<p>I got invited to several accepted students’ receptions, and today, I attended two: one for the University of Richmond, and one for Wellesley.</p>
<p>I was not seriously considering Wellesley before going to this, but now it’s back on my list. The students and alumni who attended all seemed very intelligent, well-educated, successful, and all had such poise. They spoke of wonderful experiences (studying abroad, close relationships with professors even after graduation, the sense of community among students and alumni alike, and the appeal of being near, but not in, an ideal college town) which I would hope for at any college I attend. The other accepted students also seemed like intellectual, interesting students. The reception was held in a home, and so felt intimate and welcoming. An admissions officer was present, and spoke about the accepted class of 2009 and the school in general. </p>
<p>After attending Richmond’s program, held in a nearby country club, however, I am ready to cross it off. It was not one of my top choices while applying, but getting a substantial scholarship convinced me to look further into it. I was not impressed today. Perhaps it’s the area I live in, but the families and alumni seemed to have come right out of the Stepford Wives, and the other prospective students did not seem the type to value learning for learning’s sake. While I only met about 6 or 7 other students, and so can’t speak on the school as a whole, and these I only spoke to for about 2 hours, they didn’t seem like the sort of people I find in many of my classes, or the sort I would choose to be friends with.</p>
<p>Anyway, I don’t mean to bash the school (this impression could just come from the fact that Greenwich, CT is Stepford-y to begin with), I thought I’d share my thoughts. Maybe somebody can convince me otherwise.</p>
<p>Three years ago a close family friend went to Richmond. She is from the south, a strapping lass (all-state athlete, approached while there, but had had too many injuries and wanted to preserve her body for the rest of her life), definitely not of the petite, bubbly blonde ilk, though she is quite a strikingly lovely young woman. Her parents are both university professors, her brother is in graduate school, and she is used to much conversation, debate, and discourse. Her roommate was a local URM, who spent most of her time with her local friends and family. The work was challenging, and she did well, helped by the fact that she never had a social circle to distract her. This is a person whose house and car were always full of friends and teammates. She is most entertaining and personable. At any rate, she was not happy there, but stuck it out through the year, when she transferred back to her home state. It was not a good fit for her.</p>
<p>My D had just about written off Middlebury because of the FA package, but the reception made her re-evaluate. Even though everyone there was successful, they were down-to-earth, unpretentious people, who kept calling her, urging her to come. They also gave her sound advice about the FA and how to increase it. We were so warmly welcomed, that Middlbury went up on her list, and we visited this weekend. She loved the students and they were very inviting and warm. She is still not sure if it is the right place for her, but she now feels that she could be comfortable. So, those receptions really do give you a feel for the type of person who went there, allow you to meet others from your area that were accepted, and even allow you to reevaluate your options.</p>
<p>elizabeth - it was a local thing. There were only like 5 accepted students there, so it was very personal, and I got to chat with everyone outside of the short presentation they made.</p>