High school seniors introduced to Princeton humanities

In early September, 70 high school seniors received invitations from the Undergraduate Admissions Office — but it wasn't the usual 'Yes!' letter.

The University invited these students to campus for a weekend to discuss the art, literature, music and philosophy of Weimar Republic Berlin with Princeton professors.

The program, which was first held last year, is the brainchild of Dean of Admission Fred Hargadon.

"In reading applications over the years, I've always been struck by how much more external support and encouragement there is for students interested in math and science than there is for students interested in the humanities," Hargadon said in an e-mail.

Hargadon approached Dean of the College Nancy Malkiel last spring and Malkiel in turn approached history professor Anthony Grafton and German professor Michael Jennings to explore possibilities for a weekend symposium for high school seniors.

"I was ecstatic but a little confused. I didn't know what this symposium was," Ben Glicklich from New York recalled. "I just thought it was an unparalleled opportunity to be taught by the faculty and see Princeton."

The high school students attended an opening lecture by Grafton on "Brecht's Berlin" and watched G.W. Pabst's "Pandora's Box," which provided background information and a context for the weekend's preceptorials in architecture, film, history, Jewish studies, literature, music and philosophy.

Later in the afternoon, students participated in workshops in the creative and performing arts through dance, photography, fiction, poetry and theater. The symposium culminated in a reception, dinner and talk by humanities professor and Pulitzer Prize winner John McPhee '53.

"Each professor is not only knowledgeable but also a dynamic speaker. I attended some of the best lectures this weekend. I found John McPhee's speech on his life as a writer inspiring and his use of language was amazing," Trevor Schwartz from California said. "It was a great weekend. They should lengthen it."

Students agreed that the symposium was a worthwhile experience. "I feel so lucky to have had this experience to spend time in the dorms and learn from these professors. It would be a mistake not to apply after this weekend," Ryan Thrornton from California said.

Hargadon said that an invitation to the symposium does not bind the seniors to apply to the University.

"We solicit nominations from secondary schools and select from those nominations students to invite," he explained. "When we solicit nominations, we point out that students need not be applicants to Princeton, since our primary goal is promoting interest in the humanities."

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"Not surprisingly, however, a number of those who attend the symposium and who had not thought about applying do end up applying in the end and if offered, enrolling, some of them indicating that their attendance at the symposium played a large part in their deciding to come to Princeton," Hargadon added.

"This weekend showed me all that Princeton has to offer," Glicklich explained. "This weekend really did a number on me."