Hopkins Insider

Early Decision: Is It Right For You?

Over the last few days I have been answering a ton of questions on the Hopkins Forums, in my own email account, and primarily through our main Admissions email account (gotojhu@jhu.edu). One of the most commonly asked questions this time of year is about whether or not one should apply Early Decision. Some ask about their chances for admissions if they apply ED (aaarrrggghhh), others ask whether there is an admissions or financial aid advantage to applying ED (understandable question), and others just want us to make the decision for them (sorry can't really help there). With just a few days until the November 1 Early Decision deadline, I thought I'd provide some thoughts on this whole ED thing.

First, I refer you all to a blog entry I wrote three years ago that still holds up today: To ED or Not To ED ... I spent a lot of time composing that message and three years later I still share the same information with students asking about Early Decision at Hopkins. An excerpt:

Written November 2006
... Though that part of the staff meeting discussion may seem to be the most interesting, it is what we discussed afterward that really intrigued me and is the motivation behind this post. Collectively, the counseling team looked at how we speak with prospective students about our Early Decision program and specifically how we answer these two questions: (1) who should apply Early Decision? and (2) is there an advantage / benefit to applying ED to Hopkins? I took a lot of notes from what my colleagues and I discussed, and especially listened intently to the guidance that my boss, Director of Admissions John Latting, provided. So let's share some of that info...

Who Should Apply Early Decision?

Generally, when asked this question we answer, "If Hopkins is your definitive first choice and you are ready to make that commitment, then ED is definitely for you." This is a solid answer and is typically followed by a discussion that ED is truly for those students who are clear about their "love" of Hopkins and their desire to complete the process earlier if admitted. ED is for those students who just know -- those who dropped a pretty penny in the bookstore on Hopkins paraphernalia -- those who have the Hopkins web site as a favorite -- those who get angry when people forget the "S" in Johns. This is the right answer, but in all actuality it is not that simple.

To really answer the question about who should apply ED, you need to address both the PRACTICAL reasons to apply and the "supposed" TACTICAL reasons to apply. The practical reasons fall under the umbrella of what I mentioned above -- Hopkins is my clear first choice, I have done my research, and I want to apply ED. We all agree that this is the right way to make the decision.

It is the supposed TACTICAL reasons swaying a student's decision to apply ED that concerns us. By tactical, I mean someone whose main reason for applying ED is a focus on the "numbers" and the assumption that it is easier to get in ED. This focus on the "competitive advantage" and the tactics of "winning the game" of highly selective admissions is truly not the right way to approach the decision to apply ED. (Read below for more on this idea of "competitive advantage.")

ED should not be a strategic tool -- it should be about FIT. So back to the initial question, who should apply ED? Those who know for practical reasons (FIT!!! that Hopkins is their absolute first choice. Who should not apply ED? Well, those who are not sure Hopkins is that perfect fit, but think ED is the best way to "get in."

Is There a Competitive Advantage / Benefit to Applying ED?

The discussion on the tactical side of applying ED to Hopkins leads to this less frequently asked question, but an important one to ask. And also, it is the harder one to provide a definitive answer to, but I will give it a try.

When asked the question about a competitive advantage to applying ED to Hopkins, most counselors including myself do not provide a direct answer. The reason for this, is that a direct answer without an explanation leads to assumptions, and often will sway a person to thinking more about tactical reasons than practical ones.

The direct answer is YES, there is an advantage / benefit to applying early decision to Hopkins. As you can see I did not use the word "competitive" to describe the advantage, and that is where the explanation must follow.

There is clearly a benefit to applying ED, and that benefit is the fact that an ED application proceeds through the review process with a more careful evaluation. Why is this? Well simple numbers -- 1000+ applications read in a one month period of time versus 13000+ applications reviewed in less than 4 months of time. ED applications are read by the staff without a sense of pressure, without the time crunch of making sure to get all the reads done in time. We can spend more time on these files, and since the ED applicants are signing a contract of their commitment, there is a strong sense that they deserve a careful evaluation. (Please, RD applicants, do not read this as the staff will not read your applications carefully -- just understand the time frame and the numbers.)

