The tables have turned in the college admission process as schools work to woo accepted students through various on-campus events.

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Mehmet Inonu

Prospective freshmen (ProFros) descended on Stanford’s campus Thursday to the rhythm of the Stanford Band as part of the University’s Admit Weekend.

For some, Stanford is one of many suitors. And according to several ProFros, each school’s admit weekend often has its own flavor that shapes the way prospective students view the host institution.

“Admit Weekend is pretty powerful, in my opinion,” said Roxanne Parker ‘10, host recruitment and publicity coordinator of this year’s Admit Weekend. “I know that I came to Admit Weekend personally set against going to Stanford, and it totally changed my mind.”

Several students said Stanford’s program was laid back compared to those of other schools.

“These weekends are definitely a great idea,” said ProFro Mohammad Abid. “I am deciding between Stanford and Princeton and I think Princeton’s pre-freshman program was pretty uptight and business-like. Stanford’s Admit Weekend has been a lot more fun. It has just been a better exposure to the school.”

ProFro Lee Nguyen, who is deciding between Stanford and Yale, had a similar experience at Yale’s pre-frosh program, Bulldog Days, which was held earlier this week.

“Yale’s program definitely had an air of sophistication,” Nguyen said. “It was more controlled and business-like with formal mingling events. Stanford’s Admit Weekend is looser and crazier. [Stanford] is definitely my first choice — it feels more like home to me.”

Harvard’s annual pre-frosh visiting program will be held this weekend as well, forcing students like Joseph Seering, who were admitted to both Stanford and Harvard, to decide to attend only one of the two pre-frosh programs.

“I really would have wanted to attend both schools’ programs,” Steering said. “I ended up deciding to attend Stanford’s program based on distance since I’m from Cambridge. These weekends are helpful because they give me a chance to meet people and give me a feel of what the school is all about. I’m still conflicted, but I think this weekend will help.”

Other ProFros, like Kaitlyn Toole, came to Admit Weekend even though they have already committed to matriculate.

“I wanted to attend this program because I wanted to see the school and my future classmates,” Toole said. “I wanted to get a feel of what being a Stanford student is like and see the range of activities available.”

But though Toole will be wearing Cardinal in the fall, she said that her experiences today convinced her that she made the right decision.

“More than the gorgeous campus and unbeatable reputation, what really convinced me to come here was the tour guide who led my tour group,” she said. “It was so obvious that he just loved the school — his enthusiasm and emotion was so tangible and it was clear that students love being here. It was then that I decided that I want to be here. I want to be part of this.”