Introducing an Admissions Reader I: Leigh Lieberman

Hope you all enjoyed the profiles of Mark and Jeremiah last week, and also took the time to read the profiles of the rest of the Admissions Committee posted last year. Now that you have met the full team, it is time to introduce you to two additional people who assist in the evaluation of applications.

With 14,000+ applications and just 10 full-time admissions counselors, you need some assistance with the evaluation profess. So each year we hire a handful of professionals to work as Application Readers and assist with the first reads of our applications. In the past and currently we have hired former Admissions staff members, faculty, and other educational professionals to help out. This year we have hired two Admissions readers who share a common past -- they both graduated from Hopkins just last year. So without further adieu, allow us to introduce you to Admissions Reader Leigh Lieberman and then stay tuned earliy next week when we introduce Rudy Martinez.

Name: Leigh Lieberman

Education: Johns Hopkins Class of 2006: BA in Classic and minor in Mathematics 2006. Will complete MA in Classics in 2007.

What have you been doing since you graduated?: I've got a legitimate reason for sticking around campus after graduation - I'm getting my Masters Degree in Classics. The Department of Classics has a five year BA/MA program. In the fall, I was taking three classes: The Homeric Hymns to Apollo and Hermes, Classical Greek Vase Painting, and Elementary German. I also spent a good portion of my free time working in the JHU Archaeological Collection and dramatically bossing people around as the President of the JHU Barnstormers, the oldest and largest theatre group here on the Homewood campus. This semester, in addition to continuing with Elementary German, I'm also taking a course in Roman  Historiography and working almost full time on my Masters Thesis.

Why were you interested in reading applications for your alma mater?: With everything that I've got on my plate this year, I'm actually surprised that I have time to still work in Undergraduate Admissions!  However, I've been active in the office since my sophomore year. I started off as a Blue Key Tour Guide, worked my way up the ladder as a Student Employee and Admissions Representative. During the spring semester of my senior year, I was the Office Intern - not only was I able to continue helping the counseling staff, but I also worked directly with prospective applicants, leading information sessions on campus every day. I also wrote the first ever Guest Blog entry, check it out here. bviously, reading applications was the next step for me. Although reading definitely takes up a lot of time and energy, it's something that I can do at home in my spare time, so the job compliments my hectic schedule.  Also, having met so many prospective students and having been a part of the thriving student body here at Hopkins myself, I think I offer some important insight as to what *makes* a good Hopkins student, and that's an important, part of the process.

So far, what has been the most difficult part for you when reviewing applications?: Every applicant is smart.  Every applicant boasts a pristine transcript coupled with countless community service hours and an extensive resume of leadership positions.  For me, the most difficult part of reviewing an application is trying to distinguish what makes a student unique.  What qualities does this individual have that will really help him or her succeed in this community?  Will he or she make a sincere impact here at Hopkins both inside and outside the classroom?  Every applicant can succeed in one dimension, but I think the students that are truly well-rounded are harder to find on paper.

How do you approach reading an application?: My favorite place to read applications is Starbucks. Although there are several indie coffee shops right around campus that I love to frequent in my free time, they are generally more cramped and noisier than the corporate chains. Although I'm all about the underdog on your normal academic Wednesday, when I have to read applications, I prefer the peace and comfort of familiarity.  My drink of choice when reading is a Tall Skinny Caramel Macchiatto, in case you wanted to know. 

Once I've got my order settled, I can sit down with a pile of applications, pens of various colors, and a calculator; then, and only then, can I get down to business. I normally read applications from front to back, taking notes as I go through: Part I, Part II, Essays, School Report, and Letters of Recommendation. If applicants send in any supplemental information, I make sure to go through all of that as well; although research abstracts go way over my head, I make sure to store the knowledge in case I need to make small talk at a party later in the week.

How hard has it been to balance your time?: I always make up a reading schedule, but I tend not to follow it. For instance, Monday mornings, I always plan on waking up, going to Sunrise Yoga at the Rec Center and then sitting down on campus for a few hours to read applications before my 10am class.  However, I inevitably sleep through my alarm, miss yoga entirely, and end up running into class right before the start of the hour.  I set daily goals for myself, though, making sure that I get through a certain number of applications every day so that I don't get behind.  Also, because I've been thrown into the academic deep-end recently with my thesis deadline quickly approaching, reading applications is a good break from the overly academic reading and writing I've got to get through each day.

What have become your Admissions application pet peeves? (What drives you crazy?): I don't appreciate it when activities both inside and outside the classroom aren't thoroughly explained.  You might spend most of your free time involved with Key Club or NHS, but if you don't let me know what that particular organization is all about, I don't really know what you've been up to. Likewise, there's a big difference between having played on the tennis team in high school and having been the Most Improved Player in tenth grade, Most Valuable Player in eleventh grade, Captain and District Champ in twelfth grade.  Don't be afraid to brag about your accomplishments and don't be afraid to attach a separate resume.  I'm able to paint a better picture of an applicant the more you give me to work with.

Now that you are on your way to becoming an expert, any advice on how to approach writing one's college essays?: I dislike unenthusiastic and unoriginal *free day* essays. I don't want to be bored to tears by your lame day. In all seriousness, I can try to offer some humble advice: be unique.  Everyone goes to Central Park or the beach.  Everyone spends the day reading and relaxing or catching up with old friends or family members. Free days don't come often - we know that - that's why we're giving you the opportunity to go all out. Also, remember that although this essay is definitely a creative exercise, you have the opportunity to really characterize what's important to you.  Use the space to really tell us something about yourself: what you value, and what you find meaningful.

Do you foresee this as a future career option?: I've loved my experiences working in Undergraduate Admissions over the years, at several different levels.  I'll be honest: a career in this field isn't my first choice.  I've recently applied to PhD programs in Classical Archeology, but if that does not work out, Admissions is my next choice (and it's by no means a bad backup plan)!

And to finish on a fun note, if stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you want with you?:  By far the most thought-provoking question in this survey. I'd probably bring my favorite book, Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughter-House Five, a picture of my Mom and Dad and I standing in front of a Circle Line Ferry, and a bathing suit - because a Florida girl knows what to do on a beach.

Comments

[Denise Alba]

I would disagree about there being "a big difference between having played on the tennis team in high school and having been the Most Improved Player in tenth grade, Most Valuable Player in eleventh grade, Captain and District Champ in twelfth grade." Some schools or teams just don't really give out awards, and positions of leadership are oftentimes bestowed randomly. And a lot of times honors are much more readily given to talented students who show up to practice very infrequently but have somewhat more talent than the students who are the most committed and lead by example even without a nominal position of leadership.

[Leigh Lieberman]

Hey Denise!

I don't think I was really clear by what I meant there. Some students, when they're listing their activities, could round out their accomplishments a lot more than they do in their applications. Whether you've been given prestigous titles or not, if the activity has been meaningful to you, let the application reader know! I guess what I should have said was something to the effect of, "It's one thing to be just a member of the tennis team and it's another thing to be invested in the sport." I like to see dedication in students, both inside and outside the classroom.

Thanks for reading!
Leigh

[Kathy]

I seem to recall that the common application did not allow for a lot of comments/explanations regarding activities. The slot would only take a small amount of computer info. Maybe the Hopkins supplement should have a section for applicants to further explain their activities.

[Chris]

Yeah, the list on the JHU webapp was also limited. I just went ahead and gave them descriptions of my activities seperately.