Another of the benefits when reviewing ED applicants, is that the counselor knows in almost every situation that the student applying is clearly interested in attending Hopkins. The concept of interest is pertinent in the review process, because we want to enroll students who are eager to experience Hopkins. ED students bring an enthusiasm to the University, and tend to embrace all aspects of being a Bluejay. Though sincere interest is not a determining factor of our decisions, it definitely helps in the holistic approach we take in our reads. And yes, the holistic approach to the evaluation is as inherent in our reads for ED applicants as it will be for RD applicants.

The important final point about this discussion of advantage and benefit is to state clearly that the advantage is not an academic / competitive one. It is not "EASIER" to get into Hopkins ED -- we do not lower our standards for ED students. With all our reads, whether ED or RD, we do not work with a set profile, a set grid, a set percentage of who we must take. The approach we take in evaluating a candidate in academic terms is the same no matter if the student applies ED or RD. We benefit from the fact that our ED applicant pool is in academic terms, quite similar to our RD pool.

Second, I refer you to one of the best sources of information regarding Early Decision questions - the Hopkins Forums. Specifically, to the Early Decision Questions discussion thread, which has 8 pages of archived questions and answers. And as always, if you have questions, post them there.

Finally, don't forget to check out our Early Decision FAQs page on the main Admission site with a lot of helpful official answers.

Good luck to those applying Early Decision ... and enjoying completing those applications over the weekend.

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:

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.

A Transfer Student's Tale: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Back in the fall, the Hopkins Insider blog had a few guest authors that shared their own personal entries. We had my Mom providing advice to parents as well as Tabitha, an international freshmen student, writing about the transition to Hopkins as an international student. I find guest authors to be a great part of the Hopkins Insider blog, because I can call on others connected to the whole admissions process who can provide their own words and expertise in areas that I am less familiar.

So today I turn to my next guest author, Tanya Lukasik, who has become in many ways my transfer admissions guru. I first connected with Tanya more than a year and a half ago through this blog, where she infamously pressured me to write more information for transfer applicants. Since that is not one of the areas I directly work with it was not one of my natural inclinations to write Transfer topics. Well, Tanya has continued to push me, and since she has become an expert in a lot of these areas I turn the Hopkins Insider blog over to her today. Enjoy!

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

Following in a rather time-honored Hopkins Interactive tradition, I have listed a song title to highlight the general theme of my blog entry, the decision to embark on the transfer admissions journey, as well as to pay homage to a musical gem with significant contextual and symbolic meaning -- a classic song brought to us by no other than the ‘ultimate’ eighties band, The Clash. (Cue strum of the imaginary electric air guitar)

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Taking a moment to briefly introduce myself, my name is Tanya M. Lukasik, and I am a junior student enrolled at Johns Hopkins, double majoring in Psychological and Brain Sciences as well as Public Health, with a Pre-Medical concentration. I am interested in pursuing a career in psychiatric medicine, specifically child and adolescent psychiatry, and am originally from Long Island, New York.  I am a member of the Student Admissions Advisory Board and undeniably bring a rather unique perspective to our student admissions team, as I am a TRANSFER student -- one of the few brave souls who made the courageous decision to “go,” rather than “stay” at their previous institutions and happily ended up at Hopkins. I can state with pride and relief that I successfully survived the battle of transfer admissions, a mysterious, rather unknown undergraduate realm plagued by lengthy applications and incredibly frightening acceptance statistics; remarkably, I came out standing, unscathed, and am here to report on my transfer tales.

In an effort to reach out to the on-edge applicants who have recently submitted their transfer application(s), (the Hopkins deadline was March 15!), as well as to address the concerns of the upcoming waves of prospective transfer students, Admissions_Daniel has graciously given me the opportunity (and honor) to utilize this blog entry to offer my advice regarding the monumental decision many students, (and maybe several readers) will ponder and possibly encounter during their academic collegiate journey: the decision to transfer.“Should You Stay, or Should You Go?”

Please explain in detail why you wish to transfer to Johns Hopkins University?

Just 13 measly words! Reviewing this Johns Hopkins Application Supplement essay prompt during the summer of 2006, these thirteen words simplistically invoked such a complex, introspective personal inquiry and required an in-depth explanation highlighting why I wanted to specifically leave the ‘comfort’ of my home institution, and venture into the collegiate unknown.

What were my reasons, my motivations, my plans and my goals, and what was potentially lacking at my current university that could be offered and solved at Johns Hopkins? What was precipitating my desire to leave New York and travel to a new environment within the city of Baltimore, a campus full of new faces, new professors, and new challenges? Maybe I could sum it up with the words of the Clash front man, “If I go there will be trouble…And if I stay it will be double.” Nah, I don’t think the Admissions Committee would like that response….

