Some colleges offer students who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education the opportunity to participate in free, special programming to learn more about their institution. Underrepresented populations can include students of color, students from low income backgrounds, first generation college-bound students, LGBTQ students and students from rural communities. Students (typically seniors) who are seriously considering one of the colleges below and who fall into an underrepresented category should click on any active links below or connect with their counselor for more information.
BOWDOIN COLLEGE: EXPLORE BOWDOIN
Explore Bowdoin is an all-expenses paid college visit program for high-achieving low-income and/or first-generation high school seniors. Students in our Explore Bowdoin program will meet with current students, gain support and confidence in the college admissions process, and experience the coast of Maine. Attendees will also have an admissions interview and meet individually with our student aid counselors while on campus.
Bowdoin handles all of the logistics and covers the cost of the program, including transportation to/from campus, lodging, and meals for the duration of the student's trip.
Explore Bowdoin 1: September 7-9, 2023
Explore Bowdoin 2: October 19-21, 2023
Deadline to apply: August 9
BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY: Students Exploring and Embracing Diversity (SEED)
SEED provides a space for students to explore and engage in topics of diversity and intersectional dialogue, attend faculty lectures and information sessions and participate in a mock admissions case study. The event will take place on Brandeis's campus providing an opportunity for prospective students to connect with fellow accomplished high school seniors, as well as faculty, staff, and current students at Brandeis.
Stay tuned! Information about SEED for Fall 2023 will be available in Summer 2023
BRYN MAWR: Lantern Scholars
Our Lantern Scholars fly-in program is designed to support high school seniors from historically underrepresented backgrounds including African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and First-Generation students. Lantern Scholars will be funded to travel to Bryn Mawr Saturday, September 30 – Monday, October 2 and participate in programming designed to support students in the college search and application process.
CARLETON COLLEGE: Taste of Carleton
Every fall, Carleton College sponsors a fly-in program for underrepresented senior students called Taste of Carleton (TOC). Participants in this all-expenses-paid program will be able to visit campus from Thursday, October 8 to Saturday, October 10. This is a great way for students to get a real feel for what Carleton is like, both on an academic and social level.
CASE WESTERN RESERVE: Diversity Overnight
Case Western Reserve University is currently accepting student applications for our Diversity Overnight program on Nov. 12 and 13. Applications are due by Oct. 2.
Diversity Overnight is designed for smart and curious high school seniors from diverse backgrounds, to give them an in-depth look at the opportunities available to our students. The program is currently available for high school seniors in high schools in the United States.
CLAREMONT MCKENNA COLLEGE: Fall Preview Program
An opportunity for seniors from historically underrepresented communities in higher education (first-generation American, first-generation to college, low income, rural, of Black, Indigenous, or Latinx backgrounds, etc.) to come together as a cohort and get an inside look into CMC.
DARTMOUTH COLLEGE: Dartmouth Bound Program
The Dartmouth Bound Program will take place on campus in Hanover, NH from July 16-19, 2023. The College will cover travel expenses, housing, and meals for all participants. The program is designed to provide rising seniors currently living and attending a high school in the U.S., from low-income and/or historically underrepresented backgrounds with:
- An in-depth introduction to the enduring value of a liberal arts education through Dartmouth’s curriculum and faculty
- An opportunity to stay in Dartmouth’s residence halls and connect with current student mentors
- Engaging workshops led by Dartmouth’s admissions and financial aid officers
- A series of panels led by current Dartmouth students to prepare rising seniors for college life
DENISON UNIVERSITY: Dialogue with Denison
Every year, Denison chooses a select group of prospective students to participate in Dialogue with Denison, our fully-funded fly-in program. Dialogue with Denison is a selective program that will allow your interested students to learn more about Denison in general, as well as our multicultural student life.
Dialogue with Denison fly-in program will be held October 22-23, 2023.
Students selected for the program will:
*Receive airfare to nearby Columbus, OH, transportation to and from campus, and off-campus lodging accommodations at no cost to you
*Engage in conversations led by Denison students about current issues and topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion
*Tour campus, visit classes, and learn about our academic programs
*Engage in event-exclusive programming and explore Denison student life and co-curricular opportunities
*Build connections with Denison students and fellow high school students from across the country
Applications are due Friday, September 1, and decisions will be released in early October.
HAMILTON COLLEGE: Home at Hamilton
Designed for high-achieving high school seniors in the U.S. and Puerto Rico who could not otherwise afford to visit Hamilton.
Admission to the program is selective, and students who have not already visited campus and are first-generation to college or from families with limited financial resources will be given preference.
Home at Hamilton will take place from Sunday, October 22 - Monday, October 23, 2023. Hamilton College will cover the direct expenses associated with a prospective student's visit to campus, including air or train fare to and from their home state, ground transportation to and from campus, meals during their visit, and overnight accommodations.
For students who cannot make it to campus, we are also providing a one-day virtual Home at Hamilton experience on Sunday, November 5, 2023.
