Spider Chat Program
The Spider Chat Program is designed to offer prospective and admitted students from across the country and world the opportunity to connect with Richmond alumni. The program began in winter 2004 as a pilot program in Washington, D.C., and has since expanded to include 33 regions nationwide and London.
While the Spider Chat is voluntary and not a requirement for admission, it does provide a personalized channel for an exchange of information. The Spider Chat gives applicants the opportunity to learn more about Richmond from our alumni volunteers. It also provides students with a chance to share information about their interests and experiences that we can use to better communicate with them. We think of Spider Chats more as a recruitment tool than a way to make admission decisions. For example, if a student mentions applying early decision, we can communicate earlier with that student and to make him or her aware of the early decision process and deadlines.
Coordinated by the Office of Admission the program seeks to:
- Involve alumni in a meaningful way in order to achieve Richmond's admission goals
- Provide the Admission Committee with additional information that may assist the staff in the recruitment of prospective students and in their application review
- Increase a highly qualified student's likelihood to enroll at Richmond
- Provide additional opportunities for interaction between the University of Richmond, prospective students, and alumni
Interested in Spider Chats? Apply here.
Definition of a Spider Chat
Most importantly, Spider Chats focus on the exchange of information between the applicant and the alumni volunteer. It is a tool used to convey the value of a Richmond education and excite the applicant about the areas in which he or she may have great interest. Conversation in a Spider Chat should focus on sharing information about Richmond that meets the student's needs while learning about his or her distinctive experiences and what he or she can uniquely contribute to the Richmond community.