“Once upon a time….” I was a sophomore at a local state university, unhappy with my overall academic experience which left me searching for a new and improved college environment, a greater scholastic challenge, and a more well-rounded undergraduate education. The limited course selections, a restrictive core curriculum, academic advising frustrations, an intellectually uninspiring campus, (rumor has it the academic buildings were designed by a prison architect), and my daily, exhausting commute, served as the perfect combination of ingredients leading to an undergraduate transfer.  Furthermore, I was interested in obtaining a top-notch pre-medical education, complete with individualized attention from professors, accessible teaching assistants, small class sizes, an abundance of science laboratories, and access to ample research and clinical opportunities, something that my current institution unfortunately could not offer.

Other valid reasons that may lead to the consideration of transferring to a new institution include:

1. Institution Size (Too small, too big? Not just right…)
2. Class Size and Types (Availability of discussions, seminars, and tutorials? Student-Teacher Ratio?)
3. Major Selection (Want to major in Neuroscience, Political Science, Public Health, Education, Classics, Basket-weaving?)
4. Course Selection and Level of Difficulty (Flexibility of Curriculum? Is it too easy, too difficult?)
5. Campus (Close to a city? Lack of pretty scenery? Safety?)
6. Student Life (Lack of a social scene, or too much partying? Campus organizations, Extracurriculars.)
7. Quality of Faculty (Is there interaction? Too involved in research? Bueller, Bueller?)
8. Off Campus Opportunities? (Research, hospitals, courts, proximity to metropolitan areas?)
9. Housing Issues (Want a chance to live on campus, or alternatively, off campus?)
10. Special Programs Offered (Want to study abroad, shadow a physician, or enroll in a class at the School of Public Health?)

Assuming the role of Sherlock Holmes, transfer student style, I went into my exploratory search looking for an institution that would meet my specific, personalized criteria. I visited numerous undergraduate admissions web sites, reviewed transfer requirements and application deadlines, and requested admissions material from universities I was interested in potentially attending during the upcoming fall.  My mailman became pretty agitated during this period, as bulky, rather heavy view books and packages from numerous colleges were sent to my home address. (Sorry Mr. McFeely!)

After narrowing down my institutional search to about ten contenders, (warning: applying to five or more schools will increase your risk for a future clinically insane diagnosis), I contacted admissions representatives with specific questions, visited admissions-based message board forums to discuss student life, (Shameless Plug: apply.jhu.edu/forums), made plans to visit five universities, took notes and snapped pictures during my campus tours, and finally, the organizational nerd that I am, I ranked my transfer university selections utilizing a “Pro-Con” List.

Important Areas to Also Consider

During the Application Phase: Meeting eligibility requirements, the time of year, your class status, your academic and professional resume, your readiness to research and visit schools, collect recommendation letters, handle transfer credits and acceptance anxiety.

During the Acceptance Phase: Are you willing to potentially move to a new campus; are you ready to meet new people coming in as a glorified freshman; are you okay with the prospect that you might graduate later than anticipated; affordability and feasibility; housing; improving your study habits; bottom line, are you ready for a totally new educational experience?

The Final Decision – Should You Stay or Should You Go?

After I received all of my acceptances during the Summer of 2007, final things that ultimately swayed my decision regarding where to transfer were:

1) My initial “PRO/CON” List analysis
2) Transfer credit processing and the acceptance of credit
3) Tuition and off campus housing costs
4) Meetings with Academic Advisors = The time they reserved to meet with me, as well as their tone, warmth, and professionalism
5) And finally, which school had imaginary trumpets blaring when I arrived…  (Please read my first guest blog, to understand)

In conclusion, the decision to transfer to a new institution is something that should not be taken lightly.  It is a process that requires the applicant to make an important personal, reflective inquiry regarding their past and their future, as well as a process that involves a tremendous amount of research, time, effort, and commitment, all boiling down to the original question, “should you stay or should you go?” I hope my transfer-related advice has served to provide some helpful assistance and to close, I’m happy to report: I’m incredibly pleased and grateful that I decided “to go…”

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.