Please encourage potentially interested and appropriate students to submit an online application for the in-person experience along with their unofficial high school transcript and self-reported standardized test scores (if applicable). The deadline to submit an application is Friday, September 1, 2023.
MIAMI UNIVERSITY: Bridges Program
Miami University is proud to present the Bridges Program, which was founded 40 years ago by Black students who wanted a Miami degree to be more accessible to students from diverse backgrounds and to ensure that their experiences here would be rewarding. The Bridges Program is an engaging experience that provides an inside look at Miami University to prospective students. This program invites high-achieving high school seniors from historically underrepresented populations, as well as students who have a commitment to promoting a deeper understanding of and appreciation for diversity, to engage with our current students, faculty, and staff. The program attracts students who represent various diverse identities — racial/ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity, and socioeconomic.
OBERLIN OVERNIGHT PROGRAMS:
Diversity & Access | October 26-28 and November 9-11
At Oberlin, we have long understood that diversity, in all its forms, is essential to our mission to prepare our students to confront complex issues and spark positive change in the world. This program will highlight how Oberlin welcomes and supports all students. Participants will connect with current students and faculty from diverse backgrounds and meet representatives from a variety of identity-based student organizations. Oberlin will cover the cost of transportation to and from campus for this program.
Spotlight on STEM | October 5-6 and October 12-13
Oberlin has long been a national leader in educating undergraduate scientists. Our students are encouraged to take a central role in research, working closely with faculty members and taking advantage of opportunities rivaling those found at graduate schools. Spotlight on STEM will highlight the distinctive aspects of studying scientific fields at Oberlin. Participants will connect with current students and faculty across the scientific disciplines, gain insight into research opportunities, tour lab facilities, and get an inside look into the powerful student-faculty mentorship that is a hallmark of an Oberlin education.
SMITH COLLEGE: WOMEN OF DISTINCTION
Applications are now open for Women of Distinction, our overnight, fully funded fly-in program. Intended for high school seniors, this annual event will highlight opportunities offered by Smith College for African American, Asian American, Latin American, Native American, and first generation college students. Housing, meals, and transportation to and from campus are included. We are offering two rounds of Women of Distinction:
October 13 - 14: Application deadline is June 30
November 10 - 11: Application deadline is September 15
Students will indicate on their application which program they are applying to.
(Both dates provide the same offerings.)
Participants will have the chance to connect with current Smith students, faculty, and other community members. Additional programming will include a series of panels and workshops on academics and student life.
SWARTHMORE COLLEGE: Discover Swarthmore
While the Fall 2023 program dates have not yet been finalized, we typically offer two Discover Swarthmore programs, in mid-September and late October, to give students maximum flexibility. Last fall, our on-campus programs took place during the last weekends of September and October.
During our review, the selection committee prioritizes applications from students who are:
*Underrepresented students in higher education (Black, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latinx, Middle Eastern and North African, Native Hawaiian, and Native and Indigenous American)
*First generation in their family to attend college
*Low-income students (Pell-eligible, free/reduced lunch, etc.), and students who might not otherwise be able to afford a trip to campus
*Rural and small town students
*Undocumented and DACA-eligible students
Students must be nominated. Only students seriously interested in Swarthmore should talk with their counselor.
TUFTS UNIVERSITY: Voices of Tufts Diversity Experience
Voices, our signature fly-in program, is designed to provide seniors who attend high school in the US with firsthand exposure to diversity and community at Tufts University. The Voices of Tufts Diversity Experience is designed to give high school seniors a firsthand sense of “life on the Hill” through mock classes, conversations and panels with current students, and opportunities to connect with our eight identity-based resource centers. We plan to host Voices in-person this fall.
There is no cost to participate in Voices, and all students who apply to Voices will have their admission application fee waived if they choose to apply for admission to Tufts University.
Students must be nominated. Only students seriously interested in Tufts should talk with their counselor.
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS: WASHU PREVIEW
WashU Preview is designed to connect diverse students (such as underrepresented students of color, first-generation to college students, and students from limited-income backgrounds) with our collaborative, innovative, and passionate community. Our fly-in program will be an in-person, two-night experience we are offering on two dates.
Invited students will be able to choose their preferred date when possible.
• Session 1 – Wednesday, July 26 – Friday, July 28, 2023
• Session 2 – Sunday, July 30 – Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Students are encouraged to complete the Getting to Know You form by Friday, June 2, 2023, at 11:59 pm CT to be considered.
WILLIAMS COLLEGE: Windows on Williams
The WOW application is now available for rising seniors. The WOW fly-in program provides about 150 high-achieving seniors an all-expenses-paid opportunity to visit campus and experience the Williams community. WOW is a selective program open to rising seniors in the U.S. and Puerto Rico; preference is given to high-achieving students who couldn't otherwise afford to visit Williams.
WOW participants stay in dorms with current students, attend classes, meet with professors, and learn about our admission process and our extraordinary financial aid program. Two deadlines: July 1 or August 1, and feel free to contact us with any questions.