Accepted Student's Day (tomorrow!)

<p>Is anybody going?!</p>

<p>ahhh can't go, sadly =(</p>

<p>but to those who end up going tmr, have fun and do tell laterr!!</p>

<p>Can't go either.</p>

<p>I'll have to wait until fall to see everyone...</p>

<p>If you know you're coming to W&L theres really no reason to come to accepted students day - its really for undecideds.</p>

<p>I'll be there. I'm still on the fence between W&L, GW, Richmond, W&M.</p>

<p>Dima, I know that you are the darling of the W&L board and indeed you have generously provided opinions on every subject. Your relationship with W&L over the last 18 months and your loyalty grows with each post. I would however, respectively disagree with your opinion that Accepted Day is ONLY or primarily for those students who are undecided. I believe it is extremely helpful (to the undecided) to have the opportunity the meet as many potential class mates as possible including ED, already decided, almost decided, financial aid undecided etc. Since you frequent this site daily then you especially are aware of the range of variables that go into a decision. Emotionally, socially and financialy the process is very, very fragile. It is possible to think that you have decided only to go to a revisit day and have second thoughts. Of course from an AD Com perspective and the way in which they tailor the presentations they are still trying the 'close the deal'. From a student and parent perspective----anything can change and still influence the final decision or for that matter CHANGE what was thought to be a decision. Even an ED who is still trying to settle the aid package--the decision is not final especially if a successful ED candidate is holding acceptances (rolling admissions) from other schools. On a lighter note, I participated in a W&L re-visit day and from my observation those who were certain that they were attending (many, many of the people that I met in fact were committed) used this opportunity to begin their cult like worship of all things W&L. I was amazed by the high number of students who were CERTAIN that W&L was a perfect match. It is very puzzling to me. In hindsight, I would say that potential students were almost being 'rushed' or at least examined for the rush process. Over the years I have attended revisit days at several NESCAC schools, Lafayette, F&M, Colgate, Dartmouth and I would say that the mix of decided, undecided etc were about the same. Bottom line, revisit days are terrific opportunities (despite the fact that they are scripted) to more closely examine the culture of the school, and that, in my opinion is always a very good thing!</p>

<p>Already decided students are welcome to attend of course. However, they will get the same thing again during orientation. I was just trying to let those who have already decided on W&L (and I don't consider you decided unless youve sent in a deposit and replied with a 'no' to other schools) know that they weren't really missing anything big by not being able to come to accepted students day - because there are always people worried that if they can't attend accepted students day, that it will impact their social life negatively when they come to W&L and that is simply not true.</p>

<p>Yeah, so, today was amazing...gorgeous weather, people in great moods, long chats with very caring and intelligent faculty, etc. etc. I love "Dubyanelle" more than ever :-D</p>

<p>

sounds exactly like what spring term is all about</p>

<p>That was rather harsh Crusty.</p>

<p>Maybe Crusty was a bit harsh, but really...is there anyone else out there who can also give their perspectives on W & L? No matter how wonderful Dima may be, it's always better to hear from more people. Dima answers every question, to the point where I asked if he was paid by the Admissions Office to do it.</p>

<p>I have been observing this site for the last few years and have followed the W&L posts for the last 2years. My daughter is currently a sophomore at W&L. I am responding specifically to TheGFB's request to hear from someone besides Dima. I agree...hearing from a variety of sources is what makes this forum so powerful and useful. I have to say, tho...I have never read a post by Dima that I thought was off the mark. He is fair, balanced and accurate as far as I can tell. I think his point of accepted students day is fair...don't sweat it if you have definitely decided on W&L. You won't miss anything except the chance to enjoy the campus for an extra day. That said, when my daughter was deciding between 2 schools, it was AT ACCEPTED STUDENTS DAY that she finally decided that W&L was the school for her. She had been agonizing for weeks and a day spent at each school proved vital. I also have a son who is a freshman (another school), so have been through the college process for 2 years running. </p>

<p>As for W&L, my daugher LOVES it! Should you have any specific questions, I'd be happy to respond if I can.</p>

<p>Of course, ASD was yesterday, so hope everyone had a terrific experience. Good luck with decisions!</p>

