Hopkins Insider

WHY HOPKINS: Advice from Admissions Daniel

Greetings blog readers. I am currently in quaint Andover, Massachusetts on what might be the most perfect weather day possible. The temperature is in the mid-70s, the sky is a perfect blue with only a few lonely clouds, and there is a nice constant, gentle breeze. No humidity, no threat of awful rain and thunderstorms, and no complaints about being too cold, too hot, or too anything. I am actually typing this entry while sitting on one of the many quads at Phillips Academy … it reminds me of my college days. I am here to attend a college fair to recruit students for the Classes of 2014 and beyond, but my purpose in writing this blog entry is to one last time try to help the admitted Class of 2013.

A month ago many of you who received the great news of your admission to Hopkins on March 27th. Some of you have made the easy and great decision to become a Johns Hopkins blue jay (Woo hoo!), while others have decided on going somewhere else (why are you still reading this blog then ???). But there is a third group of you out there … and those are the ones who are admitted yet undecided. The ones who are struggling with the ultimate decision of what college to attend It is this group that I write to currently. With the May 1st response deadline only days away, if you fall into this last group, you must be at the stage of pulling your hair out. I hope I can help.

 Actually, I hope I have helped a bit so far. Since the release of decisions, I have posted a few blog entries under the title: WHY HOPKINS. If you have yet to read through these entries, I encourage you to do so, especially the one I posted last week that shared thoughts from current students. I also hope that you had the chance to visit campus for one of the Admitted Student Open Houses. And/Or I hope you have been using the Hopkins Forums and the Admitted Student Facebook Groupto learn as much as you can about JHU. Despite all of these resources, I know that some of your are still not ready to make that final decision.

For those of you who have yet to sign the bottom line of an enrollment form I know you don't need to be reminded that May 1st - College Decision Day - is at the end of the week. You are probably feeling an overwhelming mix of anxiety, confusion, and hopefully a tinge of excitement too. Not sure if you should choose Johns Hopkins over any of the other elite schools you have been admitted to. Trying to imagine what your four years will be like in Baltimore or at University X, Institution Y, or College Z. Attempting to predict the "value" of the education you will get at each school. For many, this is the first major decision you will make in life, and though in the end it will not determine your future completely, it does matter. I commend you for taking your time and focusing your energies, but I also will ve quite parental and let you know it is time to make a decision. And they say "getting in" is the hardest part!

So how do you choose? How do you make this big decision? What is the right choice? All these questions are justified, but in the end it is you and you alone who has to make the choice. Choosing which college / university to attend is one of those life-altering decisions where you must weigh all the factors, big and small. This decision-making process challenges your ability to self analyze your personal priorities and preferences while forcing you to attempt to predict the next four years of your life. And not only does this choice impact those next four years, it will leave an eternal mark on you as the school becomes your alma mater and an important line on your resume.

I get that this last paragraph did not help and probably added to your level of stress, so let me see if I can be of assistance throughout the rest of this post. I have ten plus years of experience watching students just like all of you struggle with which school will be the right one. As well, way back when, I also struggled with making the Big Decision. It can be a daunting task but if you approach the decision-making process with an organized mind and game plan, you will find clarity and the right choice. Over the years, my advice for the admitted yet undecided falls into four categories:

I. Self-analysis and Research

The first thing you must do when approaching a Big Decision is to determine what is it you want/need and then research all the aspects behind the decision. You may have done one before, or avoided it like a plague these past few years, but a self-analysis can be quite helpful before deciding which college to attend. It is a good idea to re-consider those big questions you asked before, and it you didn't do one, now is definitely the time. Ask yourself the big questions, and be honest with yourself when it comes to the answers:

• What kind of a school do I want to attend for four years? Location, atmosphere?
• What kind of student body am I looking for? Do I think I will mesh well with the current students?
• What kind of academic opportunities will be available to me as an undergraduate, and what am I actually looking for?
• Same question, but relate it to extracurricular opportunities. Which is more important to me - academics or social life or a mix of both?
• What about the professors? Are they accessible? Can I see myself learning from them? Do I want to learn from them?
• Will I be proud in four years to call myself an alumnus of the school?
• Will I / Can I make a difference?

If you visited your final choice schools it is probably easier to answer these questions with the certain schools in mind. If you didn't visit, hopefully you did a lot of surfing on each school's Web sites to gather as much information as possible. You may also want to create a ranking system for each question you ask of yourself and how each school measures up as well.

II. Pro / Con Lists

I can not emphasize this step enough. Make PRO/CON lists for each school you are considering. For some of you the thought of lists may be laughable, but take my word for it -- they actually work. It is time for you to really start thinking about FIT. Write down the name of each school you are considering, then draw two columns under each school's  name -- one with a "+" and one with a "-". Now start listing the strengths and weaknesses.

Not only is this the time where you can catalog your personal opinions about each school's strengths and weaknesses, it also becomes a study in what characteristics you find most important. If you did a self-analysis, now is the perfect time to match your thoughts of what you want to your opinions about what each school has to offer. Location, size, friendliness, professors, extracurricular offerings, cost, academic opportunities, etc. -- list everything from the most important detail to the most minute. Nothing is too ridiculous to be included on these lists, and actually the best thing is to keep these lists private so they remain lists of your own thoughts. Consider it a personal brain dump that in the end will bring clarity, focus, and the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. All in all, this is your compare and contrast system, and as I said it can really work.

III. Do Not Focus on Statistics and Rankings

Rankings and statistics can be helpful as you first start thinking about colleges and as you decide where to apply. In all honesty though, rankings are superficial at best when deciding which school to ultimately attend.

Seriously, statistical analysis should be kept to the process of choosing which schools to apply to. Throw US News out the window; ignore the numbers that can actually be manipulated to prove any point you want; avoid side-by-side number comparisons of schools. It is time to focus on the intangibles. The schools you have been admitted to are all fantastic and they will all offer you amazing opportunities if you have the initiative and drive (which you probably do). Numbers can not predict whether you will be happy for the next four years, whether you will be challenged, whether you will be stimulated. The top schools are all top schools - it now comes down to FIT, and a percentage, formula, or statistics can not determine FIT.

Just yesterday I was speaking with a student struggling to make his college decision and he was asking questions about acceptance rates and rankings. He actually told me he was probably going to choose the school that was ranked higher than JHU by U.S. News because of that ranking. When I inquired more he told me he enjoyed his visit to JHU immensely, even more than his visit to the "higher ranked" school. I finally had to ask what was the other school, and lo and behold it was a school ranked one spot higher than Hopkins. I then shared my green versus red apple, not apple versus orange metaphor and I think I finally got him to understand that you don't choose your college because of an arbitrary ranking that is created by the news media to make money.

IV. Input From Others (Be Aware)

If you listen to anything I write, please listen to this -- make sure to avoid hearsay, conjecture, myths, rumors - they often are far from the truth: Can I say this any louder? Each and every individual sees each and every college differently. Do your own research, get information directly from the source, and avoid the biased comments and come up with your personal thoughts. There is no cardinal rule that says if you read it or heard it, it must be 100% true. You need to filter through everything. (I hope you hear that College Confidential students!) Consider everything -- both overly positive and overly  negative comments -- with a grain of salt. And ultimately, your own personal conclusions are the ones to believe.

At Hopkins, we deal with myths and conjecture about our school way too much. If you are a frequent visitor to our blogs, message boards, or just speak with our students you will see that we are not only sick of these myths but can dispel them at every turn. And this is not just true about myths at Hopkins, many other elite schools are haunted by ridiculous and untrue myths. Make your own opinions and stick to them.

Clearly you need to talk with others about this decision, and your family should be the top of the list. Your college counselor or respected teacher is another great source. Friends can be helpful, but their advice could also be worth nothing. Make sure to gather information from the school's themselves, check out their message boards or Facebook group -- gather as much information as possible. Just do me one favor, don't rely on anonymous sources.  Do not get hung up on myths, stereotypes, or other hearsay -- filter through the information along with your own personal conclusions.

If all else fails ...

Still confused? Still can't make the decision?

If all else fails, listen to your gut! In the end, know one thing ... once you make your final selection you have found the RIGHT SCHOOL. It is one of the hidden truths of the admissions process, once you commit you begin to mold your choice into the perfect school for you.College is what you make of it - go out there and be successful.

Best of luck!
And choose Johns Hopkins ... wink, wink.

Why Hopkins: Let's Hear from the Students

Earlier this week was our third and final Admitted Student Open House and thankfully Mother Nature finally delivered some nice weather. During the first Open House on April 7th we dealt with 40 mph winds and 40 degree weather -- actual snowflakes were seen in the afternoon. Then for the second Open House on April 14 we experienced torrential rain, high winds, and once again temperatures in the 40s. Thankfully we did not complete a trifecta of horrid weather days on April 21, as we had mostly sunny skies, and high 60 degree weather for the final Open House. In total for the three programs, we had record crowds, and almost universally positive praise for how the programs when (despite the weather and the crowds).

