April Is for Admits
Admitted students Elaine McDaniel (Pittsburgh), Kiefer Green (Maryland) and Sophia Jankins (New York City) were excited to spend the day getting to know future classmates, attending engaging classes and posing for photos! Photo by Carl Socolow '77.
Opportunities abound this month for students admitted to and enrolled in the class of 2018
by Lauren Davidson
The college acceptances have come in, and now it’s decision time for high-school seniors across the country and around the world. Dickinson offers a number of opportunities throughout the month of April for the potential members of the class of 2018 to determine whether this is the place they will call home for the next four years.
Today’s Made-to-Order program kicked off a series of on-campus visit days, and 47 admitted students and their families were greeted enthusiastically in Anita Tuvin Schlechter auditorium by Stephanie Balmer, dean of admissions and vice president for enrollment, marketing & communications. After congratulating them on being admitted to the class of 2018, she explained, “Our task is this—we have selected you. Now we hope you choose us. Today will provide a framework of what you can expect as part of our community, and we believe deeply that your contributions will make this community stronger.”
Balmer then introduced Student Senate president and political-science and history major Will Nelligan ’14, who offered his perspective as a graduating senior. He spoke passionately about the power of student ideas being put into action for the betterment of the campus and the wider world, about the academic opportunities and partnerships that can be discovered when you dig more deeply, and about the incredible alumni who offer examples of the unconventional outcomes and game-changing opportunities that are possible.
"The world is big. Its challenges are great,” he concluded. “But a small group of people can always make a difference. And with the right tools, and a Dickinson degree, you can be part of that.”
Following the opening session, students headed to various classes that they had pre-selected and to a student Q-and-A panel, while their parents heard from the provost and dean of the college and representatives from the Career Center. The families reconnected for lunch in the Dining Hall and spent the afternoon touring the campus before a closing session at the Waidner Admissions House.
What’s next?
Accepted students and their families will continue to connect with the college at a number of on- and off-campus events that offer opportunities to meet classmates, alumni, faculty and administrators. On-campus gatherings include the Admitted Student Preview Day on April 12 and additional Made-to-Order programs on April 9 and 16. (Registration is available through the Applicant Portal.)
Off-campus events range from big-city venues to private residences in locations including Baltimore, Boston, Central New Jersey, Chicago, Washington, D.C./Northern Virginia (2), Los Angeles, New York City, Northern New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland (Maine), San Francisco, Seattle and Westchester, N.Y.
The Dickinson community also is reaching out to admitted students to welcome them and offer advice, stories and wisdom to help in the decision-making process, from the Celebrate & Congratulate postcard signing event to e-mail and phone outreach by faculty members and alumni.
Additional News Features
Class of 2018 Resources
Published April 2, 2014