 

The Return & Reflections on the Last Few Weeks

It has been a bit more than two weeks since the release of Regular Decision notifications and now that the dust has mostly settled, I have returned to blogging. Before I explain my absence and touch on a bunch of topics, I need to reflect back on March 28, 2008. What a day it was! 

I was going through all the pictures I took of the file room, stuffing of decision letters, and the mailing process and I came across this last one which is posted on the right. I didn't even take this picture. I believe Lauren snapped the shot, and Jessica was the one who chose the sign.

It is actually the perfect picture to summarize my emotions the evening of March 28. We were done, we made it, and in retrospect it is amazing to think how we got there. It truly was a mix of ... Blood (from paper and folder cuts), Sweat (from the weird heating system in Mason Hall), and Tears (from lack of sleep and the difficult decisions we had to make). With the strength of this year's applicant pool, it was a bit miraculous that the whole Admissions team was able to work together and get the decisions out even a couple of days earlier than April 1st. I think it was the exhaustion of the past few weeks that led me to collapse that Friday evening and go in a sort of hibernation over that first weekend.

So what has Admissions Daniel been doing since the release of decisions?
After my weekend of hibernation and lots of sleep, it was time to get back to work and prepare for the mayhem that is April. No rest for the weary. There were Open Houses to prepare for, Engineering tours to arrange, the Westgate Scholarship program to organize, Spring Travel plans to be made, CRIBS videos to post, Parent, Faculty, and Alumni blogs to upload, etc. etc. etc. But in addition to all that there were the many phone calls to receive, the voicemail messages to respond to, and the emails to answer. The weeks after the release of decisions is the busiest time of year when it comes to fielding phone calls and emails.

And these calls and emails are not the easiest to handle. In a year as competitive as this year has been across the entire college admissions landscape, there is a lot of confusion, frustration, anger, and emotion. By far this is the hardest part of my job ... handling the aftermath of decisions. So many questions of why, can you reconsider, did you make the right decision ... and unfortunately a lot of anger. Despite being quite difficult, I think I do handle these conversations well and try as best as I can be to be understanding and respectful. Unfortunately, sometimes nothing will help.

There is a whole other part to this process and that is the response that takes place in online forums. Whether it be the forums that Hopkins Interactive presents (our blogs, message boards, Facebook) or whether it be other popular college-oriented discussion board (read: College Confidential), there is a lot of debate, discussion, and argument that takes place online. I do read everything, but this year I made a very important decision -- I took two weeks off. I followed the discussions, but I did not contribute. I also chose to not blog during this time to allow all the initial reactions to occur.

Some may disagree with my decision, but as I return to the online discussion community now, I feel I made the best choice. Though I personally disagree with a lot of discussions that occur on sites like College Confidential, I do understand the popularity of such forums. First, they are pretty much anonymous and allow anyone to say anything. Second, they allow people to vent without consequence or concrete arguments. Third, they allow the uninformed to appear knowledgeable and they allow the "loudest" person to dominate. Fourth, ... well I can go on with a ton more reasons but I will refrain and maybe hold all those thoughts for a time when I am running low on blog topics.

That is not the case right now. I have a lot to say and I lot to write. Unfortunately, it is closing in on midnight and I have to be on-campus quite early tomorrow for our second Admitted Student Open House. So I will be signing off, but encouraging you to all check back at the end of the week and frequently over the next few weeks ... because Admissions_Daniel is back, the Hopkins Insider Blog is back, and there is a lot to be discussed. Thanks for your patience and thanks for sticking with me.

Before I sign off though, I do have two final things that must be said:

To Those of You Who Have Taken the Time Over the Last Few Weeks to Speak Favorably of the Hopkins Insider Blog and My Work (Whether In Person or Through Correspondence):
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Your comments and positive feedback are truly appreciated by me. Though there is absolutely no need for you all to thank me, I must be honest and say it feels good to hear such positive reinforcement. I have had a lot of people share with me their enjoyment of the blog and Hopkins Interactive, and that they find me to be very accessible. That is what I am working towards, and it is such an affirmation that the long hours and work is reaching an ever-growing audience. Often the only feedback one gets is the angry, negative comments -- and oh boy I have gotten a few of them -- but the last few weeks the positive response has been overwhelming and it really means a lot. Thanks again!!!