With the Open Houses done, and the end to our re-visit programs for admitted students, there is now a countdown until the May 1 decision deadline. As it stands now many of the admits have made their decision -- great decision for those choosing to be part of the JHU Class of 2013. However, some of you still have decisions to make. With just one week left, I thought I would continue the WHY HOPKINS theme. I have two final posts in mind, this one where you get to hear from current students, and one final entry where I provide some last minute advice (expect that entry later this weekend).

During the month of April, I am a huge advocate in connecting the newly admitted students with current JHU students. I am a firm believer that to decide whether Hopkins is right for you, learning about it directly from your peers is the best way to make a decision. Earlier this month I actually asked all the Hopkins Interactive students to dedicate one of their blogs to the admitted students of the Class of 2013, and respond in general to the WHY HOPKINS question.

So, for those of you still on the fence ... read these entries and hopefully it helps make the big decision a bit easier. And for those of you who have already chosen to become a blue jay, I suggest reading the entries too as it will just make you even more excited for Orientation and Move-In at the end of August.

[The titles of the blogs link to the entry, and the student's name links to their profile page.]
{The pictures throughout the entry were taken during the final Open House.}

3 Huge Things JHU has Done for me: Andrew
"I came into Hopkins thinking I was going to major in one thing and left with a completely different passion and a serious sense of direction. If I hadn't taken that leap and tried classes in unfamiliar departments, I never would have found direction. "

Congrats, Class of 2013: Brian
"No matter what, you owe it to yourself to at least come and check us out! You did all that work on your application, your teachers wrote your recommendations, and because you're awesome, the Admissions team decided to admit you!"

Whoo 2013!: Dominique
"Anywho, congrats! You're the lucky ones out of 16,016 applicants that were admitted...I'd feel very happy if I were you. I know the process of choosing a college is hard, but here are some things to remember in the process..."

Congrats and My Story: Esther
"For many of you there will be a variety of institutions that have offered their services as well and now is the time to choose. Now it is time for you to admit a college into your life. The tables have been reversed and it is your turn to choose."

Decisions, Decisions: Jackie
"Of course my favorite part of Hopkins is the people I have met while going to school.  I really have had a great time and can't believe I am almost a senior.  College goes by so fast, I really am not exaggerating."

An Ode to Hopkins: Jessica
"Looking back, Hopkins has gone beyond any path that I thought it would help me path. I cannot tell you what it would be like for you to attend another school, but I can tell you what Hopkins had done for me that has gone beyond my expectations."

Lucky Ones: Josh
"So I've turned this blog into more of a how-to/advice column the past few weeks.  Why stop now?  But here I'm going to help those of you out there who were recently given the good (and/or bad) news about college."

Looking Back, Would I Pick Hopkins Again?: Julia
"I guess there's two ways to think about this.  Am I looking at this from the perspective that there are schools to which I did not apply that I would have applied to if I could do this again?  Or am I looking at this as if I have to choose between the same schools I got into four years ago? "

Don't Worry: Kate
"Do whatever you need to do to arrive at a decision by the end of the month regarding your college selection. However, you don't need to fret about the outcome. You'll be fine in the end."

Congratulations to all the Accepted Students: Laura
"I remember getting my Admissions letter in the mail; lets just say it was a great day; It was sunny, I was driving home Saturday afternoon after going shopping with my mom and getting new shoes, Hopkins was the ONLY school I hadn't heard back from (and at that point probably my first choice), opening the mailbox and having a big package from Hopkins waiting for me. I screamed. It was wonderful."

I heart Hopkins: Lauren B
"It made me think about my decision to come here. I think the most important thing is to just do whatever it is that will make you happy, and go to whatever school that may be. Concerned friends, parents, siblings, boyfriends, girlfriends, etc. are all very well and good, but at the end of the day, they won't be the ones to attend Hopkins, you will (hopefully!)."

Remembering What Matters: Lauren C
"Choosing which college you attend is a big decision and this may sound cliche, but as long as you make sure you're following your heart {and your budget!}, you will do fine."

congrats to the class of 2013: Mandy
"I guess a good place to start would be why I first chose Johns Hopkins University.  After all, I am from North Carolina and there are many fine institutions close to home.  Part of it was that I wanted to get away from home.  Just a little bit.  A six-hour drive/one-hour flight is perfect for me.  I loved Baltimore.  And the Orioles."

"Don't worry, you were always out, Looking towards the future": Peter
"Ok, well, I'm off to go enjoy the warm weather outside. I hope everyone enjoys themselves, and remember: Wherever you choose to attend, enjoy your time there. College is a life-changing thing (cliché, I know), so make the best out of your time at school, even if it wasn't your dream school."

So What Now?: Rohit
"Visiting college campuses sealed the deal, and so if you have the time, I would definitely recommend coming to visit now that you're in. If you're going to pledge yourself somewhere for the next 4 years, shouldn't you visit first?"

Oh Hopkins, My Hopkins . . .: Roxi
"And it is from that perspective that I'm going to write. Not as someone who was super sure and hell bent on going to Hopkins, but as someone who had to discover for herself why Hopkins was ultimately the right choice and what it has afforded me."

As We Go On . . .: Saznin
"I could enumerate all of the great things about Hopkins, but nothing is more convincing than coming here and experiencing it for yourself. I can only hope that it will make as strong of a good impression on you as it did on me."

Where to Now?- Tanmay
"Right now, many of you all are in the same situation that I am in, trying to decided where to spend the next four (or in my case, at least 7) years of our lives. I was in the same situation as well four years ago, trying to decided what college I thought would be my best choice. "

Hopkins Galore - Wafa
"One of the most difficult decisions you will ever make is where you choose to attend college, but it also one of the most exciting. Choosing where you go to college is not just deciding where you want to study and learn, but live, grow, thrive and become the person that you want to be."

In addition to these blog entries, I recommend the following message board threads from the Hopkins Forums:

Why I chose to attend Hopkins? Top five reasons

A Letter to Yourself - Before Coming to Hopkins, Looking back,what advice would you give?

Of All The Things You've Learned ...

Why Hopkins: Because we LipDub, Of Course

As promised in the last entry, the next few blog posts are all going to focus on the question ... WHY HOPKINS? I hope many of the admitted students were able to answer that question after last Tuesday's first Spring Welcome Open House. The rest of you, I hope will be able to attend one of the other two Open Houses on either April 14 or April 21. And remember, to read Cheryl J.'s Top 10: Reasons to Attend a Spring Welcome Open Houseto pre-plan your visit day.

Today's WHY HOPKINS reason is a simple one ... because the students and Admissions staff love to LipDub. Enough said ... let the video play.

Special thanks to Vampire Weekend for the song "Campus" -- go download it on iTunes right now. Thanks to our Director, Producer, and Mastermind Josh G. - Film and Media Studies sophomore.

For those unaware of what a LipDub is, read this Wikipedia article. Basically:

A lip dub is a type of video that combines lip synching and audio dubbing to make a music video. It is made by filming individuals or a group of people lip synching while listening to a song or any recorded audio then dubbing over it in post editing with the original audio of the song. There is often some form of mobile audio device used such as an iPod. Often, they look like simple music videos, although many involve a lot of preparation and are well produced. The most popular lip dubs are done in a single unedited shot that often travels through different rooms and situations in, say, an office building.

For us, our LipDub was just a way to have fun after the release of decision letters. We hope you enjoyed it, and got to see how clever and unique Hopkins students can be. (If you want to watch a truly amazing LipDub, click here.)

More meaningful WHY HOPKINS reasons to come soon.

Actually, let me finish by sharing with you one other video that shows Hopkins students having fun. Here is a video that just came to my attention of a greek life event last week:

Top 10: Reasons to Attend a Spring Welcome Open House Program (April 7, 14, or 21)

Note from Admissions Daniel: Over the next few week, I will be posting Hopkins Insider blog entries with the common theme of "Why Hopkins!" I know not everyone visiting the blog right now is an admitted student to the Class of 2013, but for me and my colleagues that group of students is the primary focus for the month of April. So as the admitted students make the big decision, I hope the upcoming blogs can play some role in helping you all to make the right decision ... which is obviously to come to Hopkins.

To start the "Why Hopkins" run I turn to an amazing colleague, our Special Events Planner Cheryl Janowsky, to pen a guest entry about our Spring Welcome Open House Programs for admitted students. With all sincerity, if you want to figure out whether Hopkins is the right place for you, attend one of these events.  

