application tips – Page 4 – Admission: Not Impossible

November 16, 2009

How do I Know if Admissions has Received all of my Application Materials?

DianeSoboski.BLOG2 You’ve filled out the Common Application and submitted it online, double and triple checking to make sure that you’ve attached your essay upload. You’ve filled out the paper work at your guidance office requesting that they send along your transcript and recommendation letters to Holy Cross (in Massachusetts, not Indiana). You’re positive that everything has been sent to us. We have it, right? You think we have it. You hope we have it. How do you know if we have it?

There’s no need to stay up nights worrying about whether or not we have your materials, you can now check the status of your application materials online! Simply go to our online checklist, click “register”, put in your personal information and you will be provided with a glimpse into our database. More specifically, you’ll see your application checklist as it appears in our records.

Furthermore, you’ll be able to tell exactly what (if anything) is still missing. A list of required application materials will appear along with notation of whether or not each item has been received.

***One caution – It takes some time for us to receive your materials in the mail, open our mail, sort our mail, and input the pieces of your application into our system.

DO NOT PANIC if you do not see all of your materials listed. You may be positive that you sent in that Verification Form, you know that you put the right postage on it, it should have been here, it’s not listed, you may check compulsively – it WILL eventually appear. Give it some time, and if after 10-14 days you still don’t see your materials appear, feel free to call our office and we’ll tell you whether or not we think you need to submit the missing piece again.

We wish you all the best of luck as you finish up those college applications over the next few months. You’re in the home stretch of your application season, and we can’t wait to begin ours!

Diane Soboski
Assistant Director of Admissions

October 22, 2009

How Can I Connect?

JamesRichardson.BLOG2 By now, if you’ve made it this far in the search process, and this deep into the Holy Cross website, you’ve “done your homework” in a manner of speaking. You’ve researched various schools and you know you like Holy Cross, but may still be wondering about a few things, and need some additional information. So, how else might you connect with us to gather those final pieces of information you need? No worries, there’s still time, and lots of ways for you to accomplish this.

As my colleague Amanda Juriansz mentioned in her most recent blog post, an interview is one of the most important “connections” you can make throughout the process. Interviewing is one of the single largest expressions of interest you can make in the College, and one of the easiest ways for you to tell us you’re really serious about your application here. Interviews are offered here on campus until the end of the year, or with an alumnus in your area if that’s easier. SO, as Amanda said, “What are you waiting for? “

Chat it up with us! We will be offering several online chats over the course of the next several weeks and months, so login and chat away with Admissions Counselors, Holy Cross students, and other prospective applicants. The next online chat will be happening November 4 … we’ll hope to see you online from 7:00 – 10:00PM EST, or for any portion of that time you may be available.

Meeting students is always a great way to connect with a college and get a good feel for what life is like there. In our Meet Some Students section online, you can actually specify your criteria, and choose who you want to connect with! Whether its connecting with another student from San Francisco, or someone from Visual Arts, you can choose with whom you correspond.
You can also make some additional connections with us on staff, or with our Admissions Senior Interviewers through the ‘contact us‘ link on the Admissions page. We all have photos and email links there – – whether you recognize us or not, make a connection!

And finally, the absolute best way to “connect” is to apply! Applications for Early Decision consideration are due here in the office December 15, but ED is a rolling process, and we’ll be reviewing applications as soon as November 1st, so feel free to submit your application as soon as it’s ready. Regular Admission applications are due January 15. Apply … and get connected!

Good luck!

James T. Richardson
Associate Director of Admission

October 12, 2009

Declaring a Major

LynnVerrecchia.BLOG2 I’m a driver. I commute over an hour to and from work each day, and spend the better part of the fall months driving around various U.S. cities. I like to drive, and I think I’m pretty good at it. I’m not the type of driver who gets flustered or nervous about navigating around new cities. I’m proud of my ability to quickly figure out the lights/wipers/radio/seat adjustor/cruise control on any rental car, and actually find it kind of exhilarating to drive in a new place.

