Last week Harvard Business School’s Dee Leopold posted a brief update on the HBS blog, providing some news for waitlisted applicants as well as some advice for those who may apply in 2009-2010. Whether you’re anxiously awaiting news on your HBS waitlist status or your business school applications are just a twinkle in your eye right now, this brief post was especially useful.

In her update, Dee wrote:

• Our Round 1 deadline for the next application season will be earlier in October, BEFORE fall class visits are open. We encourage those of you who are thinking of applying in Round 1 to consider a class visit this spring — class visits are available until May 8. Visiting an HBS class has absolutely no impact on the application process – we just want everyone to know that you are welcome.
• We will be making more offers from the waitlist this year, and we hope to make the majority of these decisions as soon as we can – definitely before the end of May.
• International students will have access to loans without needing a U.S. co-signer. We will release details/terms on specific programs as they are finalized.

That first point is very interesting. If you apply in Round 1 this coming fall, you won’t have a chance to sit in on an HBS class before you submit your application. Therefore, even if you’re not sure that you’ll apply to HBS, if you can get to Boston this spring, it’s a good idea to schedule your visit now. Doing so — and being able to write about it in your HBS admissions essays — may give you a small but important leg up vs. other applicants next year.