@byline: Anyone who has ever walked around at 8 a.m. knows the Quad is all but deserted at that hour. But yesterday the crisscrossed paths between Bendetson and Ballou Halls were overrun by accepted high school seniors and eager, chattering parents. Approximately 550 prospective students attended yesterday's events, which kicked off Admissions' annual April Open House (AOH). Festivities will run through the weekend, giving hundreds of prospective students a personal presentation of the Tufts experience and the atmosphere on the Hill.
This weekend prospective students also have the opportunity to participate in the Student of Color Outreach Program (SCOPE). The program offers students of color the opportunity to meet with culture groups, the heads of culture houses, and faculty members of color during their trip to Tufts.
Over 300 high school seniors registered to stay overnight with a student host, and Dean of Admissions David Cuttino expects anywhere between 1,800 and 2,000 students to visit campus throughout the weekend. He said attendance this year is "comparable or larger than previous years."
Current Jumbos have felt the buzz around campus, and many have devoted time to make the experience of prospective students and their parents complete. "It's an eager crowd," said sophomore Josh Belkin, who helped to register students and parents for morning tours. "There is a new nervousness about being on campus for the first time, but for the most part, the pressure is off - they're already in!"
Admitted students began their AOH experience at Bendetson Hall, where they registered for tours and collected materials provided to guide them around campus and inform them of small panelist sessions. Throughout the morning, students and parents could learn about the different academic departments by attending presentations by professors, and could find out about various campus opportunities including sports, the arts, and culture clubs.
Some visitors said they were most impressed with the atmosphere hovering about campus. "It all looks nice and peaceful here," said John Liu of Boxborough, MA, who stayed Tuesday night in Wren Hall. "Everyone is really friendly," he said.
The Admissions department provides overnight opportunities in order to familiarize admitted students more intimately with Tufts life. While students wishing to stay overnight had to register with Admissions so Tufts hosts could be matched and arranged, students only attending daytime events did not need to register. Cuttino said he thought all students who expressed interest in staying overnight had been accommodated.
Some students have expressed satisfaction with the diversity of Tufts' student body. "I'm very impressed that Tufts is so diverse," said Alex, a high school senior from Miami who stayed overnight in Tilton Hall. After having visited Boston College (BC) and Georgetown, she concluded that Tufts' diversity makes the University unique.
Not all visitors are experiencing Tufts for the first time, but even those already familiar with the campus said they discovered new aspects of the University that gave them stronger feelings of warmth and intimacy.
"Tufts has the advantage of being a big university, but, unlike places like BC, it seems to exemplify the closeness of a small college," said admitted senior Taline, whose father is a professor in the Math department.
Taline's mother Laura, who accompanied her on the tour today, had equally praiseworthy remarks. "I love Tufts. The students, faculty, and administrators are very connected and are very positive. It's a friendly atmosphere."
A number of the students attending AOH expressed interest in taking a pre-med path at Tufts, citing biology and psychology as enticing areas of study. Others said they are considering international relations, previously the most popular major among graduating seniors, as a possible major. Still others cited the Tufts-Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) Collaboration Program as a driving force behind their interest in the University.
AOH has been held in some form for more than 20 years, and has been in its current form for approximately 15, Cuttino said. This year Student Outreach had over 700 participants, whose efforts culminate in AOH and SCOPE. Cuttino lauded the students' energy and creativity in making the weekend "a very productive experience for students and parents able to attend."
Wednesday's clear skies facilitated Admissions' planned events. Prospective students were invited to indulge themselves in pleasantries as small as brown and blue jelly beans and as large as the Tisch Rooftop Caf?©.
