President Michael Roth has just announced a new plan to make attending Wesleyan more affordable!!!

We’ve been excited about Roth since he was named to the Presidency – he has gone out of his way to listen to student voices. His blog has given us access to his thoughts, and has allowed us to give him immediate feedback. He has visited us in our homes, eaten in our dining halls, gone to our events, and played with his dog on the green in front of College Row. Now, on the eve of his Inauguration, he has started to make some lasting changes, with real repercussions for the next generation of Wesleyan students.

From the article:

“Beginning with the first-year class enrolling in the fall of 2008, most students whose total family incomes are $40,000 per year or less will receive an aid package that substitutes grants for any loan obligation. Beginning with the same class, all other students who receive aid will graduate with a four-year total loan indebtedness reduced by an average of 35 percent. ”

Also, see The Argus’ take on it here.

As Roth himself put it:

“Access to a Wesleyan education for students from all backgrounds has long been one of the core values of this community. It remains one of our highest priorities.”

Go Wes!

Jacqueline Chapman ‘08
Senior Interviewer

• Bring a notebook with you. When you get back in the car after each school, it’s a good idea to take a few notes on your opinions of the school, while it’s still fresh in your memory. That way, in a few months, you can look back at all these notes and see what you thought about each school.
• Ask about housing. A lot of schools will have a model dorm room set up to give an example of how a freshman would live, but that doesn’t mean that all students live in rooms like that. Housing is often quite varied based on your class year or even what area of campus you live on, so ask about all the housing options.
• Observe the students on campus. This might be harder to do in the summer, but try to get a feel for the student atmosphere on campus. Do the students seem happy and engaging? Or do they all look like they haven’t left the library for two weeks?
• Picture yourself at the school. Could you see yourself going to the school for the next four years? Do you think you’d be happy there? Keep in mind that you’re not going to college right at the moment, but want a place where you’ll still be happy in four years.
• Think about what feels right for you. You’re going to hear a lot of opinions and suggestions from your parents, friends, teachers, guidance counselors, etc. but ultimately, where you go to college should be your decision. It’s your education and you need to try and find the place where you will be most happy, have the best experience, and learn the most.

Jeff Wong ‘08
Senior Interviewer

• First of all, relax. The interview is a very informal conversation. We will not be trying to trick you into saying the wrong thing or asking you questions you would find on an AP test. We simply want to know what you do in and out of school, and more importantly, why?
• Be proud of your accomplishments. The more enthusiastic you are about your activities, the more enthusiastic we will be. This is not a time to be overly modest. If you are captain of your tennis team, tell us. If you made it to a national debate tournament, tell us!
• It will be to your advantage to do a little research about Wesleyan. The more specific your questions are to Wesleyan, the more useful our answers will be. This doesn’t mean you have to know exact statistics. Simply read some of the prospective student literature, look through the admission website, or just read this blog! Another way to know a little bit about Wesleyan is to go on a campus tour or information session before your interview. Again, none of this is required, it is simply to your advantage. Knowing something about Wesleyan will also prove to us that you are enthusiastic and curious about Wesleyan.
• Be honest.
• Reflect on some of the most important experiences you’ve had. Think back on what has had the largest impact on you and why. These experiences often make the most interesting answers to our questions.
• Look presentable. This doesn’t mean wear your prom dress or a tuxedo. Just show us that you aren’t stopping by for an interview after soccer practice. We want to see that you are serious about Wesleyan and about the interview. Skirts are not required for girls, and boys, you don’t need a tie. Just wear clean, presentable clothes and we will be happy.
• Really take advantage of your interview. Remember that this is your chance to fill in your application with any explanations or qualifications you think are important. If your grades suffered during your sophomore year, explain why. Tell us what you think we need to know in order to understand your accomplishments in the context of your high school and personal life.
• Above all, be enthusiastic!

Hope that helps. The interview is really not something to be worried about. However, if you are extremely nervous about interviewing or feel your accomplishments would not be conveyed well in an interview, you don’t have to do one.  The interviews are completely optional. 

If you do decide to do an interview, best of luck.  If you are coming to campus, we look forward to meeting you!

Hannah Junkerman ‘08
Senior Interview