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Admissions Staff Member:Cheryl Janowsky, Special Events Planner

Territory: As event planner for the office, my territory is anywhere and everywhere a Johns Hopkins University Undergraduate Admissions event may be held … on-campus for an Open House, or off-campus in your hometown.

Johns Hopkins Start Date: January 2003

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Congratulations again on your admittance into the Johns Hopkins University class of 2013! I’m sure by now you’ve carefully studied every detail on every piece of paper mailed to you in your admit packet. Chances are you and your families are already planning your trip to Baltimore this spring for one of our three Open House programs—Tuesday, April 7, 14, or 21. We are ready and waiting for your arrival! These full-day Open Houses are designed for you to experience the Johns Hopkins’ community firsthand, and to help you answer the question, “Is Johns Hopkins right for you?”  We hope after your visit, that you will say “YES!”

As the special events planner here in Admissions, I have the insider’s scoop on what to expect during the Open Houses. When you get to campus, I encourage you and your family to carefully examine your program and attend as many events as possible throughout the day. There are plenty of options to choose—from student forums, to residence hall tours, to academic presentations with faculty. It’s up to you to pick and choose how you want to spend your day. I’ve pulled together a highlights list to give you a sample of what’s in store for you when you arrive on campus.

10. Meet the staff.
Chances are the person who will hand you your Welcome packet at the Open House registration already knows you—or at least recognizes your name and your hometown. We’ve followed your progress from an applicant to an admitted student. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions staff has answered your phone calls, read your application file, written the text for your invitation, and planned your visit to campus. We love seeing your faces on campus and we can’t wait to meet you this April.

9. Welcome presentation in Shriver Hall.
Arrive early. Registration officially starts at 9:00 a.m. After grabbing your muffin and coffee, make your way into the Auditorium because you don’t want to miss the opening program. This half hour prepares you for the rest of your day on campus. It’s the only time all visitors will be together in one location. After the Welcome, the rest of your jam-packed day is of your choosing. In addition to important announcements and a few words from Dean of Admissions John Latting, you might be lucky enough to get a glimpse our new president, Ronald J. Daniels.

8. Department visits by major.
Offered twice during the day, at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., these academic presentations will give you an overview of most majors and minors offered at Johns Hopkins. Whether you are interested in Writing Seminars, Public Health Studies, or Electrical & Computer Engineering, we’ve got you covered. Faculty will share details about each course of study and answer your questions. Here’s your chance to explore academic options you may not have originally considered.

7. Class Visits.
In case you haven’t learned enough about academics at Hopkins yet, you’ll have an opportunity to sit in on a class anytime throughout the day during the Open House. Selected courses will be open for auditing. For a complete schedule, consult the course visitation booklet that will be included in your welcome packet. If you do plan on attending a class, prepare to arrive at least five minutes before the posted start time of the class and introduce yourself to the professor. Then sit back, take notes, and learn with your future peers.

6. Lunch.
Yes, lunch is a highlight. Not just because you will be hungry from traipsing all across campus, but also because during lunch you have the opportunity to eat with current Johns Hopkins students. You and your family can sit down and have an informal chat. Ask candid questions and find out what you really want to know about life as a Johns Hopkins student. Lunch is offered from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., so you’ll have plenty of time to fit it into your schedule. You’ll get a meal pass when you register that will tell you what times are available.

5. Explore the Homewood campus and surrounding neighborhood. 
Campus is alive and in full bloom. Spring is beautiful in Baltimore. Classes are in session. Students are “studying” out on the quads. There is flexibility with the Open House schedule that allows you the freedom to plan your own day. Check out the Recreation Center. Stop by the bookstore located in the Charles Commons. Grab a coffee from a local café. You will be able to spend the entire day on campus and start to picture yourself here come next fall. Feel free to ask staff their favorite places to visit on campus or in the neighborhood.

4. Student Life and Academic and Career Advising Forums.
There are two forums offered during the day, Student Life at 11:15 a.m. and Academic and Career Advising at 2:00 p.m. We’ve hand selected experts to sit on a panel to discuss what they know best. Current students will discuss housing, activities, freshman year…basically, any topic you want them to cover. You are the ones asking the questions. In the afternoon, directors from the Career Center, Academic Advising, and Pre-Professional Advising will help you understand how their offices guide you through the advising process at Johns Hopkins. They are the experts in their field—ask them about internship opportunities, jobs after graduation, getting into law school, double majoring, etc.

3. Housing Tours.
It’s possible that you are a regular follower of Hopkins Interactive. Which means that you seen plenty of the Hopkins’ students “cribs” online. However, nothing beats the real thing. One of the top highlights of the admitted student Open Houses are the Housing Tours. Even if you have already visited campus before, chances are, you haven’t seen a dorm room. You want to see for yourself where you might be sleeping and studying next year. We know. That’s why selected residence halls will be open for viewing throughout the day. Tour one, or tour all three! You’ll collect a special “JHU” sticker after each tour to keep track of your adventures.

2. Student Activities and Services Exposition.
The Expo is one of the last events scheduled for the Open House, but you don’t want to miss it. Trust me. Campus dining, study abroad, athletics and recreation…Animation club, Ultimate Frisbee club, Student Government, the Hopkins Symphony Orchestra. Representatives from over forty student groups and student services are gathered in one space to meet you, recruit you, and to answer all of your questions. This event is held at 3:15 p.m. in the Fresh Foods Café, the freshman dining hall. Even though you won’t get a chance to eat at Fresh Foods, we want you to see this amazing space. So you’ll definitely want to stick around until the end of the day and check out where you’ll be eating your meals when you come to campus next fall.

1. Meet the Bloggers.
You’ve seen their photos online. You’ve read their blogs. Now is your chance to meet the bloggers in person! Hopkins Interactive students will be available all day to discuss their personal experiences. In the morning, they’ll be handing out “A Blue Jay’s View: An Insider’s Guide to Johns Hopkins”. This is an awesome publication they’ve put together to help you prepare for your transition to becoming a Blue Jay. H.I. students will be available during the lunch hour at Levering Plaza to answer questions, help you if you are lost, give you some candy. At the end of the Open House, you’ll get your last chance to meet the bloggers. After the Expo, Hopkins Interactive students will be stationed on your path back to the parking garage at Mason Hall to bid you a final farewell. Not to worry, they’ll be back online as if you think of more questions once you get back home.

This is not a complete list; there are many aspects to the Open House program not highlighted here. We need to keep some surprise element for when you arrive! No matter which day you visit, April 7, 14, or 21, the Admissions staff is very excited to meet you and your families and help you to have the best visit possible!

A Post For the Admits - Congratulations!!!

As I sit this Sunday evening, the only word that keeps coming to my mind is WHEW!!! I am spending my time today watching recorded shows on my TiVo (LOST was amazing), catching up with the sports world (go Mets, go UNC, go Tiger, go UConn women), listening to some cool thunderstorms, and spending as much time with Soze as I can. And yes, I have caught up on a lot of sleep. But still, all I can keep thinking of his, WHEW!

Yup, WHEW -- it sums up how I felt on Friday as all the mail was dropped off on Friday and as I followed the response to the release of emails. If you followed the posts throughout the week you know there was a lot of uncertainity about when we would finish the class of 2013 and release decisions. We had our fingers crossed that we could be done on Friday, but not until Friday morning when Dr. Latting sealed the class did we know we could do it. And we did with just about 30 minutes to spare. Follow along the madness with this slide show...

So to all of you who received the good news via email, and will receive our ultra-cool admit packets in the next few days ... CONGRATULATIONS!!! You have been admitted to one of the strongest classes in Johns Hopkins history. Each and every one of you should feel a great sense of accomplishment and honor. You should know that by offering you a spot in the Hopkins community we are saying loud and clear we think you fit. We think you will make a difference at Johns Hopkins and that we can provide you with the challenge and excitement you are looking for. After months of getting to know you all through your applications, we can not wait until you and the Early Decision admits arrive on campus this coming fall. Great things are going to be expected from the JHU Class of 2013.

You all now have a tough decision to make. Let me make it simple for you ... CHOOSE HOPKINS. For some of you that is actually what you will do and it will be that simple. For many of you though you now have a month to weigh your options and determine which of your admitted schools will make the best fit for you.

I will return in the coming days to provide you with helpful information and even a bit of advice as you tackle this big decision. (If you are anxious to read my thoughts, you can check out a few of my posts from previous years -- The Big Decision (in HDTV); Decision Time Approaches; May 1st is Almost Here.)

