<p>I have the opportunity to meet the dean of admissions at my number one choice at a semi-private gathering. I am applying early admission to this Ivy League school. I will meet him next month. I am trying to think of a way to be memorable..without sucking up. If you had this opportunity, what would you say?</p>
<p>If you have a sincere question then ask it. Otherwise, are there profound philisophical issues going on with his/her college’s admissions program? Ask about that, if you can determine what they might be. Otherwise be yourself. Know in advance that this meeting is informational for the public, not a chance for him/her to evaluate possible applicants. Don’t expect to leave such an impression.</p>
<p>The Dean is there for a reason. They will probably try to differentiate their school from their competition - all the other Ivy’s - so facilitate that and ask them how and why they are different, and why you should go to their school vs alternative(s).</p>
<p>Thank you guys, those are both great ideas! If anyone has any other suggestions please let me know.</p>
<p>nugraddad, I’d wager that the dean’s purpose in visiting is slightly different.</p>
<p>I bet he or she is not particularly trying to convince students who already have their sights set on Ivies that they should go to Penn instead of Columbia, or whatever. Rather, I expect the dean is going on the road to convince students who think they could never get in, or could never pay for it if they did get in, that they really ought to apply.</p>
<p>Personally, I think asking more or less, “Why should I go to Penn instead of Columbia or Chicago?” is a little presumptuous. But I also think it doesn’t matter too much because, as has been said, the Dean really won’t be there to evaluate applicants anyway.</p>
<p>To clarify, the dean’s visit is to meet with a small-ish (i’d say about 40) group of adults in a private home and give an informal talk about the state of his college’s admissions. I’m sure there will be another kid or two there, but probably not a bunch.</p>
<p>Listen to what he has to say. If his presentation prompts an insightful, intelligent question from you, then you should ask it.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>@OP: If you don’t mind sharing with the group, which school are you meeting up with? For instance, if its Penn, maybe speak about Ben Franklin? If it’s Harvard, perhaps Bill Gates/the idea of Facebook? Just nice things to think about.</p>
<p>^But both Bill Gates and one of the creators of facebook dropped out of Harvard. Bill Gates also hates Harvard, so why mention him?</p>