Over 250 early admitted students of the class of 2017 attended Early Admitted Students Day Monday, said Matthew Price, assistant director of admission and coordinator of the program. The number represents the largest group of early-admitted students to attend in the event’s three-year history, he added.
“Seven to eight years ago, early admitted students were allowed to attend A Day on College Hill,” Price said. But as the number of students admitted through regular decision increased, there was not enough space to host the students who were admitted early anymore, he said. He added that ADOCH is for students “who are not 100 percent” sure Brown is the right school choice, while the early-admitted students “know that Brown is the place for them.”
Price said the early admitted students event was created to make early admitted students feel “more welcome, and a part of the Brown community.”
About 400 family members were in attendance. A separate schedule was created for parents, with panels such as “Advising and the Brown Curriculum” and “Financing a Brown Education.”
Price welcomed students in Alumnae Hall with a panel that focused on academic life at Brown. On the panel were Assistant Dean of the College Mary Grace Almandrez, Associate Dean of the College Ann Gaylin, Associate Professor of History Robert Self and Manuel Contreras ’16.
Gaylin talked about with resources available for academic assistance and spoke about to the nuances of the Open Curriculum. She said the idea that there are no requirements at Brown “is true, to an extent.” Gaylin suggested students use faculty advisers as a resource and asked them to “think in the present” during their first year at Brown.
“Make decisions because it feels right in the moment,” Gaylin said. “Take a dessert class. It has no calories. It is so juicy and delicious-looking you can’t resist it.”
Almandrez spoke about resources that promote diversity, like the Third World Center and pre-orientation programs like the University Community Academic Advising Program and the Third World Transition Program. She shared a personal narrative about a time that she “never felt more alone in a sea of a thousand faces” and how she finally felt at home at the University of San Diego when she was introduced to its multicultural center, she said.
During a question-and-answer session, students raised concerns about the accessibility and feasibility of registering for classes. Students also asked about when they will be able to get in contact with their first-year advisers.
Gaylin also announced that “Beautiful Souls” by Eyal Press ’92 would be the first-year summer reading assignment.
Parents filled Salomon 101 for a panel with Associate Dean of the College Carol Cohen and two Meiklejohn peer advisors. The panelists spoke about academic advising provided for students and some of the struggles they overcame with help from their advisers and Meiklejohns.
Lisa Scaramucci P’17 said she was “very thrilled” her daughter, Amelia, had been accepted, noting this was her second time visiting Brown.
“Everyone seems so happy,” she said.
Daniel Scully P’17 said he was impressed with the resources available to students and the information provided through the panel.
“Behind the birth of my two children, the day my daughter was accepted was the third happiest day of my life,” he said.
After a campus tour, students were treated to lunch at the Sharpe Refectory. Alex Evangelatos ’17 said he was happy to see “how Brown is in a different season,” having visited the campus last April.
Students said they were eager to explore the wide range of course options available. “I can’t wait to take classes outside my concentration, like obscure history courses,” Casey Doorey ’17 said.
Some students said they were able to get to know the campus a little bit better.
“I thought I knew Brown before,” said Abraham Peterkin ’17. “But I learned a whole lot more today.”
The admission staff hosted a reception for students to get to know the admission staff members who read their applications and admitted them to the University.
“We wanted to show them that we’re not robots or grumpy old men around a table,” Price said.
The day concluded with a panel composed of undergraduate students who spoke about student life.
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