Counselor Connection

The other day I received a phone call from the father of a prospective student.  He had a number of questions about Early Decision, and while confident about his daughter’s credentials, he wanted to know if applying Early increased her chances of being admitted.   Perhaps you can imagine my surprise when he then added that she had never been to campus, knew no one who attends or had attended, and had done very little research about what Holy Cross had to offer.  After our conversation ended, (hopefully having talked him out of ED), I thought about those of you working in college counseling.  I was reminded once again of the valuable work you do, frequently requiring the patience of a saint.  With deadlines fast approaching, students stressing over last minute changes to applications, and queries from well meaning but ill informed parents, you manage to be the calm in the eye of the storm called application season and for that I thank you!

Ann ‘79
Director of Admissions

Yesterday, I finished reading Fraternity by Diane Brady, which chronicles the experiences of a select group of African American students at Holy Cross in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Today I am helping to review applications for our upcoming Perspectives diversity weekend. I find myself equally inspired by the amazing men of Holy Cross’ past and the promising students who represent the College’s future. As an alumna and admissions counselor, I feel lucky to be associated with an institution which sincerely values the richness that comes from a diverse campus community. I am struck by how far we’ve come, and am excited for the upcoming Perspectives program!

Lynn ‘01
Associate Director of Admissions

I’ve just recently returned from a few weeks of visiting high schools and meeting with students and guidance counselors.  One particular interaction with a student really stuck with me.  It was a student who visited fourteen schools over the summer and when asked about how much she enjoyed her visits, she replied, “I didn’t – because I still don’t know where I want to go.”

Her reaction got me to thinking about Dmitri Mendeleev(of course it did, you’re thinking).   He was a chemist in the mid-19th Century — a time when many scientists were just beginning to unravel the mysteries of the elements.

To help better understand the elements and their relationships to each other, Mendeleev carried a stack of cards, each one containing the name of an element and all its properties; legend has it that during long train rides, Mendeleev would play a version of chemical solitaire, sorting and organizing these cards, searching for patterns, seeking enlightenment.  But it never came.

But then, one night in 1869, he awoke from a dream and reached for an envelope and scratched out what his relaxed, dormant mind had come up with – arguably the first ever periodic table.

What his focused, determined mind could not achieve, his sleeping mind did.  Truths require us to gather information, to partake in a determined search for meaning but, in the end, the answer may only come when we take a step back and allow our minds to relax.

So to all those students who think that extensive summer college search should reveal an immediate answer, I can say only this – enjoy your burrito, take a nap, relax your mind, and stop chasing the answer.  Enlightenment often comes when you least expect it.

Drew
Associate Director of Admissions

I have just returned from my first week of travel, and I have to admit it…I had a blast! It was great to reconnect with so many friends and colleagues who are so committed to seeing their students successfully navigate the college application process.  I was reminded once again that no matter what side of the desk you sit on, relationships matter. I appreciate the time I had last week to catch up with colleagues, and I value our conversations.  I am hopeful that the NACAC conference being held in Denver later this week will offer even greater opportunities to build new or strengthen existing relationships. So, if you are going to NACAC, please be sure to stop by the Holy Cross table at the College Fair for Counselors on Friday.  Diane, Jim, Julliana and I will be there and we will be happy to provide information about Holy Cross and answer any of your questions.  Please stop by and say hello!

Ann ‘79
Director of Admissions

For the past several years, the Holy Cross Alumni Association has organized a team of volunteers to assist with freshman move-in day. This year, my husband (and fellow alumnus) and I were part of that eager group. I still remember the mixed emotions I felt during my own first day on campus, and know how much I valued the spirit and excitement of the volunteers who greeted me and my family. As a member of the admissions team, I was also happy for the chance to see the familiar faces of those I worked with as they moved through the stages of prospective student, applicant, admitted student and finally matriculant. There were lots of reasons for me to be excited about welcoming the class of 2016 to Mt. St. James.

It was my husband who brought the experience to a whole new level. I’ll admit I laughed a little when he happily breathed in the Holy Cross air, and declared that it still smelled great. His purple pride proved to be contagious though. Seeing Holy Cross through the eyes of someone who doesn’t have the privilege of spending their working days on campus, I was forced to remember what a special place this really is.

We did help a number of freshmen during our few hours on campus that morning. But we also helped ourselves to hearty doses of nostalgia, pride, and yes, Kimball dining along the way.

