At a small pond nestled in the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Professor John Reif gathers the crowd of prospective graduate students around him. He speaks for a moment about the value of discovery during research and the importance of exploring the world around you. Then, he asks the students to close their eyes. One by one, Reif challenges them to cross the pond by stepping along a narrow path of stones, keeping their eyes closed and guided only by the sound of his voice.

“They were very courageous,” says Reif. “This was the first group who all managed to get across. Only one dipped his foot in.”

Reif’s unique “campus tour” was one of the many rituals greeting prospective students at this year’s Graduate Admissions Visit in March. On Friday, students attended research overview talks with Department faculty, followed by one-on-one discussions with professors of their choice. Then, after a Department reception, current graduate students whisked the new recruits away for a night of sushi and basketball, followed by the Department picnic on Saturday and a house party Saturday night.

“I think we connected well with the prospective students,” says Eduardo Cuervo, a third year Ph.D. student in charge of this year’s graduate student recruitment committee. “Overall, they were friendly, happy, and engaged.”

“We have high hopes for these students to come to Duke,” says Reif. “There is a strong correlation between those who successfully cross the pond and those who decide to come,” he adds with a wink.