The Range arguably represents the University graduate students' equivalent of the Lawn in terms of location and prestige.
Since its creation by students two years ago, the Range community currently houses 51 graduate students who had to undergo an application process in order to receive a spot.
Range Council President Christopher Colby explained last year's inaugural application process.
"We had 70 to 80 candidates for 50 spots," Colby said. "We were all filled up by the time that August rolled around, which is what Housing was interested in. A couple years ago, the rooms went until October. The fact that we had them all gone by the end of school was a unique accomplishment."
Colby also noted his expectations for this year's application process.
"Well, as the program goes on, I'd like to see at least the same number of applications as last year," Colby said. "Keep in mind that, as graduate students, they just don't have four years of indoctrination."
The Range application is similar to a college admissions application, albeit much shorter. This year's application, which is due in mid-January, contains a bio-data sheet with an honor pledge at the bottom. Additionally, there are four short essays concerning life in the Range community. Questions include why one wants to join the community and how one would foster diversity in it.
Jake Heil, a member of the Range Selections Committee, noted the differences in this year's application.
"It has changed and I think last year there may have only been one question and you submit a resume," Heil said. "The essays are a lot shorter and I think we're just trying to use the essays to give people the opportunity to respond more creatively."
Heil also dispelled the negative connotation of the word "application" with regard to the Range housing process.
"It's still a work in progress and we're still trying to make it as user-friendly as possible," Heil said. "I don't think it's too exceptionally challenging."
Colby discussed the demographics of the Range resident population.
"It's almost half from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences," he said. "We currently have nobody from Architecture. We have around 12 Med students who tend to be in East Range, for obvious reasons. We have seven Law students and about three people from Darden. And the Darden people are especially motivated."
Colby discussed his personal experience as a resident of the Range.
"I heard about the Lawn and the Range several years before I came here, and what's really phenomenal to me is that you can live in a building designed by a founder of the Republic," Colby said. "You cannot find that anywhere else. The history of the experience has been the best part for me."
Community members have actively engaged in fundraising this year by sponsoring a series of dinners for undergraduate students and faculty, receiving $550 from the Parents Program to fund their effort. Range residents also participated in Halloween festivities, giving out candy to over 100 local children.
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