October 2011
1 post
1 tag
“but a day will come and i will reject your university…i...”
– A response to a denial of admission email.
August 2011
1 post
RESPOND!
A student emailed me with five questions. Within two minutes, as I was beginning my response to the email, the same student called me on the phone and asked me to respond to his email. I tried to clarify and see if he wanted me to answer his questions over the phone. He replied (over the phone) that I should just respond to his email.
April 2011
1 post
March 2011
1 post
The Top Places to Study Video Game Design -- For... →
This is incredibly useful information!
February 2011
2 posts
Urban Prep charter school again beats odds →
I love this story.
December 2010
2 posts
Applying to College: Advice From a Grizzled Senior →
Crabby
I got called out by a person on the phone today for sounding “defensive” AKA crabby as I discussed an admissions decision. At first it made me even more crabby, but now as I think back on it I’m just embarrassed. The decision by the way was a deny decision and it was for this persons fiancee. I didn’t make the decision and didn’t know many answers about it, which...
October 2010
1 post
Submitting Transcripts
If you have a hold on your record at your previous school (likely for financial reasons), why do you think we would overlook that when making decisions for our school? If you can’t pay your bills there, can we expect you to pay your bills here?
September 2010
1 post
July 2010
3 posts
English Proficiency
If I have to explain the exemptions to the English Proficiency exams five times in a row to you, chances are you probably shouldn’t be exempt.
March 2010
7 posts
FYI"Thank you for calling University. How can I...
Acceptable responces:
“Hi, who do I need to talk to about ____?”
“Can you transfer me to ____’s office? Thank you.”
”____ please”
Unacceptable responces:
*silence* … “Hello?”
*roommate screaming, TV on, radio on, baby crying, pig squealing* … “Hello??” (1)
“Registrar” (2, see below)
Side Notes:
Admissions is not “Administration”.
Any office on campus can transfer you. Admissions can...
WatchVideo Essays? I once had a student write a personal statement in invisible ink and send a black light to read it. Turns out I didn’t have to he was more than qualified.
Backdoor?
A student called today to ask if there was a “backdoor” into one of our competitive programs. His friend got in that way. At least he was honest.
Want to Get into Harvard? Spend More Time Staring... →
eartha:(via mviloria1)
“Considered” and “Admitted” are two different words with completely different meanings.
January 2010
3 posts
“Robert Bardwell, a college counselor at Monson High School in western...”
– Colleges Market Easy, No-Fee Sell to Applicants - NYTimes.com
Mr. Bardwell, we are not tricking students. We are not preying on them at a vulnerable time. We are simply providing them with affordable options to consider. They are free to visit and inquire about our programs, campus etc. Also,...
No questions?
If you schedule an advising appointment it is expected that you have a question or at least a purpose. Just showing up is a waste of my time and yours.
December 2009
3 posts
Report: Exemptions benefit athletes →
In a word. DERRRRRRRR
Some students are extraordinary students and others are extraordinary athletes. What do you bring to the table?
Yale Admits Quadruplets! →
Paying
As an admissions counselor it is not my responsibility to help you finance your education. There are financial aid options available and yes some of them are loans. Loans are not evil!
November 2009
1 post
October 2009
2 posts
Computers?
I just spoke with a student at a college fair who is interested in either computer science or computer engineering. When I asked if he preferred hardware or software, he responded, “What are those?” Not a good sign.
Easiest
Do not ask me which major is the easiest to gain admission because your GPA is low. That is insulting. I will not assist you, an under achieving student, backdoor your way into my college.
August 2009
4 posts
Watch
“pre⋅req⋅ui⋅site [pri-rek-wuh-zit, pree-]
–adjective
1. required beforehand”
– Dictionary.com
Video Games
Way too many students want to design video games when they get older. I’m not so sure that they want to design video games as much as play them. I don’t think they understand that video games take a lot of work. It’s programming the mechanics of the game, the graphics, the interface, etc. It’s also developing a story and script. Most of todays video games have taken...
How To Go To MIT For Free →
johncarney:
A lot of you have probably heard me put down going to college or graduate school. Well, this is the exception. In fact, it’s so exceptional that you really have no excuse not for taking MIT’s courses regardless of whether you are in high school right now or already in the workforce.
Also, I explain how to overcome common objections like (a) lack of a peer group and (b) lack of an...
July 2009
2 posts
Home school
Home school parents and students are the best. Sometimes they list themselves at the top of their class (of one). Some times they list themselves as homecoming royalty, etc. Very creative.
Phone Ettiquette
When I am returning your call I find it very rude to hear “who is this?” in respsonse to my first words. It would likely be better to inquire, “may I ask who is calling?”.
June 2009
5 posts
She finally has a home: Harvard →
The next student to tell me that they weren’t driven in high school, I will promptly punch in the face.
We're not "friends"
It’s a little weird to get a friend request on Facebook, Myspace or otherwise from a student you met through the admissions process. We’re not your friend, we just helped you get into college. Period.
Trick Question
Asking an admissions counselor what make their school better than other schools is a trick question. You’ll never get an honest answer.
After all of the really annoying and pushy parents and students, every once in a while there is a student that understands and is honestly a pleasure to work with.
Special
Parents,
If you have to call us and argue that your child is gifted or special, they probably aren’t as gifted or special as you think.
Sorry,
Admissions
May 2009
11 posts
Majors
I’m really sorry but most four year state universities don’t offer comotology as a major.
Food
Is it strange that the biggest criticism about an admissions recruitment event is always about the free food?
Watch
College Athletics
If you’re in your senior year of high school and you have to ask a Division I school how to be recruited, you’re not going to be recruited.
Important things
Once a student from out of state asked me about our school via email. Specifically how the “gurls” looked.
Relations
I once received a phone message from a student’s girlfriend’s mother. She wanted to discuss her daughter’s boyfriends admission status.
How to deliver a deny decision #2
All of you who think they are admitted to the University step forward.
<wait for the students to step forward>
Not so fast.
Colleges Struggle to Figure Out Who Will Say Yes -... →
How to deliver a deny decision
Knock, knock
Who’s there?
You’re denied.
Rule #1
LISTEN!