Wesfest is almost here, and with it come gaggles of prefrosh. 2,201 students were admitted, and hundreds of them will be here this week. Here’s what we know about them so far.
According to the Argus, this is the most demographically diverse pool of admitted students ever, both racially and geographically. Over a third of them are students of color, with 237 African-American, 233 Hispanic or Latino, 290 Asian-American and 21 American Indian or Alaska Native students admitted. And that doesn’t count international students, who make up a decently high 6% of those admitted (down from last year’s historical high of 7%) – meaning that at least 40% of the class of 2013 is likely to not be white.
The majority of admitted students are from the Northeast U.S. (big surprise), but there are also many more from the South this year, and some more from the West Coast.
They also seem to be more diverse in academic interests. 85% of admitted students indicated interest in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) departments, as opposed to 68% of students in the class of 2012 who did.
UH OH, they will be boring! Kidding, I am a science major being facetious. Besides, even if you are appalled by this NSM encroachment, these kids are young and impressionable. The Sociology, English, Art Studio, etc. departments will have plenty of time to woo these kids once they get here and lose faith in empirical knowledge after learning some critical theory, or whatever.
Judging from the very high interest in Wesleyan this year, Wesfest will probably be even more packed than usual. Last year at least 530 students from the class of 2012 attended, and I’d guess significantly more from ’13 will show up this year, waiting to be impressed (unless they applied ED, in which case they already have been).
Demographics aside, many of the admits seem to have made up their minds already. The Office of Admissions actually created a Facebook group for admitted students, which is weird (and probably means discussions like this one from last year are a bad idea), but it’s already got 667 members and some active discussing. Members of the class of 2013 also created a Mix CD Exchange group, which is adorable.
So it seems like a promising bunch. Prepare for the onslaught, and if you come across wandering groups with red knapsacks, show them what Wes is all about. If you haven’t signed up to host prefrosh yet, you can still do so here. It’s a good time, do it!
Argus: University Expects Increased Diversity, Science Interest in Class of 2013
Yeah, 85% people interested in science doesn’t mean 85% of people majoring in sciences. It means that 85% of the people applying have expressed some interest in science, even if they’re not necessarily going to major in it. This is a good thing.
Keep in mind that of that 85%, a lot of them are also probably interested in Humanities and Social Science departments. A lot of them will probably end up not being science majors.
It’s just that they’re at least open to the possibility of being a science major, which is awesome – more students should be so academically open-minded and not automatically write off the sciences.
Keep in mind that of that 85%, a lot of them are also probably interested in Humanities and Social Science departments. A lot of them will probably end up not being science majors.
It’s just that they’re at least open to the possibility of being a science major, which is awesome – more students should be so academically open-minded and not automatically write off the sciences.
Keep in mind that of that 85%, a lot of them are also probably interested in Humanities and Social Science departments. A lot of them will probably end up not being science majors.
It’s just that they’re at least open to the possibility of being a science major, which is awesome – more students should be so academically open-minded and not automatically write off the sciences.
Keep in mind that of that 85%, a lot of them are also probably interested in Humanities and Social Science departments. A lot of them will probably end up not being science majors.
It’s just that they’re at least open to the possibility of being a science major, which is awesome – more students should be so academically open-minded and not automatically write off the sciences.
85% math/science kids? Wtf? What is this, MIT?
85% math/science kids? Wtf? What is this, MIT?
85% math/science kids? Wtf? What is this, MIT?
85% math/science kids? Wtf? What is this, MIT?
that’s the idea, but not the reality. most hispanic whites by your definition do not live as white or identify as white. they mark hispanic and ‘other’ when given the chance.
that’s the idea, but not the reality. most hispanic whites by your definition do not live as white or identify as white. they mark hispanic and ‘other’ when given the chance.
that’s the idea, but not the reality. most hispanic whites by your definition do not live as white or identify as white. they mark hispanic and ‘other’ when given the chance.
that’s the idea, but not the reality. most hispanic whites by your definition do not live as white or identify as white. they mark hispanic and ‘other’ when given the chance.
Thank you for explaining race to us, John.
Thank you for explaining race to us, John.
Thank you for explaining race to us, John.
Thank you for explaining race to us, John.
Your commentary is technically incorrect. White is a racial classification, as are various others you mention. However, Latino/a and Hispanic are ethnically and culturally derived. You can be white and be Hispanic and/or Latino. That is why race is a whole different box.
Your commentary is technically incorrect. White is a racial classification, as are various others you mention. However, Latino/a and Hispanic are ethnically and culturally derived. You can be white and be Hispanic and/or Latino. That is why race is a whole different box.
Your commentary is technically incorrect. White is a racial classification, as are various others you mention. However, Latino/a and Hispanic are ethnically and culturally derived. You can be white and be Hispanic and/or Latino. That is why race is a whole different box.
Your commentary is technically incorrect. White is a racial classification, as are various others you mention. However, Latino/a and Hispanic are ethnically and culturally derived. You can be white and be Hispanic and/or Latino. That is why race is a whole different box.
ah, the cd exchange.
ah, the cd exchange.
ah, the cd exchange.
ah, the cd exchange.