The world becomes Penn's playground

Last year, Director of International Admissions Elisabeth O'Connell walked into a high school and gave her typical admissions spiel.

Boasting about Penn's interdisciplinary programs and answering students' questions, it was the same information session she had done thousands of time - just this time, it was in Africa.

Penn is becoming one of the most attractive American schools to international students, and O'Connell says it's the result of a strong recruiting program and alumni networks overseas.

Last week, Dean of Admissions Lee Stetson announced that Penn accepted a record-breaking 112 international students through early decision.

But for O'Connell, the increase in international interest in Penn is merely the byproduct of a program that has been building since the early 1980s.

In 1981, the incoming class had 26 international students, and, for admissions officials, travelling was rare, O'Connell said.

Twenty-five years later, and the Class of 2010 has 289 foreign students with school officials traveling to 42 countries across the world.

Everywhere from South America to the Middle East and, as of this past fall, Australia, receives a visit from admissions officials.

"We didn't go to places with polar bears and ice blocks, but we pretty much covered the world," O'Connell said.

Penn Admissions' strategy in attracting students abroad consists of concentrating on schools and areas that yield large numbers of applicants yearly, as well as fostering strong alumni relations.

Sixty-six international alumni groups are closely affiliated with admissions in conducting interviews and attempting to attract interest in Penn, O'Connell said.

And the efforts certainly seem to be working; Raffle's Junior College in Singapore, for example, has had the most applicants of any school in the world for several years running, with over 100 students per year.

And recruiting abroad poses other challenges not encountered when making a trip to New Jersey or California.

Like when officials traveled to the Middle East during Ramadan this year, O'Connell said; admissions officials needed to make sure that events were not held while families would be breaking fast together.

But, for international students who often do not have a chance to visit Penn's campus, the sessions are that much more worth it.

Without the luxury of a visit, O'Connell said, most students choose the school because of the reputation of Penn's interdisciplinary programs and the strong international community - facts that the admissions office is able to point out during its trips.

And, it seems for many international Penn students, the office was right about the sense of community.

"My hall was so diverse freshman year that culture shock was not even an issue," College junior and Hong Kong native Stefani said.

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