In an effort to add more diversity to Penn's student body, admissions officers held a Multicultural Open House on Saturday.
More than 600 minority students and their parents flooded Penn's campus to learn about the college admissions process and get a glimpse of campus life.
"Penn has a real commitment to the multicultural community," Associate Admissions Dean Eric Kaplan said. "It's nice to have a day devoted to some of the things they are interested in... to introduce them to Penn and show our diversity."
Eager students poured into Irvine Auditorium, filling nearly every seat. There, Canh Oxelson of the Office of Multicultural Recruitment led an information session where he offered advice on the admissions process and detailing Penn's financial aid packages.
"We know that students are more likely to apply and actually come here if they have visited the campus," Oxelson said.
Partly as a result of these open houses, "the number of minority applications continues to rise," Oxelson said. He attributes this increase to Penn's popularity as well as its diverse atmosphere.
"It's by far the most successful program of its kind," Admissions Dean Lee Stetson said. "There was a terrific amount of energy and enthusiasm on behalf of both the students and the staff."
Yale University also held a multicultural recruitment seminar on Saturday, but officials said that they do not think it diminished Penn's turnout.
"Looking at the registration list, we have students here from Boston to Virginia," Oxelson said.
Audience members said they learned a lot from the information session.
"This is the number one business school in the nation, and I hope to come here," said Alvaro Lantiguo, a student from New York City. "And I was glad to get an insider's view of the admissions process."
Alex Edwards of Philadelphia said, "We learned information about Penn just as we would at a regular information session, but here it was from a multicultural point of view."
"I thought the information session was interesting," George Ellis of Wellesley, Mass., said. "It was definitely helpful for the admissions process."
Following the information session and a performance by African Rhythms, a student dance group, the audience went to Houston Hall for an academic and activities fair. Representatives from various campus student organizations offered information, and admissions officers were available to speak with prospective applicants.
"I was glad to hear the admissions officers don't just concentrate on test scores," Native Philadelphian Ashley Johnson said.
For many, the highlight of the day was the Penn Experience Panel. Penn students, parents and alumni offered their advice on issues such as the admissions process, embracing diversity at Penn and financial aid.
"It was a really good experience to get an in-depth view of Penn and its diversity," said Jennifer Burks, also from Philadelphia.
The Office of Multicultural Recruitment arranges this annual program. Over 1,800 invitations are sent to students who have expressed interest in Penn and are within driving distance of campus.
