On Saturday, Nov. 12, Dickinson admissions hosted its third and final “Discover Dickinson” Open House of the fall semester. 181 students and 404 guests in total attended from twenty-one states, which, according to Admissions Director Molly Boegel, is “indicative of Dickinson’s national presence and reach far beyond its home state.” According to Boegel, all three Open Houses this fall had a larger attendance than similar events last year. November’s “Discover Dickinson Day” also served as the close of a three day, two-night fly-in program called Dickinson Discovery. Thirty-three prospective students at the open house were visiting as part of this program.

The itinerary for the day followed the same schedule as the previous two Discover Dickinson Days, with the exception of the October Program, which added preview programs in Music, Studio Art, Theater, and Dance. The November Open House began with welcoming speeches by Stefanie Niles, vice president of Communications and Interim President Neil Weissman. Following the welcome, students and families attended an academic panel providing information on their areas of interest, choosing from a panel on Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, or Arts and Humanities. Each panel featured professor and student input. Following the academic sessions, families each departed on a campus tour with a member of the Liberty Cap Society.

Next, families and prospective students were given a pass for the Dining Hall, after which they attended a panel on Student Life before closing remarks and information about admissions and financial aid, led by Catherine Davenport, dean of Admissions. During this time, pre-registered seniors participated in a group interview experience. Prospective students and families also had the option of attending a Sustainable Tour and exploring the day’s campus events, which included a piano recital and interfaith text study.

According to Boegel, many parents and students have commented on the number of campus voices they are exposed to during their visit. Students at the Open House were able to interact with professors, administrators, and a variety of students, whose perspectives Boegel believes “helps them to better locate themselves within the Dickinson community.”

Sarah Johnson, a prospective student from Phoenix, Arizona visited campus for the first time through the Discover Dickinson Program. Johnston stated that she “absolutely loved Dickinson” and is in the process of applying Early Action. She felt that the day allowed her to “sense the community on campus” and highlighted Dickinson’s emphasis on international programs, close relationship with faculty, and student focused approach. She found the Dickinson Open House program stood out from others because of the academic panels which she felt enabled her to “interact with specific students and faculty studying my area of choice.”

The Admissions Office remains busy as it begins to review its Early Decision I applications, due Nov. 15. The office will continue to host daily tours, information sessions, and interviews as well as Saturday visit programs and customized days for seniors.