My current driving conquest is Houston, TX. I’ve noticed something very distinctive about the experience of driving in Houston. There are highways–lots of them. Loops too. And those highways and loops have lanes–lots of them. Most highways I’ve experienced in other cities have 3 lanes, and it is understood that speeders use the left, slowpokes use the right and Goldilocks sticks to the middle. Other than that, the lane you choose means very little.

Not the case in Houston. Most of the highways I’ve driven this week have at least five lanes, and I learned the hard way that the lane you’re in is very important. A lane could veer off and put you on a different highway at any moment. The whole road could split in an instant, and if you haven’t chosen your lane wisely, you may find yourself on an unplanned detour or using one of Houston’s many handy u-turn lanes. You might find yourself shaking your head as your GPS tells you to “stay left, then stay right, then stay right, then stay left”. In Houston, it feels like you need to choose your lane before you put the car in gear. It’s enough to turn the experienced calm driver into a nervous and dangerous lane-changer.

There should be an “undeclared” lane for drivers who need more time to figure out where they’re going. At Holy Cross you can change lanes, and can even change back if you realize you picked the right one the first time. You can hog two lanes for awhile–or for the whole ride if you like. You can even drive right down the middle until you feel ready to make a choice. And if you suddenly find that the path has veered and you’re not on the road you thought you were on, there are always those handy u-turn lanes.

Holy Cross students have until the end of their sophomore year to declare their major. Many students enter Holy Cross undeclared, some pursue double majors, and many others will change their mind at some point. So get excited, get in gear and know that we have faith you’ll find your lane when you’re good and ready.

Houston’s highways could learn a thing or two from Holy Cross.

Lynn Verrecchia
Sr. Assistant Director of Admissions

September 23, 2009

Coming Soon to a City Near You!

It’s that time of year again! The warm temperatures are dropping, students are heading back to school, and admissions counselors are packing up their bags and getting ready to hit the road to meet prospective students all over the country. I often think about how similar the fall season is for high school students and admissions staff. As you all are putting together binders for your classes, meeting new teachers, and mapping out the fastest route from gym to History, we’re doing very similar tasks. I just recently put together my travel binder for the season, I’ll be meeting new guidance counselors that I’ll be working with this year, and I too am trying to plan the quickest way to get from one school to another so that I can meet as many of you as possible in my travels this fall.

We can’t get to every high school, but we do our best to span a large part of the country. You can see what schools we’ve already committed to visiting this year on our Web site. Again, just as your schedule will be changing over the next few weeks while you struggle to fit in every class and extra-curricular you want to do, we too are continuously changing schedules to try to accommodate as many schools as we can. Please check with your guidance department as the date of our visit approaches, and make sure that our schedules are aligned.

We know this is a busy time, but remember as you run from one class to another, hoping to sneak in before the bell, that somewhere there is an admissions counselor scrambling to get to their next visit on time and hoping that their GPS will hold a signal long enough to get them there. Best of luck as you begin your new school year; and we look forward to meeting you!

Diane Soboski
Assistant Director of Admissions

September 7, 2009

Three Cups of Tea

‘Here we drink three cups of tea to do business; the first you are a stranger, the second you become a friend, and the third, you join our family, and for our family we are prepared to do anything – even die.’

This quote is the inspiration for the title of the New York Times bestseller Three Cups of Tea, the remarkable story of Greg Mortenson and his commitment to build schools and improve lives in the poorest villages in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

In preparation for Mr. Mortenson’s visit to Holy Cross at the end of September , I’ve been reading his book. The more I read, the more I realize that there are so many lessons contained within – commitment, honor, the value of hard work, respect, etc.

But perhaps the one lesson that has stuck with me the most is the lesson of perseverance. Without reading the book, you might imagine that Mr. Mortenson decided to build schools and simply did it. It was not that easy.
In building his first school, he had to deal with an unfamiliar foreign land, coming up with enough money, time constraints, missing supplies, etc. It was no easy task.

Similarly, as you sit down to write your Common Application essay, remember the lesson of perseverance. You might struggle with an unfamiliar format, coming up with an idea, time constraints, missing ideas, etc. An essay that you can be proud of is not likely to simply appear on your computer; but know that if you invest your time, effort and hard work, you will succeed. If you persevere, your efforts will be rewarded with an essay of which you can be proud. Hard work always pays off.