<p>Re: Crusty "was amazed by the high number of students who were CERTAIN that W&L was a perfect match. It is very puzzling to me."</p>

<p>What puzzles me is why this would be undesirable or difficult to comprehend. Seems like that level of connection, commitment, and excitement should be a good thing, not particularly surprising at this late stage in the admissions process, and, I suggest, compelling evidence of why W&L has been so successful year after year in developing happy students and devoted alumni. </p>

<p>I know that a certain "worship" of alma mater is something I have always identified with and admired about W&L people (having graduated from two ACC schools). There's a lot to be said for "strong chemistry" from the outset, as well as for having a lifelong passion for your college experience and friends. For those of us who were fortunate enough to go to a school we still love, our degrees represent a lifetime of belonging to a community we enjoy. </p>

<p>This is one of the big W&L pluses for my S, who is another one of those kids who went to ASD yesterday "certain that W&L is a perfect match." We could not be happier for him.</p>

<p>I would say about 1/3 of the students at the admitted student's day were EDI/II or were RD and had already paid their deposit. The definite future students juxtaposed with the undecideds really shed a nice light on the school. One thing I've sort of noticed when visiting colleges is that the students seem so much older/more mature/crazier/etc., so to see kids my own age already committed to the school definitely made the decision seem less daunting.</p>

<p>I find it ironic that I didn't want to apply ED to anywhere because I didn't want to be "bound" to a school, and now, I have to make a definitive decision. I was about 75% sure W&L was the school for me before yesterday, but meeting so many of my future classmates really helped sell the school to me. Now I'm probably 99% sure.</p>

<p>Woo!!!</p>

<p>Out of ALL the posters on the W&L board - DIMA has absolutely been the 'shining star' to all other posters who come here this year - you can just tell he has sooo much admiration for a place near and dear to his heart - and to the hearts of many others as well. There are several others who also have great insight - who post here. </p>

<p>HAHA - I remember when DIMA was the one asking the questions - many the same as what have been presented on the current board. DIMA has - so to speak - now taken the torch and is running with it - and doing a great job. It is people like him that make W&L so great!!!</p>

<p>In many ways W&L is very unique - and the students and families who have discovered this - will - as an above poster stated so nicely - be a part of a lifetime of belonging to a community we enjoy. </p>

<p>Best of luck to all of you who do decide that W&L is IT!!! You have made a great choice. And for those of you who have decided W&L is not it - best of luck where ever you decide to go - twas not meant to be.</p>

<p>I take no offense at all at any requests to hear from people other than me. I can only do/experience so many things after all, and there are many things I cannot comment on (suchas being on a specific team or sorority life). Unfortunately, people at W&L don't have a lot of time to post and while I somehow find time (it involves getting less sleep than i should), W&L students are very busy.</p>

<p>As for W&L students loving it here - one of my favorite things about W&L is that it really is a 'love it or hate it' school. We have something like a 98% retention rate. The reason I tell transfer applicants on this board that they have a difficult road ahead of them is because W&L only accepts 5 or so a year because so few students leave (at least willingly, there are a few people every year who have problems handling the adjustment at every college who leave as well as the two or three people who leave every year due to honor violations). Every student here truly loves it.</p>

<p>Well, we went to Accepted Students Day and it was great. As some of you know, my son is torn between W & L and Wake. After we left Lexington, we drove to Winston-Salem and spent a day at Wake. We met lots of students from both places, he sat in on a class at both places, etc, etc, and now I think we are all more torn than ever - they were both great! Ultimately, my son will have to choose one and then just go with it (and of course, it won't be anything but great because both choices are fabulous) but we will all be very sad about the one we left behind. It's funny, for so long you focus on the first part of the process (getting in) that you forget how hard the "choosing" part can be.</p>

<p>The people at W & L were fantastic - both my son and I agreed. Thanks to everyone who made us feel so comfortable Wednesday. I'm really not sure what his final decision will be, but I feel like he is leaning toward Wake. But then again...</p>

<p>ARGH!</p>

<p>Just my two cents - your son should go to W&L because there is no friendlier college campus on Earth! :-D</p>