Following an initial shortage of 295 Room Hosts (RoHos) for Stanford’s Admit Weekend — which began Thursday — every prospective first-year student (ProFro) has received a pairing and dorm room accomodation, the University confirmed.
This year, more than 1,200 ProFros were anticipated to arrive for Admit Weekend, a two and a half-day program for admitted students and their families to explore campus, get to know the community and imagine life at Stanford. The event relies on first-year students and those in four-class dorms to host the prospective students overnight.
An increase in the number of admitted students and overnight lodging sign-ups meant a high demand for RoHos that was not initially met.
To address the shortage, Stanford extended RoHo eligibility to students who live in houses without frosh, including Sally Ride, Twain and Crothers Memorial. The Admit Weekend Team also promised the dorm with the highest RoHo rate a free party.
These efforts paid off. “This year, over 900 students volunteered to become Room Hosts, and we are thrilled that prospective freshmen will have the opportunity to experience this cherished annual tradition,” Assistant Vice President of External Communications Dee Mostofi wrote to The Daily.
Stella Vangelis ’28 was inspired by her own Admit Weekend experience to sign up as a House Host (HoHo) and host three admitted students in her one-room double. “My RoHo last year was so awesome,” she said. “It really gave me a good impression of school, so I want to pay that forward.”
HoHo Rose Garcia ’28 also spoke to the importance of RoHos in shaping the Admit Weekend experience. “[As an admitted student], you sort of want to be able to consult with someone or … have insight into what life for you could look like here.”
If students had not addressed the deficit, Admit Weekend attendees without RoHo assignments would likely have slept in the dorm lounges, according to an email that the Admit Weekend organizing team sent out.
“As a freshman or a ProFro … you want to feel welcomed,” said Lucy Hiller ’28, who volunteered to be a HoHo responsible for dorm programming. “If you come and find out that there’s not enough people who signed up to host you, that’s kind of a crappy feeling.”
In the weeks leading up to Admit Weekend, Hiller and other HoHos encouraged students in their dorms to register as RoHos. This proved more challenging than anticipated, said Hiller.
Some students were reluctant to host ProFros because they had midterms and worried it would interfere with their studying. Others expressed concern about limited space in their rooms.
“I was a little worried about not having enough space in our room for multiple admits but I came to an understanding that there are a lot of them and we all need to do our part,” Audrey Knowles ’28 said.
According to Hiller, hosting an admitted student – potentially a future classmate – is a privilege. “As freshmen this year, getting to host ProFros is a really unique opportunity we get to have to shape the future of Stanford,” she said.