The University invited newly admitted students to get a glimpse of life on Grounds through its Days on the Lawn this spring. Students admitted to any school could attend the event Mondays and Fridays — starting April 5 and concluding April 18 — to see and experience the University community firsthand and connect with other admitted students and resources.
The event occurs annually in the spring, and offerings include admitted student tours, information sessions specific to schools of enrollment and social events for admitted students to get to know each other. Programming runs from 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. and is intended for both undecided and committed incoming students. DOTL is run as a joint-operation between the Office of Undergraduate Admission and student co-chairs.
For the first time this year, DOTL implemented an app called Guidebook — an event-management app that allows organizations to host event information in one place — which contained the schedule for the day’s events. The app allows students to add academic courses to a tentative schedule and take notes. It is also connected to Google Maps, allowing students and families to easily navigate around Grounds to all of the offerings.
According to Kelli Barnette, senior associate dean in the Office of Undergraduate Admission, the app has greatly enhanced the visitor experience.
“A small but mighty team here in admission logged countless hours to bring the app to life,” Barnette said. “We feel like it has taken the visitor experience to the next level and made information more accessible to our guests.”
Each day of DOTL begins with check-in at Peabody Hall, followed by two a capella performances on the Lawn and a performance from the Cavalier Marching Band. Next, a dean or professor and student leader address the admitted students. These speakers included former and current Deans of Students, Cedric Rucker and Nicole Hall, as well as an admissions intern, typically a fourth year.
Students then break out into sessions specific to the schools of enrollment in which students learn of academic requirements and offerings and may ask questions. Madison Asher, DOTL co-chair and fourth-year College student, describes the rest of DOTL as a “choose-your-own-adventure day.”
Students may attend informational sessions for upper division schools — ones to which students apply after at least one semester of study — such as the School of Data Science or McIntire School of Commerce. Tables around the third level of Newcomb Hall offer resources for students covering topics like housing, residential colleges or student organizations.
Outside of Peabody Hall, there is a deposit tent for students to pay their deposits and accept their offer of admission. According to Hayley Judge, DOTL co-chair and third-year College student, the DOTL experience is both for students accepted Early Decision who wish to get to know Grounds before orientation, as well as students who are undecided or have not yet visited Grounds before.
Judge attended DOTL as a prospective student, and she said she got involved in planning and hosting the event in large part due to the fulfilling experience offered when she was welcomed to the University community. While Asher’s year did not have DOTL due to the pandemic, Asher began volunteering for DOTL her first year, and said she got involved because of her love for the University and the impact she feels she has through each conversation with an admitted student.
“[DOTL] is a way to talk about why I like [the University] so much and my experience, but also be the reason why students want to come here,” Asher said. “You get to connect with them — they’re like, ‘I didn’t really know if I wanted to come, but now I really do.”
DOTL’s appeal to admitted students was the work of many, according to Barnette.
She attributed much of DOTL’s success to volunteers and University community members who welcomed the admitted students and made the event possible. According to Barnette, just under 200 students, including volunteers, admissions interns and panelists participated in DOTL throughout the month.
“It’s the support from our community that makes these experiences so special for our visitors … whether by formally volunteering, saying hello to an admitted student or being patient with the longer lines in the dining halls on DOTL days,” Barnette said.
Asher’s favorite offering for the students is the student social outside of Peabody Hall.
A parent panel is offered at the same time, and Judge said this encourages students to get to know their potential future classmates on their own.
“When I was an admitted student, I actually met my first year roommate at the student social and another girl who's still one of my best friends that I've lived with for the past two years.” Judge said. “Meeting your class — for me — that was the deciding factor of choosing U.Va., [and] knowing that I would really click with all the people I'd be having classes with.”
Newly admitted students attending this year’s DOTL held Friday agreed that the day was a great opportunity to immerse themselves in the school’s offerings, walk around Grounds and meet fellow admitted students, including admitted student Ali.
“It’s been really fun. I just came to get, like, a feel for the school,” Ali said. “My favorite part was probably just the general tour … and meeting new people.”
Another admitted student, Elizabeth, who was not committed to the University shared that she felt welcomed throughout the day and was encouraged by the prospect of embedding herself in this community.
“I like being introduced to the community more here and delving into what it means to be a college student,” Elizabeth said. “I liked the inviting facilities and also the inviting staff — it's very comforting to know this is a good place to call home.”
The University also held other events which coincided with DOTL and were geared toward admitted students, but were not part of the programming. The University hosted the APISAA Palooza April 5 for Asian and Pacific Islander students, and Spring Blast and Spring Fling on April 11, held for Latino and Black students, respectively. The Blast and the Fling are open-house events designed to highlight the student groups’ experience at the University and the resources and communities available.
The variety of events offered to potential students are a strong reflection of the University, according to Barnette.
“U.Va. is special to our prospective and admitted students because of the impact of the kindness that our community shows, and DOTL just puts all of it at center stage,” Barnette said.
Admitted students will have until May 1 to accept their offer of admission.
Read More
Student Council votes to relocate Hereford orchard and basketball hoop
By Lauren Seeliger | 14 minutes agoStudent Council passed a resolution Tuesday to relocate the orchard and basketball hoop of Hereford Residential College due to construction in the surrounding area.
Dean Rucker honored with Z Society’s highest honor, Pale Z Award
By Brendon Bordwine | 17 hours agoThe Society has a storied history of honoring University leaders with the Pale Z.
Students receive free STI testing through U.Va. Health and Wellness
By Jackie Bond | YesterdayThrough funding from Student Council, students are now able to receive free STI testing with SHW which includes tests for HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and Hepatitis C.