But until then, celebrate your amazing accomplishments and use the following resources to learn more about Hopkins and connect with our current students:

-- Tons of information at our:
Admitted Student Web Site: http://apply.jhu.edu/admitted/main.html

-- Don't forget to register for a visit:
Spring Welcome Open Houses: http://apply.jhu.edu/admitted/visit/openhouses.html

-- Follow all our new student blog posts - many directed at you all:
Hopkins Insider Twitter: http://twitter.com/HopkinsInsider

-- Ask questions of current students and meet future classmates:
Admitted Students (Class of 2013) Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58356657660

-- Also ask questions and review numerous discussion about life at Hopkins:
Hopkins Forums - Admitted Student Thread: http://tinyurl.com/2013JHUforums

WE ARE HERE TO HELP!

Ode to the Class of 2012: "Have fun storming the Castle!"

One week from today the Homewood campus will be fully invaded by the 1200+ members of the Johns Hopkins Class of 2012. After months of  anticipation (and thousands of answered questions in our Class of '12 Facebook group), the caravan of SUVs, mini-vans, taxi cabs, and even some Hybrid cars will arrive. The doors will open, the passengers will file out, and the move-in parade will commence. Over this coming Labor Day weekend, students and parents will be oriented and then part ways with hugs, some tears, and endless wishes of good luck. My favorite good luck phrase has always been, Miracle Max's "Have fun storming the Castle!" quote from the fantastic The Princess Bride film.

(((Click here to check out our Move-In videos from last year.)))

With move-in and orientation and the fall semester all on the horizon, that  means this is my blogging farewell to the Class of 2012. My attention now fully turns to the prospective students that will make up the Class of 2013 and beyond. It has been a wonderful past year and I truly look forward to watching what this incoming freshman class will accomplish. As a class, you have tons of promise, loads of creativity, an amazing collective intellect, and a vast diversity of backgrounds and opinions. And now you will come together and be presented with vast opportunities, academic and social, to succeed both individually and collectively. Paint me a dynamic color of green, as I am truly jealous of all of you.

My jealousy stems from my burning desire to repeat my undergraduate years. I'd love to go back and do it all again, knowing what I know now. If you will allow me, let me offer a few pieces of sagely advice:

• EXPLORE: Your undergraduate years are truly the one time in your entire education cycle where you are in control and can make your own choices. Take advantage of that freedom and flexibility, and explore all those avenues in front of you. Your academic career does not need to be a simple straight line between points A and B.
• EXPAND: Yes you have certain interests and passions, but now is a chance to expand beyond them. Try new things both academically and extracurricularly. Never taken a Sociology class before ... sign up for one. Never been in a theatrical production ... go audition. Never been in a late night political debate with peers ... say something challenging after midnight. College is no time to be stuck in your comfort zone.
• CREATE: Not everything right now has to be about your future. Don't make every decision based on what a future employer or medical / law / graduate school will think. You have four years, and even though time will fly by, take advantage of everything available to you. You are enrolling at the premier research institution in this country ... if you do not take advantage of the innovative and creative vibe that permeates Johns Hopkins, you will regret it.
• BALANCE: There is so much available to you and there is a tendency to take on too much at times. As well, some of you may be so fearful to take on challenges. There is a happy balance for each of you and you need to find it. Your studies will not be too overwhelming that you can not get involved. Remember, you will need a balance of collegiate studies while pursuing your non-academic passions, contributing to your community, and yes, partying.
• COMMUNICATE: My biggest mistake in college is I thought I knew everything already. DON'T DO THIS!!! None of you know everything ... none of you. Constantly ask questions and ask for advice. Use your academic advisers, your faculty, the Career Center, the Counseling Center, your residential adviser, the Pre-Professional Advising Office, etc. etc. etc. Also, don't forget to communicate with your peers ... they are experiencing similar issues and may see things in a different light. And finally, don't forget about your friends and family back home -- keeping them in the loop is important.
• ENJOY: There will be times of stress ... there will be rough hurdles to overcome ... there will be moments of frustration. But, there will be so much more as well. Remind yourself often how lucky you are that you get to study at a world-renowned institution, with a stunning campus, a compelling faculty, a uniquely diverse student body, and endless opportunities.

O.K., I now step off my soap-box ... but I hope you all consider these words carefully and in these final days before your personal college experience commences that you reflect on what got you here and what you want to accomplish over the next four years.

I must admit that my jealousy also extends from the fact that you still have your youth. See at 33 years of age, I am by far not ancient, but this week has reminded me that I am also no longer young. This coming Monday I celebrate my fifth year as a Johns Hopkins Admissions Counselor, which also means that I begin my second decade in this profession. Yikes!!! I am glad I still love what I do.

But what really hit me this past week and reminded me of my elderly status, was the publishing of the annual "mindset list" by Beloit College. For those unfamiliar with this list, it was created by Humanities Professor Tom McBride and presents perspectives (mainly pop culture references) about what freshman have experienced and what they have never experienced in their lives. The list is a snapshot of the world view of each year's class of college freshmen. Reading over the list this past week it amazed me that most of the Class of 2012 never even knew the 80s as they were born in 1990. The other items on the list that freaked me out:

• The Tonight Show has always been hosted by Jay Leno.
• There has always been Pearl Jam.
• Pee-Wee has never been in his playhouse during the day.
• Clarence Thomas has always sat on the Supreme Court.
• They have always been looking for Carmen Sandiego.
• Caller ID has always been available on phones.
• They have never known life without Seinfeld references from a show about "nothing."
• The Hubble Space Telescope has always been eavesdropping on the heavens.
• WWW has never stood for World Wide Wrestling.
• Students have always been "Rocking the Vote."

Click here for the full list.

So, farewell Johns Hopkins Class of 2012. And also, welcome '12ers to the next stage of your life. Allow me to finish with one last piece of advice. Over these next few days before you step foot on the Homewood campus as a freshman, create your own Johns Hopkins undergraduate "bucket list." Create a list of things that you want to accomplish before you don your cap and gown and cross the stage at Commencement. The list can be as long as you want, can contain what ever you choose ... but make sure to bring the list with you, post it somewhere in your freshman dorm, and then set-out to cross every item off on the list. To help you get started, below I re-publish a list created by the Hopkins Interactive students last year.

Good luck ... Buena Suerte ... God Speed ... Best Wishes ... Break a Leg ... Vaya con Dios ... Have fun storming the Castle.

40 Things To Do Before Graduation: (in no particular order)
1. On a nice spring day, go outside and pretend to work while falling asleep on the Beach (the lawn in front of the library).
2. Go to a lacrosse game, sit with other Hopkins students in The Nest, and help cheer on the beloved blue jays on their way to another NCAA championship.
3. Actually locate Carma's cafe, and then order their legendary Icelandic yogurt ... served by Carma herself!
4. Let out some energy, and work out your upper body, by going to the Recreation Center and climbing on the rock wall.
5. Go to an Orioles Game at Camden Yards and cheer on the hometown team… hopefully they’ll win.
6. Walk to Hampden and scope out the plethora of antique shops, then dine at one of their many funky restaurants.
7. Find out what’s behind the crab craze by visiting Fells Point and letting the locals school you in the ways of Blue Crab in Baltimore’s famous Old Bay sauce.
8. Satiate your late night munchies by walking over to Paper Moon at 3 a.m.
9. Go check out one of JHU’s a capella groups, like the AllNighters…or better yet: audition for one.
10. Enjoy Spring Fair’s food fare, and don’t forget the “chicken on a stick,” deep-fried Oreos, funnel cakes, and foot-long hot dogs.
11. Spend an afternoon walking around the Baltimore Museum of Art then eat dinner at Gertrude’s, overlooking the sculpture garden.
12. Go to Vaccaro’s for all-you-can-eat desserts and coffee Monday nights for $12.
13. Scout out the area's free food such as free ice cream on your birthday from Cold Stone.
14. Choose from one of the eclectic courses by returning to Baltimore for intersession and taking a crazy course such as jump-roping, ballroom dancing, story telling, and many more.   
15. Take a break and feel like a kid again by walking down to the corner of N. Charles and 28th St. and playing at the local playground.
16. Walk around the Bufano Sculpture Garden and try to guess the animal each sculpture represents.
17. Get crepes from Sofie’s Crepes and bring them into a movie at The Charles.
18. Pick up a book other than a textbook at the annual Baltimore Book festival.
19. Relax and enjoy a musical evening by listening to the dulcet tones of the JHU students at a Peabody concert.
20. Bundle up and get ready for the holidays with Hampden’s “Miracle on 34th St.” festive street light decorations.
21. Witness the Outdoor Club's streaking through the library during finals - or join in yourself.
22. Learn how to navigate the JHMI to the MARC to the Metro and travel throughout D.C.
23. On a Saturday morning, walk to the Waverly Farmer’s Market then grab brunch at Pete’s Grill.
24. Paddle a dragon boat around the Inner Harbor.
25. Volunteer to help out with an Admissions Open House or to host a prospective student.
26. Grab some friends and head over to X & Os (also called “Xandos”) for make your own s’mores.
27. Sleep on one of the many comfortable the couches in Gilman Hall.
28. In April and May when the tulips and azaleas are in bloom, head over to Sherwood Gardens in Guilford for a lazy afternoon in the sun.
29. Check out a JHU tradition, the Lighting of the Quad, in December.
30. Take the Collegetown shuttle to the Towson area for some stress-relief-related shopping. They just opened a J Crew and an H&M- very college.
31. On Halloween, hop on the JHU shuttle down to Fells Point for a night of crazy costumes and awesome antics. 
32. Head down to the American Visionary Art Museum for a taste of the wilder side of Baltimore.
33. Check out one of the fraternity's annual beach party -- the basement is filled with the sand and every year the Kelly Bell band performs.
34. Go see what is considered to be the vibrant personality of the real Baltimore by visiting Lexington Market, the longest continuously running market in America whose past visitors have included Ralph Waldo Emerson and William Thackeray.
35. Visit one of Baltimore’s main attractions by checking out the “National Aquarium” after five on Fridays for only $8.
36. Expand your horizons by attending HSC’s Diwali festival.
37. Get on a first name basis with Ms. Leesey, Ms. Ruthie, Ms. Jackson, and Dolores, the lovely lunch ladies of the FFC and the Charles St. Market.
38. Get to know the countryside by going hiking or kayaking with the Outdoors Pursuits Program.
39. Sculpt your hair into a beehive for Hampden's annual Honfest.
40. See a movie projected on the side of a building from Mr. John’s house in Little Italy.

