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Generally, can this only be done if the school offers it on a tour or can I just do it whenever or with permission from the professor?

contact admissions and they'll either set it up for you or instruct you to contact profs directly. Don't just show up, but you can sit in on a class outside of a tour, definitely.

from a practical matter, don't do it bro. it doesn't add anything. well, maybe it'll be masturbatory and you'll calm down a little but i don't know what else you'll get out of it.

I did it, but only when I knew students at the school/in that class and they told the prof that I was going to be there.

Professors won't say shit. Just sit down if there are open seats.

Can't imagine having the desire to do so, admittedly.

olikatz wrote:Generally, can this only be done if the school offers it on a tour or can I just do it whenever or with permission from the professor?

Yeah, totally. I would email or call admissions and ask them to set something up for you. I sat in on a class and it really helped calm some nerves about classes. If they allow prospective students to sit in, which they almost always do, they would set it up for you in terms of picking the class, telling the professor, and then escorting you to the class and introducing you to the professor before instruction begins.

When I went in, they provided me with a folder with info about the school as well as lined paper to take notes during the class. Make sure to ask if they provide it for you, they should, or if you need to bring a pen/tiny notebook with you during the class so you can note stuff down. Its awkward just sitting there for two hours, so taking notes helps.

tinyvessels wrote:

olikatz wrote:Generally, can this only be done if the school offers it on a tour or can I just do it whenever or with permission from the professor?

Yeah, totally. I would email or call admissions and ask them to set something up for you. I sat in on a class and it really helped calm some nerves about classes. If they allow prospective students to sit in, which they almost always do, they would set it up for you in terms of picking the class, telling the professor, and then escorting you to the class and introducing you to the professor before instruction begins.

When I went in, they provided me with a folder with info about the school as well as lined paper to take notes during the class. Make sure to ask if they provide it for you, they should, or if you need to bring a pen/tiny notebook with you during the class so you can note stuff down. Its awkward just sitting there for two hours, so taking notes helps.

There was a guy during ASW who was taking notes during a mock class. I still don't get it.

pancakes3 wrote:from a practical matter, don't do it bro. it doesn't add anything. well, maybe it'll be masturbatory and you'll calm down a little but i don't know what else you'll get out of it.

I disagree if you go to a couple schools it allows you to see the different teaching styles, class climates, and you get to speak with the students candidly (in my experience at least).

Definitely check with admissions. There's uaully a pre-set list of professors who already OKed prospective student visits.

And please don't be that person who raises his/her hand while visiting and attempt to engage in the classroom discussion.
I remember this one girl that was in my visiting group to Penn last (came with her mom), who raised her hand and attempted to answer a question that the profesor asked the 100+ student lecture hall. Everyone was like.....wtf

Thelaw23 wrote:
There was a guy during ASW who was taking notes during a mock class. I still don't get it.

I mean, I wasn't in a mock class so it's kind of different. I wasn't taking any substantial notes or anything. It just helps to have something to do for two hours besides just sitting there and listening when you don't have any prior knowledge of a topic, even if it is just to doodle lol

I wonder if sitting in on a class would help with a "why X" statement. I don't see why not.

I've done it on almost every tour I've been on (3 out of 4) and I generally enjoy doing that better than being on tour w/ 10 other people