Hundreds of unfamiliar faces ventured into the Bowdoin bubble Monday for a unique chance to truly experience the College. Prospective students and their families could be seen around campus in classrooms, dining halls and on the Quad. While visitors are nothing new to the College, these prospective students were special. They all hailed from Maine.
The annual Bowdoin College Maine Day kicked off early Monday morning as prospective students streamed into Daggett Lounge for registration and then proceeded to their classes. This year, 139 juniors and seniors, along with their families, attended the event.
Sydney Rivero '12 and the other Bowdoin volunteers greeted the visitors, answered any questions they had, and tried to make them feel welcome.
"I think it's really important for people in the area to have an opportunity to come here and feel welcome and talk to students as opposed to maybe just coming here on their own and walking around but not getting to meet anyone," said Rivero. "This is a lot more welcoming environment."
President Barry Mills gave a speech to greet the prospective students in which he encouraged them to meet people around campus and ask them questions. Later, they attended classes, tours and speeches on the admissions process and financial aid.
Assistant Dean of Admissions Emily Parker was in charge of the event for her second year in row. The native Mainer and Bowdoin alum works with the College in its mission to attract Maine students, who might not think to consider a school in their own state.
"I know for a lot of Maine students, Bowdoin feels very close. It is in their background. The challenge is getting Maine students to see Bowdoin as viable an option as any other small liberal arts college that's located somewhere else," said Parker.
High school students are informed of Maine Day through their schools, by e-mail as well as mailed pamphlets. Maine Day takes place when many high school seniors are narrowing down their college choices and beginning their applications.
The College admitted 61 Maine students to the Class of 2013, many of whom had attended Maine Day.
For South Portland High School senior, Chad Macleod, Maine Day was the perfect time to get a better sense of Bowdoin. He said he been on campus several times and took a tour this summer. While he "liked the atmosphere" during his previous visits, this was another chance to get a better feel for the school, he said.
Maine Day might also help influence students, like high school senior Allison Fisher, who are unsure if Bowdoin College would be a good fit for them.
"When I was more into business I thought about going to Bowdoin, but now I'm looking at foreign languages, so I'm looking at other schools.But Bowdoin is still high on my list," said Fisher.
The College takes into consideration geographic diversity, like anyother type of diversity, in the admissions process, but Maine is particularly special to the College, according to Parker.
"I think all students choose Bowdoin for different reasons, but I think Maine can be and often is one of those reasons," said Parker. "We are recognizing that and how much character Bowdoin derives from the state of Maine and the people of Maine and Brunswick. We really try to make sure that the College is taking care of its own backyard."