Around 350 admitted students attended the third Dimensions program, associate admissions director Katherine Madden said. The two-day event consisted of academic showcases, student panels, nighttime tours, club events and the annual student-organized show. The Dimensions program was altered significantly from previous years to span three April weekends and contained additional programming. At the show, current freshmen did not pose as prospective students.
Dean of admissions and financial aid Maria Laskaris said the College tried to fit as many events as possible in the two-day program without compromising the basic structure of Dimensions.
Laskaris said the events aimed to allow prospective students to attend classes, spend time with hosts and other undergraduates and meet other prospective students.
Various student groups hosted events for prospective students, including an event hosted by the Pan-Asian community and a “Voces Nuestras” panel with members of the Latina and Latino community.
At the second annual event on Dartmouth myths, legends and realities, 40 student facilitators talked in groups with around 200 prospective students.
During a session for parents held at the same time, a panel of Office of Pluralism and Leadership representatives hosted a question-and-answer session before breaking into smaller groups.
Parents raised questions about sexual assault, Greek life alternatives and support networks at Dartmouth.
Monica Montgomery, a parent of a prospective member of the Class of 2018, said she was impressed by Dartmouth’s network of deans and advisors for students.
Jeff Choate, another parent of a prospective student, said some responses seemed to skirt around the topic, and added that he is interested in hearing more. He said, however, that he appreciated Dartmouth’s awareness of student issues.
OPAL assistant dean and LGBTQ advisor Reese Kelly said he thought the event gave parents a unique opportunity to ask questions of individuals directly involved in supporting the student experience.
A Thursday evening panel brought Sunil Bhatt ’14, Gisele Phalo ’17, Sebastian DeLuca ’14 and Priya Krishna ’13 together to discuss the opportunities they have found at the College, including doing research in the Artic and community service in Nicaragua.
Hui Cheng ’16, one of the panel’s organizers, said she felt the event was necessary to give admitted students a candid image of the College.
Around 20 admitted students attended an OPAL-hosted panel on “The Hidden Costs of Dartmouth,” during which undergraduates from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds provided anecdotes.
Prospective student Claire Apuan said that she attended because she wanted to know if she would be ostracized at the College due to her socioeconomic status.
“Coming to this event and getting to know the school really helped eliminate all those rumors publicized by the media,” Apuan said.
Prospective student Jessica Aquino said Dimensions made her decision clearer. At the “Dartmouth myths, legends, and realities” event, she said, she learned more about the “Freedom Budget” and the 2012 Rolling Stone article about fraternity hazing.
Many prospective students, she said, worry about negative media attention focused on the College.
“Finally visiting and hearing from students, a member of the ‘Freedom Budget’ and Greek life members really opened my eyes that Dartmouth is not what it seems to be as portrayed by the media,” Aquino said.
Events for parents included a reception with faculty and staff and a “Supporting Your Child” presentation that allowed parents to ask about the Dartmouth experience.
Two evening song-and-dance shows brought about 150 prospective students, Madden said. Around 30 freshman performers sang popular songs with edited lyrics telling admitted students what it means to be a Dartmouth student and to not be afraid to come to the College.
Admitted student Leonardo Placeres said he was not expecting current students to sing at the show, which he said was an innovative way to attract prospective students.
“The show put Dartmouth into a better light — it gave it a different personality and a different color,” Placeres said. “You obviously know the statistics, you know it’s a great school but after the show you feel you know more about the school besides the academics and the typical things you can find online.”
On Thursday night admitted students participated in an “After Dark” tour across campus. Later that night, they were encouraged to attend a party at Sarner Underground to meet the students who performed during the show.
Dimensions programming will conclude this afternoon.
Though the attendance was a drop from last year’s approximately 500 attendees, Laskaris said in a previous interview that around 1,000 students signed up for one of the three scheduled Dimensions.
Krishna is a former member of The Dartmouth senior staff. Kate Bradshaw contributed reporting.
