In an attempt to solve the growing problem of a steadily declining Native American college population, one summer program recently invited 50 Native American high-school students to receive an in-depth workshop about the college application process.
College Horizons, a five-day institute hosted at Carleton College this year, boasted representatives from 21 of the country's most selective colleges, including Dartmouth.
The program aimed to teach students how to search for colleges, write an attention-grabbing essay, produce an impressive resume of academic and extracurricular achievements, master an interview and fill out financial aid forms among other activities. Dartmouth representatives accompanied other universities such as Harvard, Yale, Cornell, Stanford and Macalester.
Dartmouth even served as College Horizons' host for five days in summer of 2002, accommodating 52 Native American high school juniors and seniors.
"It was the first time we hosted the group on campus. It was a good effort," Director of Minority Recruitment James Washington said. "We had admissions staff involved and helping to coordinate the program. Admissions officers from around the country came to lend their expertise."
Dartmouth funded nearly half of the event's $30,000 costs, yet the College has not since hosted the summer initiative.
"It's fairly unusual to host it year after year. I believe Washington University in St. Louis has been a fairly constant host site," Washington said. "Colleges can go out with bids and become host sites, but there is a review process determining who will be accepted. There is a significant financial investment involved. There is a significant amount of human resources involved to make it successful."
In addition to sending a representative to the Horizons program, Dartmouth hosts its own event targeting talented Native American high-school seniors. Each fall, the Native American Fly-In selects nearly 50 students from across the country, covering the costs of airfare, housing and food. The program will take place from Oct. 14 to 17 this year, introducing students to the College as well as its application process.
"I stayed with an '04 and took a campus tour, had an interview, and a dinner with Jim Washington," Clarissa Yatsattie '06, a 2002 participant, said. "Hanging out with the Native community is what really got me excited and made me want to come."
The College tries to attract prospective Native American students during the Fly-In due to their already small representation within the College's applicant pool.
"They encourage you to apply to Dartmouth even though you are not guaranteed to get in, but most people do. Maybe 8 or 10 went to Dartmouth," Kathryn McEvoy '06, a 2002 participant, said.
During the Fly-In, high school students witness the array of College support for its Native American students.
"We provide personal and academic counseling. We provide information on resource centers on campus and distribute information to students such as using their primary or native language as their language requirement," Julie Ratico of the Native American Program said.
The Fly-In program demonstrates to the participants the ways in which the College assists Native American students who -- like many minority groups -- experience declining retention rates.
"They offer free tutoring with career services," McEvoy added. "The point is to get Native students to come and show them a community that will provide support so that they will be able to finish college."
Exceeding well beyond the nation's diminishing rate, Native Americans comprise 3 percent of the College's student population -- the highest in the Ivy League. Originating with the College's founding principle of striving "for the education and instruction of Youth of the Indian Tribes in this Land," Native Americans remain a highly targeted minority group in the College's admissions office.
"Outstanding talent is found across populations, and that certainly includes Native American students," Washington said. "In addition to their academic experience, the life experiences and perspectives they have add to the College."
