Winter is officially upon us. In fact, just yesterday, Holy Cross enjoyed its first official “Snow Day” since 1997. In Admissions, the arrival of winter shifts our focus from interviewing, to filing and reading applications. To commemorate this shift, I wanted to share a few scenes of the season with you. Enjoy!
Amanda Juriansz
Assistant Director of Community Outreach
The gifts have been exchanged, and the resumes and recommendations arranged, but have you clicked submit or put your application in the Postman’s mitts? Many of you have, we’re sure (because your applications are now on our desks), and so we’re saying, ” ’tis the season”, for reading the application you’ve assembled.
In a few days we’ll shut the doors of the admissions office, and gear up for reading all of your applications. For this, we’ll need supplies. There are many components that allow us to have a successful reading session. I thought I’d share with you my recipe:
50 applications for admission; 25 early decision, 25 regular admission
1 sharp or refillable mechanical pencil
1 eraser stick
1 calculator
1 pack of post-it flags and memos
1 highlighter
1 reader evaluation pad
1 box Krispy Kreme donuts
40 ounces of coffee (not shown here)
Pull the first application from the top of the stack. Sift through the transcript by reading honors and AP courses, as well as grades. Using the mechanical pencil, transfer data from the transcript, Counselor and Teacher recommendations and essay on to the reader evaluation pad. Have calculator, eraser stick, highlighter and post-it flags nearby, just in case. Place Krispy Kreme donut (or, donuts) in microwave oven for 20 seconds on medium heat; consume slowly to savor the full flavor and flair of the application. Add final thoughts and enjoy.
Best of luck with the home stretch of the application process everyone. We’re excited to “devour” your applications!
Jim Richardson
Associate Director of Admissions
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…or so they say. With the busy holiday season quickly approaching, we all have a lot on our minds – what present to buy Dad, what to wear to that holiday party next weekend, where to spend New Year’s Eve…w and the list goes on. While most of us are stressing about these menial details, all of you high school seniors are most likely stressing about the ever-looming college application deadlines. I won’t preach to you about the importance of meeting said deadlines, but instead offer a friendly reminder of our upcoming deadlines:
December 15th – Deadline for EARLY DECISION applications
December 29th – Deadline for ON-CAMPUS INTERVIEWS (Regular Decision applicants)
January 15th – Deadline for REGULAR DECISION applications
February 1st – Deadline for FINANCIAL AID applications
Hopefully these deadlines will allow you to plan ahead and enjoy this busy time of the year. Have a wonderful holiday season everyone!
Lauren D. Thornton
Assistant Director of Admissions
I submitted my Regular Decision application way back in October, why will I not hear the decision until April?
Great question. Although math is not my strong suit, I will put on my Stat. Hat and consult with the Fraction Faction to provide you with an answer:
Holy Cross will receive roughly 7,000 applications this year. Each application is carefully read by two members of our thirteen member admissions staff between January 1st and February 15th. Therefore, each counselor must read ((7,000 apps x 2 reads)/12 counselors) applications over that six week period. I will not go any further with the math in terms of applications read per day, but I will note that a typical 5 day/8 hours a day work weeks go out the window in the Admissions world during reading season (and travel season for that matter).
So, why don’t we hear on February 15th?
Full of great questions, are we? Well, the process does not stop after reading season is over. Our twelve person Admissions staff then goes to Committee through the end of March to revisit every single file to make our final Admissions decisions as a group (majority rules – all votes counted evenly). Therefore, (12 counselors discussing 7,000 apps/6 weeks) = (396 cups of coffee/x bathroom breaks)+(8,326 insightful questions asked + 178 Counselor calls) A.K.A. The creation of the Class of 2015.
So, please remember that we are working on par with Santa’s elves this holiday/application season before you pick up the phone to inquire if we have made a decision on your Regular Decision application yet. My advice: Munch on Holiday cookies, enjoy time with your family and friends, and leave the application stress to us.
