Stetson hopes Class of 2000 will represent all 50 states

As admission response letters are being tallied, Admissions Dean Lee Stetson hopes that for the first time since 1980, one senior from every state will choose the University. In the past 16 years, not a single entering freshman class has had a representative from all 50 states. The University usually matriculates students from 46 to 47 states each year. In fact, when University President Judith Rodin came to the University in 1994, Stetson promised her he would bring in one student from each state that year. But he failed to do so. Now the Admissions Office is working hard to increase the student body's geographic diversity through expanded travel itineraries, contacting high school counselors and personalized programs in the inner mountain states area, which encompasses the Dakotas and Montana. One of the biggest problem states for the Admissions Office has been North Dakota -- which has been represented in only four of the past 16 freshman classes. South Dakota, Idaho and Montana also rarely send many students to the University. "There hasn't been a tradition of going east to college [in that region]," Stetson said. "And if we can start turning that trend around it will help turn it in the opposite direction." Currently, no students from South Dakota attend the University. This year, Penn admissions officers visited the Dakotas with admissions officers from Harvard, Duke and Georgetown universities. "The joint travel programs have brought in more parents and students and over time it's going to help us reach the 50 state representation," Stetson said. Geology Professor Robert Giegengack -- who conducts research at a site in Montana -- speaks with prospective students whenever he travels to the state. "It's a fairly well organized campaign to bring students in touch with the faculty," Giegengack said. Wharton junior Darren Massey who is from Billings, Mont., said for many students from that area, distance and the urban environment are key factors in decisions not to go east for college. But Massey said he enjoys the different living experience he has found in Philadelphia. "I've lived on one spectrum and now I've brought myself on the other side," he added. Oaks, N.D. high school senior Ryan Weispfenning -- who has applied to Penn -- said three students from the University have called him asking if he had any questions about the school. "It adds a lot to people like me who can't and don't have the time to travel out there," Weispfenning said. High school senior Melissa Jensen flew all the way from Missoula, Mont. to visit the campus during the recent Penn Previews weeks. "It's really helped having the personal contact," Jensen said. She added although leaving her family is a factor in her decision, she is leaning towards attending Penn in the fall.