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I am applying to PhD programs admissions in Fall 2020. I have been talking with someone who just finished a PhD at a Top 50 program and he recommended visiting the school and meeting with some faculty members (to discuss the program and their research). Is this a good idea? To what extent could it hurt or help my application? (Is this different from the question regarding fly outs?)

Hey Y'all, After I've received such prompt and nice feedback on my last post I thought I'd try one more time. I have a visiting day coming up and am wondering what to expect. I was told I'll get a schedule shortly before and generally will meet with a bunch of faculty, the grad-students, and get a campus tour. Now this is a pre-offer visit and there'll be more applicants than spots. I'm wondering what to prepare for...I guess I'll be ready for the standard questions that might be asked/might come up (although I was told that the faculty meetings wouldn't be real interviews). Otherwise I'm just going to read up a little bit on the research that the people I'm meeting with are doing. Is there anything I'm missing here? Also I'm trying to come up with a list of questions to ask both faculty and grad students over there to figure out whether I'd be a good fit. What kind of questions would be good to ask? What questions do you wish you had asked back when you were in my situation? Any help is highly appreciated. I'm very excited. Thanks so much y'all P.S.: I couldn't find a major thread in which all of this information is gathered, but if there is one it might be good to link it on the "important past threads" post.

Hi everybody! I am going to Chicago's flyout (on April 4), but I was thinking that it would be useful to build a TM group in order to visit Northwestern on another day. I know that many of you facing the same dilemma probably choose to visit NU instead. Anyway, in case anyone is in the same situation ... Maybe on April 2? What do you say? I'm not sure but I presume that being a group let the Department provide more resources (a few current students, faculty members, etc....).