To: The Wellesley Community
From: President Paula A. Johnson
Re: Welcoming the Admitted Class of 2024
Date: March 25, 2020
In the face of the challenges posed by COVID-19, the Wellesley community is finding innovative ways to continue the important work of the College. I want to share one inspiring example.
Over the weekend, we announced final admission decisions to the red class of 2024. This year, Wellesley saw the second-highest total of applications in the College’s history, and the most regular decision applicants ever.
Hailing from over 1,000 high schools across 49 states and 50 countries around the world, this admitted class reflects an extraordinary diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and worldviews. Of our domestic admitted students, more than half are people of color; 12 percent of the admitted students are international; and one in five will be the first generation in their families to attend a four-year college. As in years past, the College worked closely with our valuable partners at QuestBridge and the Posse Foundation as well as a multitude of other local, community-based organizations that support students applying to college.
Ordinarily, we would have invited these admitted students to attend spring open campus and enjoy a student-hosted overnight stay in a residence hall. But in a time of social distancing, how do we encourage these fabulous students to choose Wellesley? Thankfully, our amazing admission team of problem-solvers has found a solution. Over the past few weeks, they have found ways to bring the Wellesley experience to life online.
Admitted students can now chat with current and other admitted students; take a virtual campus tour; sample classes with faculty; hear from Joy St. John, dean of admission and financial aid; and participate in panels with members of Career Education, Wellesley alumnae, and leaders from Residence Life, Student Financial Services, the Class Deans Office, and more all through a new online platform.
Parents and other family members can join online sessions with Ann Velenchik, dean of academic affairs, as well as Anna Young, associate director of admission. And this is just the beginning. As we shift to a remote open-campus experience this spring, our colleagues in admission and financial aid will be tapping many of you as they seek to capture the richness of Wellesley on this platform.
You can sample some of the content by checking out the #youcanatWellesley video campaign. If you want to share ideas for content or personally welcome the class of 2024 to Wellesley, please email deanofadmission@wellesley.edu for more information.
Wellesley is a community of difference-makers and change agents. In the weeks ahead, I look forward to sharing more stories of how faculty and students adapting to these challenging circumstances by transforming the academic experience through remote instruction.
Today, please join me in welcoming the Wellesley College admitted class of 2024 and in celebrating the indefatigable creativity of our community
