If cramped dorm rooms and classrooms seem more crowded than usual this week, blame it on the '09s. Prospective students for the Class of 2009 began arriving on campus Wednesday afternoon for this year's Dimensions program, which will continue through Saturday.
Approximately 450 of the 1752 students accepted in the regular decision admissions pool are expected to converge on Hanover during the next few days. The 397 students admitted early decision are not invited to attend Dimensions.
The Admissions Office's Spring Programming Interns Caroline Kerr '05 and Russell Lane '06 have spent the past few months organizing Dimensions' schedule of events. As the thick packet containing the Dimensions schedule exhibits, opportunities are numerous for prospective '09's looking to learn more about the College. The program began with a kick-off barbeque last night in Alumni Gym, one of the program's many free food occasions. The rest of the events will consist of specified information sessions conducted by departments and organizations, as well as library tours and time to visit classes.
Events include "Dartmouth's Hidden Treasures Tour" and "After Dark: Legends, Tales and Love of Dartmouth", the latter of which will meet on the Green for an evening stroll of the campus.
"There's more programming than ever this year and the most student groups are involved," Lane said.
While the planned activities provide information about concrete aspects of the College, many prospectives attend Dimensions in order to get a feel for the school's atmosphere, which often cannot be discerned from admissions handouts and mailings.
"I came just to experience the genuine Dartmouth experience and not just to attend a student discussion," said prospective '09 Andrea Haas.
Experiencing the authentic Greek social environment may be difficult, as some Greek houses are taking precautions to prevent '09s from attending parties this weekend. Chi Gamma Epsilon fraternity is opting to shut down their house this weekend, replacing dance parties with house upkeep to ensure an under-aged drinking incident does not occur.
Dimensions weekend proved to be a deciding factor for a number of current Dartmouth students when they were choosing which college to attend. Brian DeGrazia '08 appreciated both the program's planned events and students' hospitable attitude.
"Being here for three and a half days you just see how friendly and helpful the upperclassmen are, and pretty much the deciding factor was the welcome show they had for us," DeGrazia said, referring to the annual student-performed welcome show, which many others cite as a memorable Dimensions experience.
Dartmouth's rural location can be considered a disadvantage for some prospective students, but this weekend the weather is cooperating to help Dartmouth put its best foot forward for the '09s. Sunny weather will prevail through Friday night, allowing ample time for the outdoor activities that Dartmouth embraces.