Lynn ‘01
Associate Director of Admissions

In the Holy Cross Admissions Office, we conduct many interviews over the summer.   It’s really great meeting so many students and their families and we do our best to learn as much as we can about the student in a 20-minute conversation.  We also try to be a resource to students and their families about the college search and application process.

In these interviews, we hear many stories about summer jobs, summer reading, siblings and student government.  Later in the conversation, students often speak with great conviction about what their dream college is like, how big it is, where it is located, their intended major in college and what career they intend to pursue after graduation.

What we don’t hear much of is ambiguity or doubt.

And we all know it exists.  It’s there, inside each of the students we interview.  But they don’t let us see that side of them.

They don’t let us see that side of them because applicants are under the impression that we want them to know everything – everything about themselves, everything about their future, everything about everything.  They believe that part of the condition for admission is complete self-awareness.

But, the truth is, we have great admiration for uncertainty – it combines humility and a deep respect for the unknown forces that lead us down multiple paths throughout our lives.  It is authentic.

So while “I’m not sure” is not a complete answer to a question in an admissions interview, it is a great introduction to an answer that reveals interests, hopes, dreams and, most importantly, an open mind.

Drew
Associate Director of Admissions

At a college fair last spring, a high school junior approached and looked disconcertedly at the inquiry card on my table.  The information requested is simple biographic stuff – name, address, high school, etc.  It is a small first step in the admissions process and filling it out is 95% of the action at a college fair.

Picking up the inquiry card, this student held up the card, looked at me and asked, “Do I have to fill out the whole thing?”

I was speechless.  Literally.

I had no answer to that question.  With hundreds of college fairs in my past, never before had a student asked that question.

Thankfully, the college rep next to me overheard this question and interjected with a colorful response.

“That is not a good start to the process.”

She was right.  Was he really looking for a short-cut already?  If his parents had been there, would his mother have filled out the card?  Probably.

Close to 30% of the emails I receive are “signed” by students but originate from a parent’s email account.  Yes, it is possible that they’ve used their parent’s account for all official correspondence with colleges.  But if I were to guess, I’d say that the parents don’t trust their child’s ability to communicate properly with a college’s admissions office.

What are we to do with these emails?  Do we take them seriously?  If the email states that our college is their first choice, do we take it seriously, in spite of the fact that it originates from a parent’s email account?  If they have a grammatical mistake, should we hold it against the student?

A significant part of this college search and application process is students finding their voice – in conversations with their parents and counselor, in admissions interviews and in application essays.   And while it may seem trivial, an important first step in this process is for students to write their own emails from their own accounts when communicating with an admissions office.
Drew
Associate Director of Admissions

Application reading is now underway here at Holy Cross! As we get back into the swing of reading, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for all of the time and effort you put into your counselor letters. Your letters provide us with an in-depth view of each student. Often, these letters contain valuable information that might not be apparent anywhere else in the file. For example, I recently came across a transcript that was a bit confusing to me. Having been in all honors courses freshman and sophomore year with solid grades, the student suddenly dropped down to lower level courses in junior year and then jumped back up to several AP courses as a senior. After reading the counselor letter, I found out that the student had a serious health issue in junior year, but was hesitant to draw attention to it. The counselor felt it was important to note that despite the illness, the student continued to work extremely hard to get back into those challenging courses senior year. The letter shed light on the extenuating circumstances and helped me get a much fuller picture of the student’s academic and personal qualities.

We know that you have spent countless hours trying to come with the right words that will do justice to each and every student. Please know that we truly appreciate all of your hard work. While trying to make decisions on so many students, having your words of recommendation and praise will often make our job just a little bit easier.

Nicole ‘09
Assistant Director of Admissions

‘Tis the season for….well, for lots of things.  Jolliness, sugar shock, holiday cards.  And questions.  While we truly appreciate the efforts you put into submitting counselor letters that anticipate our committee’s needs, our deliberations often yield additional questions which a review of the file does not answer.  So just as Nicole encouraged you to pick up the phone to advocate for your student, we do not hesitate to pick up our own lines to call you.  Over the past week I have called many counselors to inquire why a student did this, or didn’t do that.  What’s up with ABC, or how come XYZ?  I have always been met with quick responses and direct, honest information.  We know that you have unique insight into the lives of your students, and we are so grateful when you are willing to share that insight with us.  So as you frantically search Amazon for those last minute gifts, perfect your holiday menu in your head and monitor the revolving door of decision time drama and emotions, we thank you for taking our call.

Lynn ‘01
Associate Director of Admissions