Trinity Hosts Preview Weekend for Prospective Students of Color

This weekend, 85 high school seniors of African-American, Latino, Asian-American, and Native-American descent were invited to explore Trinity in a program designed to give students of color an opportunity to get to know Trinity College with special attention given to the multicultural houses on campus. Throughout the event, known as Preview Weekend, students are given the opportunity to experience life on campus, talk with students and faculty, and sit in on classes.

"The application procedure for the weekend is a selective process," explained Nathalie Perez, Assistant Director and Coordinator of Multicultural recruitment. Applications for the program are normally sent out to seniors whom have already expressed interest in Trinity as well as to high schools around the country. Students are asked to submit a transcript, SAT scores, and an essay.

High school seniors who are enrolled in an academic program consisting primarily of college preparatory courses and who have maintained at least a B average are eligible for the program. Admissions received 160 applications this year and 90 were accepted. Most of the students are from Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey although several others came as far as Washington, D.C. and Chicago.

Students are paired with current Trinity students that volunteer to host Preview weekend participants and show them around campus.

Students arrived Saturday evening and met for a typical Puerto Rican dinner. Among the events scheduled for that evening was a student panel in which Trinity students, particularly those involved in multicultural houses on campus, were able to answer questions and let the prospective students know a little about their lives on campus.

Saturday night also included "Creative Arts Night" led by the Trinity College Black Women's Organization and a Bantam Bash held at the Vernon Social Center. On Sunday, students were treated to an alumni barbecue at UMOJA house and a presentation by Trinity Alum Therelza Watson from the class of 1998.

Students attended classes and campus tours on Monday. Lisa Oliveri, a participant from New Fairfield, Connecticut commented, "Everyone was so friendly. Having a chance to sit in on the classes was great. I got an idea of classes that I would like to take. I'm glad I know that now. I'm glad that Trinity gave us the opportunity to go see those classes."

Preview weekend was concluded with a faculty luncheon in the Washington Room in which students were given the opportunity to meet with faculty representatives from various departments and organizations on campus.

Karen Yee, a high school senior from Washington D.C. that participated in the weekend said, "I thought it was great. It gave me a chance to spend time on campus and meet with students and professors. It was the kind of thing you can't get from a campus tour."

"I loved the faculty luncheon. I had a nice conversation with members of the faculty, said Maria Velazquez from Springfield, Massachusetts. Velazquez also stated that she admired the "comfortable atmosphere" at Trinity. "At other schools," she stated, "the camaraderie between male and female students wasn't there at all."

Yee commented that she liked the location of the campus and the opportunities it offers. "I like that it's easy to get internships in the city."

Oliveri also had positive remarks about the weekend. "I really appreciate the level of respect on campus. There's a really good level of respect between students and faculty."

Both Oliveri and Velazquez are planning on applying early decision to Trinity while Yee will be applying regular decision.

Furthermore, all three expressed interest in getting involved with multicultural organizations on campus including La Voz Latino, UMOJA, and ASA. They all asserted that they felt very comfortable being around other students of color during the weekend.

Nathalie Perez is optimistic that the prospective students enjoyed themselves and commented, "Hopefully we'll see them apply and matriculate here at Trinity."