Greg Mortenson knows this to be true.

The children who attend his schools know this to be true.

You do, too.

Andrew N. Carter
Associate Director of Admissions

March 18, 2009

How Do We Make Our Admissions Decisions?: An Insider’s Guide to the Committee Process

Monday morning, 9:00 AM: Company in. Twelve admissions counselors. Twelve cups of coffee. Our mission? To decide who gets in.

With so many remarkable candidates, just how do we decide? While some contend we could simply throw the applications into the air, grab a few thousand at random, and hope for the best, the Holy Cross admissions process is a democratic one, where all applications are voted on; majority wins.

As today’s committee fly on the wall, I would like to take this opportunity to shed some light on our unique process. So follow me, behind the closed doors.

Every day, for nine hours a day, for about 5 weeks, we gather together, in the cozy space pictured below:

Back when we were reading all of your applications, we were also summarizing everything in your file, onto what we call a “reading sheet” – a crucial piece of paper that houses a breakdown of your transcript, bits from your recommendations, quotes from the letter from your mom, impressions gathered from your interview, an evaluation of your essay, notes on the academic curriculum offered at your high school, a listing of your test scores (if you decided to submit them), bits about your extra-curriculars, awards, jobs, etc.

During committee, the reading sheets are projected onto the wall, one at a time, for all committee members to see. Everything in your file finds a place onto your reading sheet, and thusly, everything in your file is evaluated by twelve sets of eyes, before a decision is made.

With your reading sheet projected onto the wall, we do, in fact, talk about you. We talk about your achievements, your personality, your background, your goals, your successes, and your failures. Conversations can last anywhere from two minutes to twenty – depending on the case. If there are any questions, we rummage through the file and fill in the blanks. We might re-read the essay. We might double-check the transcript. We examine your school profile. If necessary, we call your guidance counselor. We check again. And again. And again. We might even call your mom. (I kid). The point is, when it comes to assessing your candidacy, there are no stones left unturned

When we are ready, it’s decision time. “Anyone want to Accept?” Hands are raised. And counted. Majority wins. And this is how it works, each and every time.

Why do we do it this way? While admissions-sponsored snacks (important decisions require sustenance) and the option to dress down are obvious perks, we make our admissions decisions as a committee because we feel that a democratic voting process is the fairest way to handle such an overwhelming and often times subjective task.

Why am I telling you all this? Because you have worked very hard on your application, and we believe your hard work affords you reciprocity. We want you to have faith in the fact that your application is in the hands of people that will stop at nothing to make the fairest decisions possible.

And with that, it’s time to get back to work.

Julia Sanders

Admissions Counselor

February 13, 2009

Our deadline to finish reading all these applications (for the second time) is this Sunday.

This is my final blog entry in a week long series inside the application reading process here at Holy Cross.
_______________________________

Our deadline to finish reading all these applications (for the second time) is this Sunday. And while, at times, this reading process can seem so solitary – when we’re reading alone in our office or in Panera with our headphones on – we are never truly alone. It takes so many people to get your completed application into our hands and but there are also innumerable people along the way who enable us to finish reading all these applications in time.

We have so much help.

There are tireless guidance counselors who fax your updated grades.

There are baristas who clean up the pile of pencil eraser shavings at the coffee shop.

There are receptionists who open the mail looking for that last recommendation.

There are slightly sleepy college sophomores who alphabetize all the incoming mail.

There are patient newborn sons who hold still during a good essay.

There are compassionate parents who provide toast with jam while we read your teacher recommendations at the kitchen table.

There are the multi-talented husbands who stir the sauce while holding our infant child allowing us to finish one last application before dinner is served.

There are considerate roommates who use headphones so as to not disturb our concentration.

There are summer employers who write about your dependability and work ethic.

There are kind-hearted boyfriends and girlfriends, cousins and siblings who listen to us read yet another essay out loud that they may or may not find funny.

And there are sweet hound dogs that wait patiently for their walk as we calculate class rank.

Andrew N. Carter
Associate Director of Admissions

February 10, 2009

Tell It Slant

Emily Dickinson wrote, “Tell all the Truth but tell it slant.”