Decision Time Approaches

So it is Monday evening and I have just checked into my hotel in Portsmouth, N.H. after a very successful college fair. I've been on the road for the last few days and so far I have met some great prospective applicants for the Class of 2013. But before I can really switch me mental gears towards the classes of '13, '14, and beyond, I need to first close the door on the JHU Class of 2012.

As I sit waiting for a new episode of House to come on (about time!), I contemplate the long journey this admissions cycle has been, and how much is still left to do to close the book on the Class of 2012. (I know it has been a long journey because this is probably only the third time in the last month where I actually have had a considerable amount of time to just think, and by considerable amount of time I mean one free hour.) Based just on the number of emails in my in-box and the number of voicemails on my log ... the journey is clearly not yet complete. Mainly the questions that I need to focus on this week relate to three specific audiences:

• Admitted, yet not Decided
• The Wait Listed
• The Enrolled, and Over-Anxious

With May 1st (Decision Day) just a few days away, I will be addressing this group with this blog entry. Don't fret, I will have updates for the wait listed students soon and will also have one last farewell entry to the Class of 2012 later in May. So for those of you who have been admitted (congrats again) but have yet to make your college decision (choose Hopkins), read on ...

Just about a month ago my colleagues and I were finalizing the last group of admissions decisions. Now the tables have been turned and we in Admissions await the responses from the admitted. After a long (LONG) month of admitted students events, an abundance of communications with students, parents, and guidance counselors, and much discussion about why Hopkins is great ... WE WAIT!

Actually, our waiting game is an interesting one ... basically we stalk our mail services team twice a day during their deliveries and await to see how many candidate reply form envelopes have arrived and more importantly how many "Yes" responses have come in. This year has been more of a waiting game than before, as it appears more students are torn about their decisions and are waiting until the last possible days to decide. With those students still debating their choices, I though I would write this post providing as much advice as I can pass along.

In fact, I have actually written a number of times in the past about the approach one can take in making their final college choice. Two years ago I put pen to paper (actually fingers to keyboard) and came up with 4 key points of advice to help one decide what is the right college:

1. Self-analysis time: What is important to YOU?
2. PRO / CON Lists for each school can help
3. Do not focus on superficial statistics and rankings
4. Avoid hearsay, conjecture, myths, and rumors - the truth does not exist in them.

To read the full post, check it out here:
April 24, 2006 -- May 1st is Almost Here

Last year I actually got even more ambitious with my pseudo-advice column. I wrote one of the longest Hopkins Insider entries as I compared choosing the right college to my purchasing of a new HDTV. The theme of the past was the search for the right fit while weighing all factors and doing as much research as possible.

To read the full entry, check it our here:
April 23, 2007 -- The Big Decision (in HDTV)

This year I planned on writing a similar entry, this time relating the college decision process to my purchase of a new car in January, but then I realized I didn't have anything new to say. So instead, as you admitted yet undecided students struggle with this final choice, I refer you to my previous ramblings, but also encourage you to use the Hopkins Forums. There are actually a number of wonderful discussion threads that can help as you make this final decision. Here are the ones I suggest:

Why I Chose to Attend Hopkins?: Top 5 reasons I am at JHU
CLICK HERE

A Letter to Yourself: Before Coming to Hopkins, Looking Back, What Advice Would You Give Yourself?
CLICK HERE

What Do You Wish You Knew Before Coming to Hopkins: Unique Aspects of Hopkins
CLICK HERE

What Would You Change About Hopkins?
CLICK HERE

FACT OR FICTION: Academics Section
CLICK HERE

FACT OR FICTION: Student Life Section
CLICK HERE

It's Time to Make a Decision about College ... How Can a Parent Help?
CLICK HERE

So take a look at these forums, ask questions of the current students, and best of luck as you make this wonderful decision. And as I have said many times before, in the end just go with your gut and choose Hopkins -- you can't go wrong.

Here are some photos taken during the three Admitted Student Open Houses. Hope you enjoy them, and thanks to everyone who came up to the Ask-a-Student table during these events and thanked me and the Hopkins Interactive students.

 

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

Wow, it has been over two months since my last entry … have you all missed me?

As the calendar creeps closer and closer to September, all the signs are out that summer is sadly coming to an end. Families are squeezing in those last minute vacations and/or college visits. Students are either just going back to school or preparing by buying new clothes, school supplies, and other academic fare. (That always makes me think of this amazing Staples commercial: Click here.) High school seniors are beginning to stress about their college applications. And for me it all means that it is time to stop procrastinating, end my long summer hiatus, and get back to blogging. Yes, yes, yes … I am back and better than ever.

Before moving forward though, this first entry should be about looking back. As I begin this return entry I am struck by two incessant thoughts. The first thought running through my mind is actually more of a tune … “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?” Yeah, hit it Rockapella. (If you have no clue what I am talking about, check out this Wikipedia entry: Click here.) Why am I thinking of this song? Well for some strange reason I envision you faithful Hopkins Insider fans wondering over the last two plus months where I had gone (“Where in B’more is Admissions Daniel?”). So my absence from blogging can be blamed on my desire to be immortalized by Rockapella.

My second thought is less befuddling and specifically led to this entry’s title. Basically, I am flashing back to my elementary school days when that first assignment upon returning to school was to write an essay on what I did over my summer vacation. Unfortunately I do not have any great stories like back then, when I could write about going to camp or baseball games or amusement parks or vacations with my family. I do remember though in third or fourth grade I wrote one my best “summer vacation” essays because I did it as a top ten list. I remember getting an A+ on the assignment with multiple “+” signs and numerous smiley faces.

So in that vibe, I present my top ten list of what I did during the summer of 2007. (As far as the order of the list, it is mostly in a chronological fashion dating back to my last entry on June 18th.)

(1) Connecting with the Class of 2011 through Facebook
Much of my summer has been a mix of vacation and work. After my big Bahamas vacation at the end of May, I was luckily able to spread out a number of mini-vacations and extended weekends throughout July and August (more on that below). But while at work during the summer I needed to keep myself busy. One of the best ways I found to stay productive was by communicating with all the incoming members of the Class of 2011 through our Facebook group. Every few days (and yes sometimes multiple times a day) I would log-on to Facebook and check out the new array of questions. A group of the Hopkins Interactive students and I helped answer questions and enjoyed it immensely. We hope all the incoming freshmen really found the group to be helpful.

One of the best outcomes of the Facebook group was our Blogging contest, where we selected four incoming freshmen to be featured on our Guest Blog. You can check out their entries right now: Click here. We actually even got a bit of press -- check out this Baltimore sun article: Click here. The Facebook group for the incoming freshmen was such a success we will be repeating our efforts once again (this time in January with the release of ED notifications) and also have plans to launch a prospective student Facebook group. More to come on that in the fall.

(2) Summer Recruitment Travel
In the middle of July, I packed up a rental car (a nice, white 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee) with boxes of JHU recruitment materials. I drove north, picked up my Mom in New Jersey and then headed up to New England. First stop was Providence, Rhode Island for the Brown University Summer Program College Fair. I always enjoy my return visits to Providence having spent four years of my life in the city (wink, wink).

