About 500 extra students wandered around campus last week, comparing admissions-brochure pictures to the realities of breakfast in Collis Cafe and an 8:45 a.m. class in Dartmouth Hall.
These prospective students were invited to "Experience Dartmouth," a program designed by the Admissions Office for those admitted to the Class of 2002.
The week-long program included student and faculty information panels, mock language drill sessions, ice cream socials and entertainment. Daily event schedules also informed students about various aspects of the College, from softball games to Chamber Singers' rehearsals, as well as lectures on pathology and concerts at the Hopkins Center.
Unlike the prospectives who visit earlier in the year, participants in "Experience Dartmouth" week have already been admitted. Associate Director of Admissions Christine Pina said that during their stay, students "really get a chance to re-focus and assess the College through a different lens."
Although the College prohibits it, several prospectives said they attended fraternity parties over the weekend.
"The frats reminded me of high school times 10," said Sara Nadel, a prospective student from New Haven, Conn.
But Nadel said she had expected the emphasis on the Greek system for social activity. She said she felt that lack of activities in Hanover induced drinking in general, but did not specifically lead students to the Greek system.
Jean Simeon, of New York City, said the Greek role in social activity was "overwhelming."
"But at least the alcohol was free," he said.
Current students hosted the prospective '02s overnight in their residence hall rooms. The prospectives were matched with hosts according to their interests.
The week's events were structured around three major overnight stays, from Monday to Tuesday, Friday to Saturday and Saturday to Sunday.
The Admissions Office recruits host students from organizations such as the Green Key and Afro-American Societies, but any student from any class can volunteer.
Pina said most students arrive with at least one parent or relative and then spend time on their own with hosts. The majority of the large group tours actually consist mainly of '03s with their families, while '02s tend to take individualized tours with their host students.
The visiting high school seniors used their stays last week to help them in making the choice that will affect the next four years of their lives.
The College's rural location will factor into many prospectives' final college decisions. "Being in the middle of nowhere is not the most exciting," Nadel said.
Brian Webster of New Jersey said his decision between Dartmouth and Columbia University will essentially be "the country versus the city."
Derek Nee of New York said he was concerned about New Hampshire's harsh winters. "I don't know if I can take them," he said. But his levels of comfort and happiness at the College will be the most important factor in his final decision, Nee said.
Kara Arsanault, a prospective from Northcreek, N.Y., is comparing Dartmouth with her other top-choice school, Middlebury College, which two of her older sisters attend. Arsanault had a chance to visit both a poetry class and an environmental studies class during her stay, and spent two nights on campus with a senior and freshman hosts.
Professors aware of prospectives in their class sometimes made the effort to welcome the visitors to campus. Kobby Ession, a prospective from New Jersey, said Mathematics Professor John Mackey took him and other prospectives to lunch at the Hanover Inn.
Webster said he was impressed when English Professor Peter Cosgrove took the time to discuss literature with him after he observed Cosgrove's satire class.
In addition to the College's academic programs, Beau McCoy of Long Island said "the [Dartmouth Plan] is great because it allows students to get away two or three times" to study or pursue internships.
