Diving right in...
After learning I work in college admissions, an aquintance asked me Monday night, "so what do you do all year, what's a typical day like?"
I must confess, I was a little offended by the question. But I got to thinking, what an apropos topic for my first blog.
Who am I, and what exactly do I do at Lasell?
OK - here it goes, I'm James and I'm the Director of Undergraduate Admission.
That's it, there's no more time today for lengthy introductions. (Maybe Later)
The Admissions Office is just too busy for that right now.
Why? Because there are no "typical" days in admissions.
The calendar indicates the start of the fall semester is only about a month away. That means the Office of Undergraduate Admission is confirming our new students as they prepare to move in and particpate in our "week of welcome". Simultaneously, we've already begun recruiting the class of 2012 (the next class to enter the college), by re-designing publications, updating our literature, the website, and our statistics. You'd be amazed by all the changes at Lasell!
Ironically as the incoming class arrives on-campus - our admissions team will depart, traveling to over 800 high schools and attending college fairs from Maine to Maryland. Curious if I or one of our couselors is headed your way? We've been planning fall travel since June. Meet the team and see if we're planning a trip to your area. http://www.lasell.edu/admission/counselors.asp
Back on-campus in the fall, we'll be preparing to host our Open House - it's Sunday November 4th, and the day is jam-packed with activities and information for prospective students and their familes. Click on the link to learn more about Fall Open House - http://www.lasell.edu/admission/open_house.asp
In the winter, we review the thousands of applications we've received and we'll begin to mail out decisions. It's not as easy as it sounds. Each year we grow more and more competitive, making the selection process extremely challenging. Not too many people know this, but I hand sign each applicants decison letter. When I first joined Lasell, over 5 years ago, I was signing far more acceptance letters than I do now. For me, signing letters has become one of those unofficial ways I know we've become more selective.
Spring means accepted students day, spring travel, orientations, and of our enrollment deadline of May 1.
Which brings us to the Summer and to yesterday...Monday. Just another "typical day" in the Admission Office - right? Wrong!
Yesterday, we welcomed 20 students from Global Citizens, a holistic, Cambridge-based youth program, for an afternoon of college awareness. The day included campus tours, an overview of admissions, financial aid, college athletics, and we provided these young adults with a sampling of two of Lasell’s popular majors, Fashion and Communications.
I almost forgot, we did take a break for some ice cream...
Breaks over, and I've got work to do...
Preview of my next Blog:
I recently moved and as you'll read - lived to blog about it. However, it did bring back some fond and some not so fond memories of moving into my first college dorm room. Stay tuned...