Info session attracts hundreds

If the crowd in McCosh 50 Sunday afternoon was any indication, the University will not be lacking applicants for the Class of 2010.

Hundreds of prospective students and their parents showed up yesterday to ask admissions officer Sallie Langston '03 everything from the importance of SATs to the perils of exceeding the word limit in admission essays.

The event, which included a question-and-answer session and a tour of the campus, was the first of two programs run by the admission office for New Jersey students. "We sent invitations to any students that are on our mailing list and to any high schools in our database," Associate Dean of Admissions Terri Riendeau '83 said.

Akua Addae of Irvington, N.J., one of the prefrosh attending the program, said she came because she plans to apply to the University early decision. "I came here over the summer and I think that it's the best school in the world," Addae said.

While many of the students in McCosh 50 seemed worried about whether they are Princeton material, Addae was not concerned: "Either I get in or I don't," she said.

High school junior Brad Baron of Glen Rock, N.J., was accompanied by his younger brother and parents. Baron is not entirely sure that he wants to attend the University, but said he was considering it. "It's up there; it very well could be my first choice," he said.

Because the prospective students are from New Jersey, this is not the first time many of them have seen the campus. Gregory Baron '81, Brad's father, has been bringing his sons to visit the campus for years. "Both boys have been visiting here for reunions and [athletic] games," he said. "It would be an honor for him to go here, but there's no pressure."