The college fair was overwhelming and exhausting. Two hours of sweat due to the summer heat and poor ventilation in the OMAC, but at the end I walked away easily having connected with more than 700 students. By far the best college fair I attend every year.

Our next stops were Harvard and Phillips Andover for more Summer Program College Fairs. Though neither event had the same turnout as the Brown fair, both had better ventilation and again I met some great students. I wrapped up my summer college fair circuit with a stop to Yale’s Summer Exploration College Fair. As far as how that event was … well, let’s just say we will be sending an alum to it in the future.

I really have begun to enjoy summer recruitment travel as it is more relaxed, you meet some wonderful students, and I get to travel with my Mom. This year while driving from location to location, my Mom actually wrote a guest blog entry which I will post before the end of the month.

(3) Lots of Lilly Time and a Visit to Cape Cod
As I mentioned, a good portion of my summer was spent on vacation with family and friends. By far the best part of having time off is I get to spend it with my niece Lilly. She has passed the 18 month mark (though she is already in 2-year old clothing … 95%tile baby!!!), and every time I see her there are new teeth, new sounds, new toys, and new expressions. Never did I imagine how much joy one small little person can bring to everyone who is around her.

Though I did miss Lilly’s first trip to Sesame Place, I was able to accompany her, her parents, and her grandparents on a lovely trip to Cape Cod. It was a enjoyable long weekend, and I got to see where my parent’s went on their honeymoon. The whole clan wore white polo shirts with Lilly labels like Lilly’s Uncle, Lilly’s Dad, Lilly’s Grandma, etc … and Lilly proudly wore her shirt that read simply “Lilly.” As far as visiting Cape Cod … well let’s just say I much prefer Newport, R.I. more.

(4) eduWeb Conference
At the end of July, I attended and presented at the eduWeb Conference that was held in Baltimore. I actually got invited to present at the conference about Admissions Blogs after my appearance in the Washington Post back in February. Since the conference was being held in Baltimore, I was able to have two of the Hopkins Interactive bloggers (Esther and Michelle B.) join me as co-presenters. The attendees of the conference were mostly marketing and web people involved in higher education marketing, so we tailored our presentation to a discussion of why an Admissions Office should consider blogging as a recruitment tool. We also discussed how we created Hopkins Interactive and how it works, and concluded with a look at the system from the student blogger point-of-view. It was a great time, and the feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly positive. We love to share ideas, since many of our ideas have been borrowed (stolen???) from others.

(5) Lengthy Reading List
One of the great joys of summer time is I get to catch up on my reading. This summer I really enjoyed a wide range of books. In fiction, I enjoyed three James Patterson books and was pleasantly thrilled by "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West." In non-fiction, I read “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?” (the book selected for all the incoming freshmen to read) and “Colleges That Change Lives.” I thoroughly enjoyed both book but for very different reasons. I also perused a copy of “A is for Admission” and it bothered me more often than I expected so I just stopped caring and chose not to finish it. I also enjoyed the third autobiography by professional wrestler Mick Foley, “Hardcore Diaries” … call that a guilty pleasure.

But to be honest, my reading list for the summer of 2007 will only be memorable because of the experience of reading "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." The book arrived from the UPS man at 10am on Saturday, July 21 and 28 hours later (I slept a bit), I read that last quintessential line. I wish I was an eloquent enough writer to tell you what a joy it was to read this last novel by the genius J.K. Rowling. For me it was perfection, and made me cherish the other six chapters so much more. I can’t wait to re-read them, and I can only imagine the joy in the future sitting with Lilly and discussing Harry, the Weasleys, Cho, Hermoine, Rita Skeeter, Snape, and all the rest.

In all that has been written about this final chapter in the Harry Potter series, no one article summed it better in my opinion than what Stephen King had to say recently in Entertainment Weekly. He tackles how the reviews of Deathly Hallows failed to did it justice and answers those who wonder whether kids will ever read the same way again. Read the article here, it is excellent.

(6) Summer Visitors "Discover Hopkins"
For anyone in the Admissions field, summer time not only means time to rest and re-charge it also means lot and lots and lots of visitors. Throughout the summer months I covered a number of weekly information sessions where I tried out a new session order, some new material, and even some added humour. Still fine-tuning though.

The big events were clearly the two Discover Hopkins programs that I assisted with at the end of July and in early August. We tried a new format with these Saturday visit programs from previous summers and since each program I covered having nearly 800 people attend, I’d say the Admissions team once again did a fantastic job. I’d also say that with the volume of visitors who trekked across the Homewood campus this summer it is quite clear that Hopkins is still HOT! Oh no, more applications!!! (Just kidding.)

(7) Final Transcript Review
Unfortunately not everything this summer was enjoyable. Due to the fact that one of my colleagues was on maternity leave, I stepped up and assumed one of her chief responsibilities – the review of final transcripts of enrolling freshmen for declining grades. Going into this project I thought it would be pretty simple … we have about 1200 enrolling freshmen … Operations will process the transcripts and pass along any with serious declining grades … I would review … take the serious cases to Dr. Latting … and that would be that. Nope, not that easy.

First, I under-estimated the number of files that would come across my desk. We set the declining grades barometer at 2 or more final grades of C or below. I expected a handful of transcripts to cross my desk, and though the 60 or so files I did see is really not a lot I was surprised.

Second, I expected that all students would request their transcripts be sent and that all schools would easily follow through. Boy, was I wrong. Thankfully, I had some great people helping me track down these transcripts but I was surprised by the nearly 150 of students and schools we needed to contact. The phrase “Oy Vei” is really the only way I can summarize that process.

In the end though, the hardest part by far was dealing with the students who had serious declines in their grades. I won’t go into details, but let’s just say that the conversations I had in late July and early August regarding final transcripts with students, parents, counselors, and especially Dr. Latting, are conversations I never want to be involved in again. Listen carefully … once you commit to a college, high school is not over. And when we say your admissions can be revoked we are not just stating an idle threat. There are a number of students who found that out the hard way this summer.

(8) Summer Movies Galore
I could post a whole other blog about my opinions regarding this summer’s movie line-up. (Actually I have thought about starting my own movie opinion blog but I am just too lazy). To keep it simple, I thought I would just sum it up this way:

MUST SEE: Bourne Ultimatum, Knocked Up, Superbad, Simpsons Movie, Harry Potter V
ENJOYABLE: Transformers, Pirates III, Ratatouille, Ocean’s 13, Die Hard IV, Hostel II
RENT IT: 28 Weeks Later, Shrek III, Spider-Man III, Hairspray
WHY, OH WHY?: Chuck and Larry, Evan Almighty, Fantastic Four II

(9) Procrastinating and Puzzles
As my favorite quote goes, “Procrastinate now, don’t put it off.” Thanks Ellen. But it is true … the one time a year that I can get away with procrastinating is the summer time and I make the most of it. Want proof … how about a two month delay on blogging. This summer I relied on one of my most trusted procrastinating tools: Television and especially cheesy VH1 shows and the old main-stay of Big Brother. Lilly was also a great outlet for my procrastination. But I also added an old favorite from my childhood … doing jigsaw puzzles. Yeah I know I am strange, but so far this summer I have completed 6 jigsaw puzzles with the assistance from my Mom and I have 4 more to do before Labor Day.

(10) Hopkins Interactive version 3.0
Amidst the procrastinating, puzzles, movies, reading, vacation, and much more, I have been working diligently on the next version of Hopkins Interactive. New things will roll out over the next few months, but the brainstorming so far is getting me quite excited. There will be new bloggers, new content, and a whole lot of “cool” advancements. To celebrate, I decided the Hopkins Insider blog needed a make-over too. Do you like? Stay tuned for much, much more.

Well, I hope you enjoyed my summer vacation top 10 list. I decided to keep it at ten items, and sadly that meant stories about my swimming adventures with Soze and his dolphin toy, or my poker winnings, or rooting on the Mets in their pursuit of the World Series couldn’t be included. Oh well, there is always my next blog entry … which I promise will not take another two months to post.

Enjoy the last days of summer … CHEERS!

A Long Distance Dedication to the Class of 2011

While growing up I was a huge fan of Casey Kasem's "American Top 40" weekly music countdown. (Since many of you are too young to know what I am talking about, check out this Wikipedia entry. In catching up on AT40, I shockingly learned that Ryan Seacrest is now the host ... how sad is that?)

Well, my favorite part of the radio show was the "Long Distance Dedication." Casey would read an emotional letter from a listener that typically detailed a very sad or uplifting story. The letter would end with a dedicated song. Following along those lines, here is my long distance dedication...