To Those of You Visiting Campus and Who See Me Around, Come Up and Say Hello:
I'm not kidding. I really enjoy meeting the people who read this blog. I always joke that no one reads my ramblings. So if you see me at an Open House or during your visit to campus, come up and say hi and let me know you read the blog. I will almost always make a joke about how Admissions_Daniel is my evil alter ego, but I will also probably be able to answer any of your questions and just make you feel welcome on the Homewood campus. Also, I am typically around some of the amazing current Hopkins students, and they are wonderful to engage with. So I hope to see some of you at the Open Houses or around campus.

OK, I am off to bed. Check back soon, as I promise ... I have a lot to say and I think you will enjoy. Cheers!

An Ode to the Disgruntled Student

Very rarely in the two plus years of the Hopkins Insider blog have a stepped up on the proverbial soap-box and become all preachy. Well after a week of frustrating conversations and discussions I am motivated to step up and state my opinion now. (No this is not related to the frustrating writer's strike or the ridiculous attention being paid to Britney Spears in the mainstream media -- though I definitely could go off big time about both of those topics.) This post is dedicated to the disgruntled students out there and my advice for them after ten years of witnessing these students and listening to their complaints.

First, a bit of background. About a week ago I received a friendly call from a guidance counselor I have known for a long time. The call was a quick check-in about an applicant, but then we started discussing a variety of topics. One of those topics was about Facebook and how today's youth really don't understand the concept of good common sense when it relates to such online social networking. That is a topic for another time though. Near the end of the conversation the counselor was talking about one of her former students who is now a freshman at a University I used to work at. This student is miserable and strongly considering the possibility of transferring to another school. Since I still feel a connection to this former employer, I inquired about what the student's chief complaints were about her school, which by the way she applied Early Decision to and was admitted. After the counselor explained the student's main criticisms I just rolled my eyes because I had heard them so many times while working at that University. To keep this story short, the basic summation is that the student made the wrong choice and now is regretting her decision.

This discussion would not have stuck with me if I didn't get an email the next day from one of my childhood friends who was asking me some questions about my alma mater. She had had a discussion with someone a few days before about the school I attended and shared my tale about how in the end I didn't think my alma mater was the best place for me to go to school. Basically the person my friend was talking about had similar experiences at her alma mater and had always thought if she had gone to the school I went to her collegiate experience would have been perfect. This reminder about my problems with the college I chose to attend reflected a lot of the emotions I had the day before during my conversation with that guidance counselor.

Now I have been focused on two major things lately ... reading applications obviously and purchasing a new car. For these reasons I didn't spend much time reflecting on this little tickle in my brain that was saying deep down inside that there was something I wanted to get off my chest. It wasn't until earlier this week that the tickle became a pounding in the back of my head and I decided it was time to put pen to paper. (Yes I actually use the archaic form of pen and paper to outline the blogs I write - call me a technical dinosaur but it works for me.) As for what pushed me over the edge, let's just say in the last two days I have come into contact with a number of what I label "disgruntled students." One of these contacts was overhearing a conversation between two students as I walked from the library back to Mason Hall ... another was a conversation with a prospective transfer student ... and finally let's just say I have been reading too much of College Confidential lately.

So what is it I want to say you ask? Well to those disgruntled students out there, very simple ... STOP COMPLAINING AND DO SOMETHING! Get up and make a change. No one is going to do it for you. Opportunity is out there if you just get out of your own way and seek it. Decide what it is you want and then go pursue it. The only change that will occur is one that you set forth and pursue on your own.

What do I mean when I use the term disgruntled student? Well I am narrowly defining this term as current college students who basically don't like / enjoy / value the current institution they are attending. Every school has these students, even those historic Ivy League schools. These students are miserable. They find fault in everything about their university from the academics, to the social life, to the people, to the faculty, to the facilities, to the resources, etc. They complain constantly, they infect those around them, and they have a chip on the shoulder feeling that their institution is out to make their collegiate experience horrible.

Where do the disgruntled come from? First in my opinion these are students who conducted a poor college search and ended up choosing the wrong school for them. Many times these are students who choose more because of reputation rather than looking at personal fit. These students typically did not put enough time in conducting their own research about the schools they were considering attending. Word of mouth is usually considered more reliable than actually experiencing a campus visit and engrossing themselves in a campus before signing that enrollment agreement. And when I say word of mouth, I include the "marketing" messages coming from the specific colleges too.

