KATIE CARLIN -- The Flat Hat Freshman Emilie Dubois.

Persistence pays off for freshman

By Michelle Banker
The Flat Hat

While most wait-listed applicants for the class of 2005 waited complacently at home for the decisions admissions offices made about their fates, 17-year old Emilie Dubois had another strategy in mind. After being wait listed by the College, Dubois made the 13-hour, 580 mile from her North Smithfield, R.I., home to Williamsburg by herself herself to profess her love for the school. Her efforts proved fruitful; she was one of the few wait-listed applicants who were accepted.

"I was ecstatic," she said, regarding the news of her acceptance. "[I was] jumping up and down. This is exactly what I wanted for a college experience."

Clad in foam board signs, Dubois dispersed nearly 300 flyers to the residence halls on April 30 to gain support from the student body. The flyers read: "I love this school ... unfortunately I've been wait-listed. In an attempt to drum up some positive support I've decided to visit the campus. Please come and say hello. I will be outside of admissions on Tuesday, May 1."

Although she arrived during final exams, nearly 100 students rallied around the admissions office in her support. The admissions staff was "swamped with e-mails and calls and letters," according to Dubois.

David Trott, associate dean of admissions, says that the admission staff was "very impressed with her initiative." Trott says that the staff was not surprised by the positive reaction to Dubois. Rather, he says that the staff was pleased that people were excited about her enthusiasm.

Dubois campaigned around the admissions office, the University and Campus Centers, the dining halls, the library, the College bookstore, the Sunken Gardens and sorority court, shouting quotes from Albert Einstein and promoting her cause. Although Dubois received no decisive feedback from the admissions office during her stay, she received media attention after knocking on the door of President Sullivan's office.

According to Trott, Dubois' campaign affected the admission staff's decision in some ways, but wasn't the only deciding factor.

"It was not simply an admissions office issue," he said.

Dubois first fell in love with the school during a jog through the campus and Colonial Williamsburg (she is currently on the College's track team). She says that she had a gut feeling that this was the place for her. The College's atmosphere was another factor in her desire to attend.

Although classes are just now beginning, Dubois is delighted with her experience thus far.

"All my expectations have been filled and then some," she said. "I love the girls on Gooch third upper."

Dubois wants to add that her admissions campaign is not all she wishes to be recognized for. She looks forward to proving herself academically, and even has plans to run for class president.

Despite Dubois' success, all hopeful applicants with a similar plan should be aware that foam board signs and flyers will no longer be enough to gain admission.

"They have to do more," Trott said. "This raises the bar ... we're expecting skywriting next year."