See a slideshow images from ADOCH Day 1
On a sunny Tuesday afternoon, 890 prospective students and 690 parents, including some from as far as Hong Kong and Zimbabwe, descended upon the University for A Day on College Hill, Brown's annual two-day program designed to give students and parents a taste of what life is like at Brown.
The program allows admitted students to attend Brown classes, eat in Brown dining halls, sleep in Brown dorm rooms and experience Brown firsthand. Panels, lectures, fairs and other events serve to inform and entertain students and parents.
ADOCH, which is sponsored by the Admission Office and the Bruin Club, is intended to help students decide whether Brown is the right place for them. But it was clear that Brown was also making a pitch for these admitted students to choose Brown over other institutions.
At one of the opening events in a filled Salomon 101 Wednesday evening, Director of Admission Michael Goldberger, Providence Mayor David Cicilline '83 and President Ruth Simmons welcomed the students admitted to the Class of 2009 and made clear that they wanted these students at the University next fall.
Cicilline was particularly positive in his address, promoting both Brown and the city of Providence. He recalled his time at the University fondly, and he attributed his professional success and that of many of his colleagues to a Brown education. He spoke of Providence's uniqueness and vivacity and touted it as "a city on the move."
"I really encourage you ... to take this opportunity, because (Brown) is a great university with a great faculty and a great president in a great city," Cicilline said.
Simmons, who called the Class of 2009 "the best looking class we've ever seen," invited students who were looking for a challenge to attend the University.
But as serious as the college selection process may be, ADOCH coordinators made sure to include some fun in the schedule. Two talent shows were held concurrently in Salomon 101 and Sayles Hall, showcasing a cappella groups, dance troupes, the Brown University Band and even the whistling choir. The performances received ovations from the near-capacity crowds and positive feedback from prospective first-years.
"I was very impressed with the performances," said Ryan Mott of Ithaca, N.Y. "This is the only place where you could see a whistling group."
"The a cappella groups have inspired me to maybe start singing next year," said Mark Mayes of Tampa Bay, Fla., who is deciding between Brown and Washington University in St. Louis.
The "Food with the Fellows" event was also well-attended, packing Alumnae Hall despite its 10:30 p.m. start. There, prospective students mingled with faculty fellows, current students and other members of the Brown community while enjoying free refreshments.
"It's fun and a good way to meet people," said Kate Benham, a prospective student from San Mateo, Calif.
A cappella arch sings were also scheduled for the late night, and off the official schedule, fraternity Sigma Chi attempted to persuade prospective first-years to attend an off-campus party by promoting it at ADOCH events.
Students and parents said they were impressed by Brown students, facilities and programs, as well as ADOCH itself.
Leah Rosenbaum '09 of Mount Kisco, N.Y., was admitted to Brown early, but she decided to attend ADOCH to meet her future classmates.
"I'm here because I want to meet other prospective students going to Brown and to get a better feel of the other students," she said.
Zach Shapiro of New York City said he came to ADOCH because he was still undecided between Brown and Harvard University. But he said he was "strongly leaning" toward Brown because he was impressed by its science facilities and preferred Brown's atmosphere.
"There's less stress and the perfect intensity level here," Shapiro said.
Glocester, R.I., residents Peter and Cheryl Preuite, parents of Nicole Preuite '09, said they were impressed by "the whole thing" at Brown: the campus, academics and friendliness of the community.
"This was (Nicole's) first choice and our first choice too," Peter Preuite said.
New Jersey residents Gregory and Martine Millman, parents of Anna Millman, said they liked what they had seen of Brown so far.
"I'm very impressed with the University, the independence of the students, the ability to control one's courses and the amount of trust that implies," Gregory Millman said.
The Millmans also praised the coordination of ADOCH, from the a cappella group greeting the Brown-chartered train at the Providence station to the welcoming remarks from Simmons and to the numerous panels on the ADOCH schedule.
"I don't think anyone has done this as well as Brown," Gregory Millman said.
ADOCH was organized by co-coordinators Cherie Cummings '06 and Ben Crawshaw '07 and a team of about 80 steering committee members and volunteers. Prospective students stayed in first-year dormitories Tuesday night and will have the opportunity to sit in on classes, visit academic departments and attend a campus-wide activities fair today.