The other group of disgruntled is those who are created after they arrive at their college destination. These are the students who feel that their institution of learning should lay everything out there so simply for them. They expect the University to make the academics fit their specific wants and needs. They expect the University to plan social events specifically for their interests. They expect their classmates to be perfect representations of what they consider the right student body. The expect faculty to be accessible 24/7. Clearly I am exaggerating the point here, but these are students who find so many things to criticize just because their college experience is not moving along as they had expected it to be. In the end though, it is always the fault of the University ... it is always that the University misrepresents itself ... it is never something within the disgruntled student.

Some may read this and say I have no background to talk about such things. Well, I do and that is because back in my college days I was one of these disgruntled students. I actually made the wrong choice of colleges to attend and for the second half of my undergraduate years I complained and criticized constantly. I didn't make change ... I didn't adjust my thinking ... I just wore my flannel, listened to my grunge rock and came up with theories on how my college was against me. I could have made my undergraduate experience better but I was too lazy, and it was so much easier just to criticize. I could have talked more with faculty, I could have experienced more of the city I lived in, I could have tried other campus events or parties, I could have gone to the Career Center, but I chose not to. Thankfully, I don't regret any of this now because my college frustration then, ultimately led me to become an Admissions Counselor now. And yes, I have found my dream job. (They call that a silver lining!!!) [I actually wrote a bit about this in the spring of last year during my Ode to the Transfer Applicant.]

So to the disgruntled student I say, MAKE A CHANGE. Yes, you make the change. Try something new. Find a new group of friends. Go to a different party. Experience a part of the city you have never been to. Take some different classes. Read the student newspaper or daily announcements and attend one of the various campus events. Stop complaining. Stop making excuses. It is not "cool" to be disgruntled. And in the end, if it still is not working out for you then make the biggest change possible - TRANSFER.

Speaking specifically about Hopkins, I have never and will never say that the University is for everyone. I also have never and will never say the University is perfect. But this is true of all colleges and universities across this country, and globally too. There will always be disgruntled students at Hopkins, and always students who have complaints. I actually think that is a rite of passage for college students to complain. But I have absolutely no patience for the disgruntled student who has not attempted to change and improve their personal situation. College is WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT.

For the prospective student or current applicant out there, I sum it with two pieces of advice and one caution. The caution is that unfortunately you might make the wrong choice of colleges. This rarely happens, but don't go into this process thinking that everyone always makes the right choice. As for the advice to help avoid this, you need to first make sure you do the research and experience your future college before signing on the dotted line. And second, when you arrive in college, don't expect your school to create a life for you. Go out and grab it yourself, and design an academic and social life that you want. Don't be lazy about this, because the four years will fly by.

Thankfully in my four plus years at Hopkins I have come into contact with less and less of these disgruntled students. Heck, the freshman to sophomore year retention rate is above 95% so many, many, many students at Hopkins know they have made the right choice. The disgruntled still exist and though they probably will never read this entry I hope in some way they will heed my advice in the future. If I could back to my collegiate years and do things differently, I definitely would have. Hopefully, I can educate future potential disgruntled students and help guide them to finding ways to change and improve – or else they might follow my fate and become an Admissions professional.

OK, I am done ... time to watch American Idol. I'll be back later in the week with some updates and announcements.

New Year Hodgepodge

Wow, two blog entries already in 2008 and it is just the 6th of January. This must be a sign that I am really keeping up with my 2008 resolutions. Like many, each year I set a number of resolutions at the start of the year and also like many I usually have forgotten about those resolutions by the end of the first week of January. Not this year ... so far.

Actually, the first few days of the new year have been good ones. I think the rest, relaxation, and time spent with the family for the final two weeks of 2007 helped get the new year off with a bang. One of my main resolutions was to write more, and so far so good. Two blog entries is one piece of evidence, but I also have begun journaling again each night and am even keeping a running list of all the things I like / enjoy / provide me with joy / etc. Maybe I'll share the list in the future, but right now it is for my eyes only.

I also resolved to read more and so far I have completed two books (James Patterson's Double Cross (I'm addicted to his books, don't judge me) & Flags of our Fathers (after seeing the film I really wanted to read the book). Plus, I am reading more newspaper and magazine articles (trying to get informed for Election 2008) and more columns hoping to become a better blogger (I strongly suggest Stephen King's writings for Entertainment Weekly and Bill Simmons of ESPN The Magazine.) Come to think of it, all this writing and reading may stem from the persistent Writer's Strike which has robbed me of my true love of Television, and also the dearth of strong films that opened during the holiday season. (I do still have to see Juno though.)