Cue the intro music...Cue Casey's unique voice...and let's go:

Welcome back listeners to the Johns Hopkins Top 40. It is now the time in the show where we pause from the countdown and read this week's long distance dedication. This week our letter originates from Baltimore, Maryland and is sent in by someone who goes by the pseudonym Admissions_Daniel. Daniel writes about the connection that was formed with a unique group of students through a modern means of communication, blogging. Here's what he wrote:

Dear Johns Hopkins Top 40,

Oh what an amazing journey it has been. Just over a year ago I began a simple correspondence with a small group of young adults. Now it has blossomed into a nationally-recognized correspondence between me and 1200+ of the most brilliant, unique, and passionate students. This discussion began as an innocent foray into the burgeoning world of blogging, and transformed into so much more. It started as another of my job responsibilities as Senior Assistant Director of Admissions for Johns Hopkins University. I was simply tasked with connecting with the the future JHU Class of 2011 through blogging. But now as it all comes to an end I realize the journey has meant a great deal to me and the students. To best explain, I think we first need to take a look back.

The first time I wrote to them was at the end of April 2006 when my office had just completed our work with the previous class. I had hit the road for some spring travel events to start recruiting the '11ers. (April 29, 2006) After six days of events and meeting (May 5, 2006), it was time for me to take some time off during the summer while periodically updating and also requesting feedback about the best blogs (June 26,2006). The rest of the summer included updates about Open Houses (July 17, 2006) and one of my favorite posts - "Lots of Little Things" (July 30, 2006). As the summer ended it was time to announce the arrival of '06-'07 application (August 1, 2006), hit the road again for recruitment (September 19, 2006) and comment about the spectacle that is the US News and World Report rankings (September 8, 2006).

October was witness to a great Explore Hopkins program (October 2, 2006), an amazing trip to Pittsburgh for a National Conference (October 15, 2006), two great fall Open Houses (October 22, 2006) and my return home to experience Fall and the start of the reading season (November 1, 2006). November was a big month as we re-launched Hopkins Interactive (November 15, 2006) and I introduced the students to the inner-workings of reading ED applications (November 30, 2006). We wrapped the year with the release of Early Decision notifications (December 15, 2006) and my favorite post of the year -- "The Approach" (December 6, 2006).

The start of 2007 saw me getting organized and the deluge of RD files begin (January 31, 2007). While the staff was busy evaluating applications throughout the winter, the '11ers hopefully enjoyed getting to know the Admissions team (February 19, 2007), Valentine's greetings from my niece Lilly, and the application guessing contest (February 14, 2007). February concluded with the Oscars (February 23, 2007) and then the biggest news of the year ...The Hopkins Insider in the Washington Post (February 24, 2007).

The Post article led to a nearly 10x increase in my readership, which was perfect as the month of March turned into my busiest of blogging months (March 2007). March ended with my live blogging of decision day (March 28, 2007). April and May came fast and furious, and included numerous update posts (April 16, 2007; May 18, 2007, and June 6, 2007), a special post for the Admits (April 19, 2007), the "Big Decision" post (April 23, 2007), and one of the most emotional posts following the Virginia Tech tragedy (April 18, 2007).

That trip down memory lane really proves again what a long year it has been and what a wild and crazy journey. An emotional reflection to say the least ... I enjoyed almost every moment. But now it is time for me to say goodbye to the Class of 2011 as I must move on to future classes. As a special tribute and blogging farewell, I request that you play Journey's " Don't Stop Believin' " for the Johns Hopkins Class of 2011.

Many know that this specific song played a key role in another recent finale - that of the television show the "Sopranos." Similar to that final episode, I hope that when the students finish reading my farewell entry that abruptly their screen turns black and there is no more story being told to them. The next four years is for them to decide what the story should be ... it is a blank slate for them to choose their own paths. I wish them all the success in the world, and truth be told, Hopkins is the right place for each and every one of them to accomplish their goals. Enjoy the ride ... I will be watching from afar.

Cheers,

Admissions_Daniel

****************************************************************************************

OK, I know that this blogging farewell may be a bit cheesy, but heck it is summertime and my mind right now is a bit loopy. I hope you enjoyed the attempt at some humor, but also that you all reflected back on the past year with the Hopkins Insider blog. As I said before, it has been a long and winding trip.

Continuing with the "Johns Hopkins Top 40" countdown theme, I thought I would share with you all something that the Hopkins Interactive students and I compiled over the last few months. During our final discussions of the spring semester, the group and I compiled a list of the 40 Things a JHU undergraduate must do before graduation. We had hoped to use this list in a more unique way, but those plans fell through. But this final entry (dedication?) is the perfect place to share.

As you all get ready to arrive on campus this fall we strongly suggest creating a list like this. Use this list as a starting point, but change some of the responses, add or subtract ... make it your own. Then spend your four years at Hopkins making sure to accomplish each and every one of the items on your list. It's going to be amazing.

40 Things To Do Before Graduation:  (in no particular order)

1. On a nice spring day, go outside and pretend to work while falling asleep on the Beach (the lawn in front of the library).
2. Go to a lacrosse game, sit with other Hopkins students in The Nest, and help cheer on the beloved blue jays on their way to another NCAA championship.
3. Actually locate Carma's cafe, and then order their legendary Icelandic yogurt ... served by Carma herself!
4. Let out some energy, and work out your upper body, by going to the Recreation Center and climbing on the rock wall.
5. Go to an Orioles Game at Camden Yards and cheer on the hometown team… hopefully they’ll win.
6. Walk to Hamden and scope out the plethora of antique shops, then dine at one of their many funky restaurants.
7. Find out what’s behind the crab craze by visiting Fells Point and letting the locals school you in the ways of Blue Crab in Baltimore’s famous Old Bay sauce.
8. Satiate your late night munchies by walking over to Paper Moon at 3 a.m.
9. Go check out one of JHU’s acappella groups, like the AllNighters…or better yet: audition for one.
10. Enjoy Spring Fair’s food fare, and don’t forget the “chicken on a stick,” deep-fried Oreos, funnel cakes, and foot-long hot dogs.
11. Spend an afternoon walking around the Baltimore Museum of Art then eat dinner at Gertrude’s, overlooking the sculpture garden.
12. Go to Vaccaro’s for all-you-can-eat desserts and coffee Monday nights for $12.
13. Scout out the area's free food such as free ice cream on your birthday from Cold Stone.
14. Choose from one of the eclectic courses by returning to Baltimore for intersession and taking a crazy course such as jump-roping, ballroom dancing, story telling, and many more.   
15. Take a break and feel like a kid again by walking down to the corner of N. Charles and 28th St. and playing at the local playground.
16. Walk around the Bufano Sculpture Garden and try to guess the animal each sculpture represents.
17. Get crepes from Sofie’s Crepes and bring them into a movie at The Charles.
18. Pick up a book other than a textbook at the annual Baltimore Book festival.
19. Relax and enjoy a musical evening by listening to the dulcet tones of the JHU students at a Peabody concert.
20. Bundle up and get ready for the holidays with Hamden’s “Miracle on 34th St.” festive street light decorations.
21. Witness the Outdoor Club's streaking through the library during finals - or join in yourself.
22. Learn how to navigate the JHMI to the MARC to the Metro and travel throughout D.C.
23. On a Saturday morning, walk to the Waverly Farmer’s Market then grab brunch at Pete’s Grill.
24. Paddle a dragon boat around the Inner Harbor.
25. Volunteer to help out with an Admissions Open House or to host a prospective student.
26. Grab some friends and head over to X & Os (also called “Xandos”) for make your own s’mores.
27. Sleep on one of the many comfortable the couches in Gilman Hall.
28. In April and May when the tulips and azaleas are in bloom, head over to Sherwood Gardens in Guilford for a lazy afternoon in the sun.
29. Check out a JHU tradition, the Lighting of the Quad, in December.
30. Take the Collegetown shuttle to the Towson area for some stress-relief-related shopping. They just opened a J Crew and an H&M- very college.
31. On Halloween, hop on the JHU shuttle down to Fells Point for a night of crazy costumes and awesome antics. 
32. Head down to the American Visionary Art Museum for a taste of the wilder side of Baltimore.
33. Check out one of the fraternity's annual beach party -- the basement is filled with the sand and every year the Kelly Bell band performs.
34. Go see what is considered to be the vibrant personality of the real Baltimore by visiting Lexington Market, the longest continuously running market in America whose past visitors have included Ralph Waldo Emerson and William Thackeray.
35. Visit one of Baltimore’s main attractions by checking out the “National Aquarium” after five on Fridays for only $8.
36. Expand your horizons by attending HSC’s Diwali festival.
37. Get on a first name basis with Ms. Leesey, Ms. Ruthie, Ms. Jackson, and Dolores, the lovely lunch ladies of the FFC and the Charles St. Market.
38. Get to know the countryside by going hiking or kayaking with the Outdoors Pursuits Program.
39. Sculpt your hair into a beehive for Hamden's annual Honfest.
40. See a movie projected on the side of a building from Mr. John’s house in Little Italy. ****************************************************************************************

Though this is a blogging farewell to the Class of 2011 from the Hopkins Insider, it doesn't mean this is a goodbye. I will still be answering questions and feeding information on the JHU Incoming Class of 2011 Facebook Group. We know even though you are just finishing up with registering for classes over this week, you are still going to have tons of questions about Orientation, Housing, What to Buy, etc. etc. etc.

