Admitted Students Day is something that almost every Delbarton student experiences at some point during his senior year. Often, these events serve as the deciding factor in where a student chooses to attend college. While they may seem like just another campus visit, these unassuming days are often quite significant. They’re carefully designed to persuade students and spark long-term interest in the school.
Though each College Admitted Students Day is unique, most follow a similar structure with common activities that help students make their final decision. One such activity is a welcome message from the college leadership—typically the president and a few current students. This is a great way for prospective students to get a sense of the community and the values the college promotes. For example, at religious institutions, this is often where the school expresses its faith background and how that foundation enhances its academic environment. At secular schools, this is where you’ll likely hear about core values and how students are encouraged to live and embody them. Before seriously considering a college, it’s important to reflect on whether you align with those beliefs and values, because they often shape much of the college experience.
Another common activity is the campus tour. Led by a current student, this walkthrough usually highlights key locations like the library, dining hall, dorms, and academic buildings. The extent of the tour depends on the college, but it’s important to remember that if you plan to live on campus, this will be your home for the next four years. Things like campus upkeep, building renovations, and the general look and feel of the school can matter more than people realize. A tour offers a glimpse into what daily life might look like—and how much the school invests in its student environment.
Lastly, what a college chooses to highlight during the remainder of its Admitted Students Day often reveals what the institution values most. These decisions aren’t random—they reflect the college’s identity and priorities. For instance, if the school proudly showcases its athletic facilities, it likely has a strong sense of school spirit and a successful athletic program that plays a major role in campus life. On the other hand, if the tour spends considerable time in the library—visiting each floor, pointing out study rooms, and emphasizing quiet zones—it suggests the school takes pride in its academic environment. This attention to detail can hint at a rigorous academic culture where studying and intellectual focus are central to the student experience. In this way, even the structure of the day acts as a window into the campus culture, helping prospective students understand where they might thrive.
Regardless of the specific order of events at an Admitted Students Day, don’t let one particularly positive—or negative—moment completely sway your decision. Every college has its pros and cons, and it’s important to recognize which of those are within the school’s control and which are not. For example, a college can’t change how far it is from your home or what the local weather is like. But it can influence things like its admissions standards, the condition of its facilities, and the overall quality of campus life, including the dorm experience. As you navigate your own college search, start by identifying what truly matters to you—whether that’s academics, community, campus environment, or something else entirely. Then use Admitted Students Day to evaluate how well that school aligns with your priorities. And never hesitate to ask questions. It’s a valuable tool, but it should be part of a bigger picture, not the whole story.
