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Yes, before the bar crawl is a good option. You want some alone time with her, don't think you'll get a lot of that at the event.
Also, just text her, "Hey there. Hope you had a good flight. Anyway, I would like to see you.. how bout I take you to (insert place and time), y'know show you around the city a bit.

"
She shouldn't refuse that, unless she's too jet lagged. In the event she is, just tell her you're coming over with some beers(?) and have a good, quiet time with her.
Basically, a first meeting at the bar crawl is NO-NO. Too many people, too much on your hands. You won't be able to give her your 100%, if you're an organizer.
I'm totally with you on this one, however what makes sense to be in passed experiences is in 4 days after coming in from a tip and before schools starts is going to be hectic, get lag, unpacking, getting ready for orientation keeping with with close friends, updating pictures on face book whatever. Personally I wouldn't go this route just because the chance of a flake is two high.
As far as meeting at the pub craw, (again this is my game that works well for me but each person is different) your in a social environmental with your friends, you meet up and spend some time with her get to know her a little things like that, introduce her to some people then move on and hangout with some other friends (don't let her get too far away but let her fallow you not the other way around) this lets her see you in a high social status situation, check in with her every now and again with some playful convo and nearing the end of the night back to her 100%
This gives her the time to watch you interact with people, you can communicate your status, be playful with other girls (don't spend time with them or game them) shows a little pre selection and you come out looking like a fun alpha.
when the night starts to die down back on her 100% now she's got the cool guy from the party on her arm and you slow things down and escalate escalate escalate.
This has worked for me in the passed but Drapers totally sound on his method too.
Best of luck