Today, I offer you the truth with no slant. There are questions that admissions counselors are asked so often and, in response, we frequently reply with a long-winded, slanted answer.

Today, I offer you the truth. No slant.

1. “When you’re reading all those applications, doesn’t it get old?”

Yes, it does.
This is perhaps no great surprise. Do anything repetitively and it is likely to get old after a while.

2. “How do you remember all those names?”

We don’t.
That’s why we take really good notes. And while names frequently escape us, the stories stick with us.

3. “Do you really read all those applications?”

No.
I only read some of them; but, I’ve got nearly a dozen great co-workers. At Holy Cross, every application really does get read and, in fact, read by two different admissions counselors.

4. “What do you really look for in an application?”

Really good grades in strong classes.
Now, that doesn’t mean that we don’t also want athletes, musicians, artists, leaders, good Samaritans, etc. But, inevitably, the conversation begins with the transcript. It is the most important document in the application. It is the cake and everything else is just frosting. And yes, we’re greedy – we want frosting with our cake.

5. “Do you like reading applications?”

Most of the time.
Right about now, after about 5 weeks of non-stop reading (and writing), my hand hurts, my neck hurts, my eyes are dry and I’m just a little bug-eyed from all the small print on these transcripts. And there doesn’t seem to be enough time to read all these applications in my office by our deadline on Sunday.

But, this morning, a co-worker of mine told me about an essay I’m likely to find in one of those stacks, one that she thinks I’ll like and I’m curious. I’m curious what’s inside all those folders sitting in my office, whose story they tell and whether they might be good fits for Holy Cross.

So, after a 12 minute break to write this blog entry, I’m re-energized, ready to dive back into the stacks of applications, ready for more cake, ready for more frosting.

Andrew N. Carter
Associate Director of Admissions

December 22, 2008

What Happens to my Application Once It’s Been Submitted?

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…

Well it’s that time of year again. For some of you, this time means finishing up some work before the holiday break, searching for the best deal at the mall or relaxing and spending time by the fire with family and friends. For the world of admissions, it means that reading season is almost upon us.

At this point in time, many of you are probably wondering exactly what happens to your application once it’s been sent to our office. Once your application file is received and is considered complete (it has your application, counselor recommendation letter, teacher recommendation letter, and transcript) it is filed alphabetically in a number of huge filing cabinets located in our office. An admission counselor is assigned to each drawer and is required to complete what we call a “first read” of your application. This requires our lovely yellow reading sheets, in which we record you name, high school, GPA, rank, test scores (if you chose to submit them of course!), the courses you’ve taken, the number of honors, APs, accelerated, advanced classes you’ve taken, the grades you’ve received, and what contact you’ve had with Holy Cross. We also read ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING you send us and briefly summarize each, as well as recording what service, leadership, and extra-curriculars you have been involved in. Once the entire sheet is complete, your application is ready for a “second read” by another counselor. The role of the second reader is much less taxing than that of the first. This second reader double checks the work of the first reader and then records anything else that might stand out. After the second read is complete, the reading of your application is now complete and it is ready to go to our committee!

Happy holidays, happy application completing and happy winter!

Lauren D. Thornton
Admissions Counselor

December 11, 2008

I Want an Interview… and I Can’t Get One.

Two months ago I wrote a blog about the importance of the interview. Many of you got the message. You probably got the same message if you attended an information session on campus or if you met a Holy Cross representative at your school this fall. You nodded, you understood, you made a mental note — and then you missed the deadline. Or you called our office recently and found out that we are booked solid through the end of the month. What now? Remember not just that we told you to have an interview, but what we said about why. We want to know you, and our full schedule does not change that fact. But unfortunately, that fact does not change our full schedule. So you may not be able to have an interview after all, but you can still help us to know you better. Some students choose to submit a letter or e-mail “filling in the blanks” that may exist in the absence of an interview. Such letters can provide additional information about accomplishments, interests and passions. They can answer some of the questions an interviewer might ask.

If you write it, we’ll read it. So start filling in those blanks.

Lynn Verrecchia
Sr. Assistant Director of Admissions