The latest round of diversity fly-in programs

A list of upcoming fall 2013 diversity fly-in programs comes from a comment on CollegeConfidential.  Some schools that are included:

Barnard College — New York, NY
Bates College, Lewiston, Maine
Brandeis University — Waltham, MA
Colby College — Waterville, ME
Colorado College — Colorado Springs, CO
Davidson College — Davidson, NC
Franklin & Marshall College –Lancaster, PA
Grinnell College — Grinnell, IA
Kenyon College — Gambier, OH
Lewis & Clark College — Portland, OR
Occidental College — Los Angeles, CA
Pitzer College — Claremont, CA
Smith College –Northampton, MA
Swarthmore College –Swarthmore, PA
Texas A&M — College Station, TX
Tufts University — Medford, MA

Click the link above for the complete list and for more details.  These programs are tyrpically aimed at high school seniors who are “students of color, students who are the first in their family to attend college, and those who are from low income households”.  Most will cover all or part of related travel costs.

Participation in these events can put students on a college’s radar screen for potential diversity-related financial aid.

My son applied to two diversity fly-in events when he was a high school senior.  He attended one, which turned out to be a very informative experience.

GetMeToCollege has a more extensive list with more details, and another CollegeConfidential comment lists some additional schools.

If you are interested, move quickly in submitting your application because deadlines are approaching and these slots often get filled up quickly.  Even if you did not receive an invitation, you can contact the school letting them know you are interested.

Related:  Colleges urged ‘to get creative in improving racial diversity’ (Cost of College)

College diversity fly-in programs for 2011

A link to a list of college diversity fly-in programs, some with expired deadlines:

getmetocollege.org 2011 Diversity Fly-In Program List: Colleges Pay for Seniors to Visit This Fall!

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If you’re unfamiliar with diversity fly-ins, here is a brief description.

These college visits are recruiting tools used to attract under-represented minority (URM) students.  They are typically aimed at high school seniors, with some trips occurring in the fall before college applications have been submitted and some in the early spring semester after applications have been sent.  A spring fly-in invitation is usually viewed as a strong signal that the student has been accepted to that college, although it should not be considered a guarantee of admission.

• URM invitees can include racial/ethnic and gender identity minorities as well as  low-income students.
• Trip costs are often covered at least in part by the school.  This can be in the form of a stipend or actual payment of travel expenses.
• Invitations can be generated by CollegeBoard SAT reports, high school counselors or other means.  The schools are usually seeking students who stand out in academic achievement or in other areas.
• The application to attend might be a simple form or a more lengthy process that includes one or more essays.  Essay topics are often related to diversity.
• If a student does not receive an invitation but is interested in attending, he should contact the college.
• Applying early is advised as sometimes these slots fill up fast.
• In addition to “diversity” and “multicultural”, the names of these events often seem to include words like “discover” or “window”.

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Example:  Diversity fly-in at Middlebury College

Middlebury College invites you to visit our campus during our annual multicultural open house, Discover Middlebury, October 16-18, 2011.  We are looking for students who are intellectually motivated and would like to explore the pursuit of higher education at a small liberal arts and sciences college.

The visit is open to seniors from traditionally under-represented groups: African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, and American Indian students; students (regardless of ethnicity) with demonstrated financial hardship; and students who are first in their families to pursue a four-year college education.  Unfortunately, international students or those living outside of the country cannot participate in this program.

Because Discover Middlebury is a popular program, we unfortunately cannot accommodate all applicants.  There is a selective application process to fill the approximately 75 spaces available, with priority given to strong students who might not otherwise have a chance to visit campus.  Meals and lodging will be provided free of charge by Middlebury College for all participants, and transportation will also be provided for students who will be financial aid applicants.  Modes of transportation will vary depending on where a student is traveling from and may be by plane, train or bus.

Please apply via our online Discover Middlebury Application. Students are responsible for completing the application which can be accessed via the link on the right, including unofficial copies of your high school transcript, your standardized test scores, and a brief statement to the Admissions Office.

From the Middlebury application:

Personal Statement:
Write a brief statement (approx. one page) telling us why you would like to participate in Middlebury’s multicultural weekend and what you hope to get out of your future college experience

UPDATE:  What role do diversity administrators play in college administrative bloat?