We Can See the Light at the End of the Tunnel!

So we spent the week or so after my last post finishing reading regular decision applications - a week or so earlier than normal, thanks to our electronic processing and reading system. This allowed us an entire two weeks to shape the class - this is an incredibly daunting process, so the more time we have, the better. Every student is reviewed by the committee in the group setting, which means that there is a different opinion for each person in the room. While I cannot recreate any conversation in particular, I can say that we are thorough, debating every aspect possible. This is when we really get to know our applicant pool - and each other.

It's interesting to see how students from Indiana differ from those from Colorado, which is certainly different from those in Queens, NY or local Bethlehem, PA. These differences really allow us to balance the class in fun ways - pulling in students with a wide variety of talents, experiences, opinions, backgrounds, and more. By the end of the day today, we all felt quite comfortable with where the class stands, and thus we can move to the next step. It's sad to think about all of the amazing students we can't take, but we grow increasingly excited about those to whom we are able to offer admission.

Now I know you are all waiting to hear about our decisions - and I can understand that. But getting decisions online and in the mail is much more difficult than you would think. First, we "convert" preliminary decisions to final decisions. What this means is that we avoid making mistakes, sending letters to students before we are ready. After they are final decisions, we then begin the printing process - this is incredibly tedious since the offer letters include information about admission to special programs (IBE, IDEAS, South Mountain College, etc.) and merit scholarships. Once the letters are printed, each one, quite literally, is reviewed to ensure the information in the letter is correct for that specific student. We couldn't thank our data entry and support staff anymore for the great work they do with these. It allows the counselors to look ahead to the upcoming on-campus programs (Junior Open House, busy visit days in April, on-campus admitted student events, etc.) and off-campus travel (college fairs for juniors and admitted student events). It would be a difficult balance without the staff checking letters - so I think everyone should be grateful for the accuracy of our notifications each year.

In the meantime, the Office of Financial Aid is busy working on need-based aid packages. The counselors are evaluating information submitted and developing the aid packages that contain grants, work-study, and (minimal) loans. Then once they print and check their letters, they send them up to our office so that those being offered admission, submitted paper work on time, and who have a demonstrated financial need, can receive need-based aid information along with their admission decision. Some parents and students complain about the financial aid deadlines we have, but the benefit is that we are able to send everything out together - if we extended deadlines into March, financial aid packages would not be completed until mid to late April. (I have to give a quick shout out to everyone in financial aid for their hard work during this time of year! They are incredibly efficient and accurate as well!)

These days I'm working on web pages for all of our admitted student events, which are on and off-campus, in April. I'm making sure registrations work, links to important documents are functioning properly, and that the admitted student portal has a calendar that is easy to read. In the back of my mind, I'm also looking forward to seeing some of my high school counselors, alums, and parents of current students when I travel in April. It'll be here before you know it, which is crazy to me. Feels like the years have flown by.

Off to book my flights for April and watch Glee (since it's spring break, I don't have to read for a Thursday grad class this week and can actually watch a TV show the night it actually is on TV!)

Have a great night!