Dialogue with Denison

At Denison, we know that our community is only as strong as it is broadly diverse

We are committed to making our home on The Hill a place where all students — especially those from underrepresented backgrounds — can find community and thrive, academically and socially. We invite you to learn about student diversity and the student experience on-campus during Dialogue with Denison, an engaging fly-in program for traditionally underrepresented students.

Our Diversity Program Experience

Dialogue with Denison (DWD) is an immersive, fully-funded fly-in program where a select group of high school seniors will meet to discuss important topics with Denison student leaders, learn about academic programs, explore student life, and visit organizational spaces. In short, prospective students will connect with each other, learn more about Denison, and see what life is like on a predominantly white campus.

How It Works

To be considered for the selective DWD program, students must submit the application form by September 1, 2023. All students who apply for DWD will be notified in early October of the committee’s decision. If invited to participate in DWD, students will receive round-trip airfare, overnight accommodations, and on-campus meals while visiting Denison. Please note that all participating students must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to attend Dialogue with Denison. Students will be required to show proof of vaccination upon arrival to campus.

Who should apply to attend Dialogue with Denison?

High-achieving high school seniors from underrepresented populations who are U.S. citizens and attend high school in the United States.

No Loan Opportunity

Thanks in part to the overwhelming generosity of alumni and friends of the university, we are pleased to offer exceptional financial aid packages to Denison students. For high-achieving students who participate in DWD and are admitted to Denison through the binding Early Decision I process, we guarantee to offer a no-loan financial aid award from Denison University. Each financial aid package will be based on the student’s individual demonstrated financial need, and, all loans will be replaced with Denison grant aid, so that every EDI DWD student has the ability to graduate debt-free.

Sample Program Schedule

Sunday

1:00 - 2:00 Registration & Lunch
2:00 - 2:30 Welcome
2:30 - 3:30 Campus Tours
3:30 - 4:30 Admission Session
4:30 - 5:00 Break
5:00 - 6:00 Dinner with Denison Students, Faculty and Staff & Alumni
6:00 - 8:00 Small Group Discussion w/ Denison Multicultural Student Leaders
8:00 Social activities

Monday

8:00 - 9:00 Breakfast
9:30 - 11:30 Visit Classes / Admission Interviews
11:30 - 12:30 Admission Interviews / Special Tours
12:30 - 1:30 Lunch in the Dining Hall
1:30 - 2:30 Denison Resources Panel
2:30 Depart Campus

Dialogue with Denison FAQ

When will you be offering your fall diversity fly-in program?

Our Dialogue with Denison program will be hosted on campus October 22-23, 2023.

Who should apply to attend Dialogue with Denison?

High-achieving students from underrepresented populations who are U.S. citizens and attend high school in the United States.

Is it advantageous for students to participate in Dialogue with Denison?

Yes, DWD helps students learn more about Denison and multicultural student life on campus, while providing the foundation to build connections with Denison students and high school seniors from across the country. Additionally, DWD is a selective program, and historically the students who have participated in the program have had a higher rate of admission than the general applicant pool. That does not mean that those who are not selected for DWD will be at a disadvantage in the admissions process, but rather those that are selected and choose to join us for DWD will be very competitive applicants.

Furthermore, students who participate in DWD and are admitted to Denison through the binding EDI process are guaranteed to receive a no-loan financial aid award from Denison University. These aid packages will meet each individual student’s demonstrated financial need. Additionally, all loans are removed from these students’ financial aid packages and replaced with Denison grant aid, so that every EDI DWD student has the ability to graduate debt-free.

If I apply to participate in Dialogue with Denison, when will I get a decision about the program?

The application deadline for DWD is September 1, 2023. All students who applied for DWD will be notified in early October. If invited to attend the program, students will receive complimentary round-trip airfare, overnight accommodations, and on-campus meals while visiting Denison.

Do I need to show proof of vaccination in order to attend Dialogue with Denison?

Denison requires all students to be vaccinated or have an authorized medical exemption. At this time, visitors are not required to provide proof of this vaccination. Please see our COVID-19 resource page for additional information.