As well, this does not have to be an ultimate farewell as when you arrive on campus this fall there will be a ton of ways you can get involved with the Admissions Office. Later this summer you will get information about volunteering for the various admissions groups -- we select students to be tour guides, overnight hosts, Open House volunteers, and even part-time jobs in the office. As well, there will be a few open spots on the Hopkins Interactive team.

And as I wrap-up this farewell, this long distance dedication, this closing of the blogging book on the Class of 2011 ... I want to offer all the new '11ers a chance to be immortalized and celebrated in the blogging world ...

BLOGGING CONTEST FOR THE CLASS OF 2011:

* Submit a blog entry to be posted to our Guest Blog. The entry should relate to the general topic of preparing to arrive at Hopkins this fall. You can discuss the anticipation you feel, how busy you are with buying things for your dorm room, or about the various mailings you have been receiving. You can also take a more reflective approach and discuss your decision to attend Hopkins and what you think the next four years will bring. In fact, you can write anything.

* I will select the three "best" entries to be posted in August. The entries will be judged primarily on whether they are interesting, enjoyable, and paint an intriguing picture of a new freshman getting ready for their college experience.

* Email your entry as a Word document to daniel.creasy@jhu.edu. More details will be posted on the Facebook group. I'll also answer questions there in case I am being too vague right now.

I look forward to your submissions.

Farewell and enjoy the rest of the summer. See you on-campus this fall.

Cheers!

So Your Heart Must Be Fonder By Now?

So the old saying goes, ABSENCE makes the heart grow fonder? If that is true, than my nearly one month absence from updating the Hopkins Insider blog must mean that my readers and I are now in a serious, committed relationship and true love is on the horizon. Actually, I suspect the opposite is true ... and that my absence has bothered a number of you. Well I am hear to declare loudly, in the words of my favorite sports radio personality Mike Greenberg, that "I'm back and better than ever!"

Many of you are probably wondering what happened to me since April 23rd. As I write this I feel like I should have some grand reason to discuss. Maybe a story about how I was kidnapped by a rival university and tortured to share all the hidden Admissions secrets of JHU (been watching too much 24!). Or maybe a tale about how I got a call from the executives at some major television company who flew me to Hollywood to determine their coming fall line-up of new and returning shows (more shows like Heroes, LOST, House, and less CSI and reality TV). Or how about the guy I met in the deli who heard me order a ham sandwich and thought that I had a great voice for radio and made me the new play-by-play guy for the New York Mets (in another life I wish). All would have been great stories to tell, but all would have been based around my dreams.

In reality, a number of "forces" kept me from posting. First, there were the responsibilities of the job that kept me out of the office -- a conference to attend and a week of spring travel throughout New England which I will write more about soon. Then, there were the in-office tasks of wrapping up the year both in relation to the 2006-07 admissions cycle but also the 2006-07 semester. This involved a lot of paper work, organizing, brainstorming, and oh yeah a number of parties and "thank you" dinners. Outside of the job there was also the reconnecting with my social life (no more working 7 days a week), enjoying everything I watch on my new TV, and celebrating a "special" web site that let's me watch movies that are currently in theatres for free on my laptop (shhhhh!!!). And oh yeah, to be honest there was a lot of procrastinating involved...

See after the overwhelming pace of the last 6 months and the volume of work involved, there comes a time when I need to unwind. The first phase of that is to stop working at 200% my capacity, and rather drop down to about 75% for a few weeks. (I hope the boss is not reading this.) The second phase is always a long vacation - but I'll get to that. So all in all, my apologies for keeping you all in the dark for the past month, and I set forth to update more regularly from now on.

So I guess you all are wondering what's been up in the Admissions world. Well as I see it the majority of those who are reading this right now fall into one of these categories: (1) Transfer applicants; (2) Wait listed students; (3) Enrolling students of the Class of 2011; (4) Prospective students for the Classes of 2012 and beyond; and (5) Others. For each of these groups, I have an update.

Transfer Applicants
I know, I know, I know -- I owe you all a special transfer post. This post has been a work in progress for about a month, and I promise I have not forgotten about you all. I am 80% done, and will make sure it is my next post. As far as an update though, the Transfer review committee (which sadly I am not part of) is at the tail-end of reviewing all the transfer applications and the plan is to release decisions by the end of the month. I would not be surprised if transfer decisions begin to be released by the end of next week, but do not quote me on that.

This year's transfer applicant pool is about the same as last year's total, just over 700 applications. Last year's total was a noticeable jump from previous years, so we are happy to see that number continue this year. As the reviews are coming to an end, the main discussion is on-going about how many transfer applicants will be offered admission and will continue up until the point decisions are released. The number of transfer admits we can offer is directly tied to the number of spaces available in the class which is related to the number of enrolling freshmen and the retention rates of the current classes. So there are a lot of numbers that need to be figured out in the next week or so -- but do know the Transfer team is hard at work.

Wait List Students
Earlier this week, the Hopkins Admissions committee did something we have not done in the past two years -- we admitted a handful of students off the wait list. By handful I mean approximately 40 wait listed students were contacted by a member of the Admissions staff and offered a spot in the class of 2011. Congratulations to those students, but for the rest of you please understand that this is just step one in our process.

As always, we are quite deliberate in our process regarding wait listed students. Everything is tied to the number of students in the enrolling class and the number currently is quite close to our target of 1205. We have not in the past, and will not this year make any quick decisions. Over the next couple of weeks, the staff will continue to monitor the numbers and discuss wait list issues. We hope to have final decisions by mid-June for all of the students who remained on the wait list. Once we have reached a decision, all students who selected to remain on the wait list will be notified by mail or email.

There are a number of directions we can go in the coming weeks. We could continue to admit small amounts of students off the wait list if the Director determines there is still space in the class. We could decide the class is full and release all the students on the wait list. We could also choose to select some students for an extended summer wait list and release all the others. Clearly there are a number of paths we need to discuss, and all we ask from you all is patience.

The Incoming Class of 2011
This will actually be one of the last times I address you all as a blog audience. Now that you are future members of Hopkins, your connection with the Admissions Office and process our over. I do have a final sort of farewell post for you all that I will complete soon, but until now I just wanted to wish you the best of luck with the final days of your senior year. Good luck with finals, APs, IBs, and have fun with graduation and prom. Enjoy yourselves, and then have an amazing summer preparing for your arrival in Baltimore.

If not already, in the coming days you will be contacted by the Advising Offices and begin the process of registering for your first set of classes. The first step will be the receipt of your JHED ID and from there you can set-up your JHU e-mail address. I know what a big step that will be for many of you - getting the email address has become proof to many nowadays that you are actually enrolling at Hopkins.

I also recommend that you all join and participate in the special Incoming Class of 2011 Facebook group that we have set-up for you. This group will act as a forum for all incoming freshman. Use this forum as a way to meet your future classmates and also as a central place to ask questions about getting ready for Hopkins. Throughout the summer many updates will also be posted on the group so check back frequently. And as always, the Hopkins Interactive students are there to answer your pressing questions.

I personally look forward every year to reading the forum discussions, as it is amazing to see all the great qualities of our incoming class. Plus, I am on the look-out for freshmen bloggers - but more will follow on that later this summer.

Prospective Students - Classes of 2012 and beyond
The numbers show that the blog is getting more readers every day, and that can only mean one thing -- a new batch of prospective students. As the summer officially commences, the blog topics and entries will shift from the Class of 2011 and move to addressing topics you all will find quite interesting. I have an ambitious agenda for the coming months, so keep checking back. And don't forget to use the comments section.

The Others
When I type "Others" my mind goes directly to thoughts of Benjamin Linus / Henry Gale -- who gets that reference??? But in fact I know there are some of you who read my blog who don't fall into one of the categories above. Sorry I don't have a special update for you all, but I do have one last things to let you all know before I complete this post.

I AM ON VACATION! Yes, I actually wrote this entry a day ago but set it to post today ... May 18 ... the first official day of my two week vacation. As you all enjoy the return of the Hopkins Insider Blog, I will be enjoying days of relaxation in the Bahamas - Paradise Island - the Atlantis Hotel to be exact. JEALOUS???