“Discover Wellesley Weekend”

Wellesley College's annual Discover Wellesley Weekend attracted an unusually high number of prospective students. The event, which ran Sunday Oct. 17 through Monday Oct. 18, welcomed over two hundred high school seniors to the campus, where they were matched with current student hostesses.  The "prospies," as they're nicknamed, participated in a variety of activities, tours and panels, and experienced college life by eating in student dining halls and sleeping on students' floors.

"It's a chance for prospective students to gain a more personal and in-depth view of the college," said Joy St. John, director of admissions. "There's only so much they can learn from reading brochures and going to the website."

St. John reported that the Discover Wellesley Weekend was a success, and the event administrators admitted that this success was contingent upon the cooperation, commitment and enthusiasm of hundreds of individuals.

About one hundred and fifty current Wellesley students hosted prospective students, while faculty members gave speeches, arranged information sessions and welcomed prospies into their classes.  Alumnae and students sat on specialized panels, and campus a cappella groups performed live.  

"There was tremendous enthusiasm from the community," said Milena Mareva, associate director of admissions.  When she sent out a request for fifty extra hostesses the day before the event, she almost immediately received close to a hundred responses.  "Everybody was so willing to help out."

"We are so thankful to students and their willingness to host," added St. John on behalf of the Admissions Office, who coordinated the Discover Wellesley Weekend.  "Everybody really went out of their way to be welcoming and answer questions."

This year's group was significantly larger than last year's, although the Admissions Office doesn't yet know if this is indicative of a continued rise in Wellesley's appeal to applicants.  The students, who numbered in the two hundreds and also brought family members, came from thirty-six states and the District of Columbia.  One student traveled all the way from Alaska.

"It's so much fun," said a prospective student visiting from New Jersey.  "The campus is absolutely gorgeous and my hostess is awesome."  She added that the activities were "cool"—her favorite was the mini jazz concert at the Campus Center, where the prospective students were served cocoa and treats.

Interviewed hostesses were equally enthusiastic. "I'm really excited," said Ally Morris '14 on the eve of her prospective student's arrival.  "I want to make sure that my prospie has lots of fun.  I want her to want to come to Wellesley."

Although the Admissions Office hasn't yet received their event survey responses, representatives stated that they were pleased by the reactions of the Weekend's guests.

"Anecdotally we had a very enthusiastic response from parents and from students," said St. John.  "Several of the students who visited this weekend are considering planning on applying early decision."  She added that she spoke to several students who seemed "even more excited" about their decision to apply early decision.

There was a general sense of nostalgia amongst the senior class. This year's graduating class of 2011 is the "Golden Class," a title that will soon be passed to some of the students who were on campus this past weekend. "It's so weird to think that these prospies will be replacing us," said Lilli Johnson Moffet '11.

The Office of Admissions is coordinating several similar events throughout the fall, although the shorter Discover Wellesley days won't have as large of a turnout as the two-day event this past weekend. Prospective students can also take advantage of the option of arranging an overnight visit outside of the scheduled dates. And, of course, Spring Open Campus—the largest and most important event planned by admissions—will be in April.