Dan Weagle ’08
Admissions Counselor
November was an exciting month full of unpredictable weather, the beginning of college basketball season, and the Perspectives program put on by the admissions office here at Holy Cross. This is after all my favorite time of year and I was able to capture all of the glory in one weekend with Perspectives and the Holy Cross Crusader Men’s Basketball home opener. Perspectives is a program designed to showcase diversity at the college as well as give participants an opportunity to have intellectual debate, understand the selective college admission process, and envision themselves as members of the ‘Sader Nation’.
Throughout the program, the students were challenged to step out of their comfort zone and have serious conversations about diversity; from ethnic diversity to religious diversity, socio-economic diversity, diversity of opinion and more. Through conversations with each other, faculty/staff and current students they were each able to feel like Holy Cross students for the day and express their thoughts and opinions through rigorous discussion.
We then put the academic discussions aside to witness the Sader Nation in full swing with the men’s basketball team’s home opener against the College of Charleston. Nothing beats the first home basketball game, the stands were full with fans eagerly awaiting our team and new coaching staff looking to predict what the next five months will hold. We came to the game prepared…faces painted, purple, black and white shirts on ready to cheer on the men in the packed gym! Unfortunately the men ultimately fell to the Cougars but the Crusader spirit was alive in our group. I can’t wait for more!
Julliana Jennings
Assistant Director of Admissions
Over the Thanksgiving break, I was able to spend some time reflecting on all of the things that I am thankful for. Below I’ve listed a few, relating to Holy Cross:
I am thankful for the Guidance Secretaries who worked with us to schedule our many high school visits this fall, and for the cooperation they and their Counselor colleagues showed us when we arrived.
I am thankful for the Faculty, Administrators and fellow Staff here at the College of the Holy Cross with whom I have the pleasure of working everyday, and for their commitment to the wonderful students here.
I am thankful for all of our Admissions Senior Interviewers, Tour Guides, Online Chatters, Greeters, and all of our Alumni Volunteers who help us tell the Holy Cross story and reach out to many more students than we would be able to reach alone.
I am thankful for the applicants, some of whom will become the next generation of Holy Cross Crusaders, and the commitment each has made to their own education, school and community.
And I’m thankful to be here, in this beautiful place called the College of the Holy Cross, and to take part in telling the story.
Jim Richardson
Associate Director of Admissions
On behalf of the entire Admissions staff, I would like to extend to you and your family our very best wishes for a happy Thanksgiving. We hope you have a wonderful holiday surrounded by family, friends, and of course, good food.
Best wishes,
Ann McDermott
Director of Admissions
Thanksgiving break is only days away and, while it may be tempting to eat the turkey and give into napping your vacation away, it is also a great time to work on those college applications. If you are submitting your application ED, then this is the perfect time to read over that essay one more time before the December 15th Early Decision deadline.
Instead of sitting in front of the TV, call upon your relatives to proof read your essay. They will most likely approach your work with a fresh perspective that mom, dad, or even siblings may have lost by the 6th time reading your college essay. Perhaps your cousin, who is just back from his first semester of college, can give you some great editing tips that will make your essay that much more exciting.
Use your extra time to polish your college applications or even add supplements. An art, theater, or music supplement may be one more great way to show Admissions your personality and interests. With a 4 day weekend, you could easily put together a portfolio or even record your musical performances. The application season can fly by so use this extra time when you are not busy with school work or extra-curricular activities to get ahead of the deadlines that are lurking after Christmas.
Krystle Leveille
Admissions Counselor
I read my first application today.
I de-constructed the transcript. I read, evaluated and summarized the recommendations. I read through the interview evaluation. I summarized the extra-curricular activities.
And then I got to the essay.
It was at that point that I turned the calculator off; I pushed my laptop to the side. I minimized the spreadsheet and put my pencil down.
I sat back in my chair and I read.
Up until that point, I’d been evaluating data and building a composite of who this student is, using a collection of sources, mainly other people’s voices. The essay was my first chance to hear the student’s voice. I was making a painting of the student and all of a sudden, the paintbrush was in the student’s hand.
Suddenly, the rest of the file made sense. Suddenly, I had a sense of who this student is. Suddenly, it was time to pick up the pencil, turn on the calculator and move on to the next application.
Andrew N. Carter
Associate Director of Admissions
College of the Holy Cross •1 College Street, Worcester, MA 01610 •508-793-2011
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