Driving the effort on Admitted Students Day on April 11th was bagels, coffee, popcorn and a beautiful, sunny day. Prospective students flooded Sarah Lawrence College in effort to finalize their decisions about their future college education. It was quite an event. The food was better, people spoke up more in classes, and faculty went out of their way to accommodate both current and prospective students. Parents remained close to their kids as they toured the campus. This was all fairly normal. What stuck out was not the prospective students, but the large rodent on Glen Washington Street facing the admitted students’ tent.
The huge blown up rat for the workers’ rally was hard to miss as admitted students and curious parents explored the campus. Many didn’t think much of it. But some current students thought the rally’s timing was uncalled for, while some thought it was needed.
Student Natalie Raskin ’19 said, “I think it’s important for incoming students to really know about the school, not just about the amenities offered to them but about the lives of the workers behind the counters. I’m glad that the rally was held that day so that these kids don’t think Sarah Lawrence is some flawless haven.”
If the students really want to go to Sarah Lawrence, it's important to see the students in action over a cause important to them. Another good indicator of the feel of SLC is the classes. I had five prospective students in my literature class. They seemed very nervous. My teacher acted differently as he talked up many of the current students and changed the structure of the class. The current students spoke up more and conversation was livelier than it usually was. It's important for the admitted students to see current students in their natural habitat—the seminar classroom.
Although I was unable to attend Admitted Students Day at SLC when I was a prospective student, I attended one hosted at Boston University. I find it incredible that although so many students are trying so hard to get into college, the colleges are trying so hard to get students to come to their school.
*A note to prospective college freshmen: be warned, the schools may not be all that they seem on your many Admitted Students Days. They need you as much as you need them.