Truthfully, I don't expect it all to last because the number of application files to read is growing fast. But this year I am confident I can maintain resolutions despite the onslaught of file reading season. Fingers crossed.

One of the things I did accumulate over the last few weeks are a number of ideas for blog topics. I jotted them down on Post-It Notes like usually, but it turns out none are worthy of a whole entry. So I thought I would do one of my "bits and pieces" entries. Some pieces will be admissions-related and other bits will be just interesting things that have come my way recently. Let's get started...

REGULAR DECISION DEADLINES COMES AND GOES

Yes, January 1, 2008 came and went, and in its aftermath are bins and bins and bins and bins and bins and bins and bins of application materials. See these recent pictures of the third floor of Mason Hall:

You can see all the bins of mail that need to be opened, our trusted student workers going through all that mail, the bookshelves of materials that need to be entered into our database, and then the bins of those materials that need to be filed. And oh yeah, the boxes and boxes of score reports. A look of work to be done, but thankfully starting next week a cadre of students will return for Intersession and help with the sorting, alphabetizing, and filing. I even helped out last week ... I am a master alphabetizer!!!

COMMON QUESTIONS THIS TIME OF YEAR

With the application deadline past, there are some questions that we are frequently asked. I thought I would provide answers to those questions to help alleviate any confusion or just provide details about the process. (See one my recent posts for even more FAQs related to the application process.) Here goes:

Is my application complete? Can I check my status online? Do you have my stuff? Or any of the other ways to ask such questions.

With the volume of materials we need to process right now (see pictures above), we are just not able to confirm whether application files are complete or to identity which individual items have been received. It takes time so we ask patience of all of our applicants.

We do not have an online system for checking application status, nor do we confirm application materials through email. All applicants will be mailed an acknowledgment postcard (they are blue) after your application is  received AND PROCESSED. This indicates your application file has been opened (not necessarily that it is complete). It can take up to 4-6 weeks for these postcards to be sent and received (more for international mailing addresses).

In late February, once we have processed all received application materials, we will contact students whose applications remain incomplete. Those students will be given an opportunity to provide us with any missing items before we complete the evaluation of their applications. Rest assured that application files are checked carefully for completeness. 

Can I add items to my application even though the deadline has passed? Uh oh, I made a mistake in my application, how can I correct it?

Yes, we will still accept application updates and we do have a process for error corrections. It is simple. To provide an update or error correction, you must compose a cover letter and submit these materials by fax (410-516-6025) or mail to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Please note that we do request in the cover letter you include your full name, birth date, and school name (SS# is optional but can help), so that we can merge this new information with your application folder. Also note, that all updates should be sent in by February 1st. Finally, DO NOT SEND UPDATES VIA EMAIL, as we do not process application materials received through email.

When will decisions be released? How many applications have been received? How many will be admitted? What will the acceptance rate be?

- Last week in March. No date has been set yet.
- Not sure yet, but it looks like a lot.
- No clue. We have to review application first.
- Also, no clue. We will rely on our mathematical formulas when the time comes.

These are all legitimate questions, but all too early to ask. Once we have updated information, it will be posted on the blog ... I promise.

Remember, if you have a question not asked/answered here or on the Admissions web site, feel free to post it on the Hopkins Forums in the Ask Admissions section.

THE GREATEST SPORT RIGHT NOW: HOCKEY RULES

So the coolest (pun intended) thing I have seen in this new year was televised on NBC on the afternoon of January 1st. It was the NHL's Winter Class game between the Buffalo Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins. What made it amazing is the game was played outdoors in a football stadium with 70,000 fans and a raging snowstorm. It was a spectacle and held my attention throughout unlike most sporting events these days.

Did any of you see this? If not, check out the clip below which does about an 11 minute re-cap of the game, which actually turned out to be quite thrilling too. I am a die-hard hockey fan (Go Islanders!!!) and I really hope that this game can get the sport back on the map and have more games televised weekly. I can't stand basketball, football is almost over, baseball is months away ... I need my HOCKEY!!! Support the NHL!!!

READ THIS: AN INTERESTING COLUMN WRITTEN BY A HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR

I was scanning a collection of Admissions-related articles from the past month and came up with one I really wanted to share with you all.

Just make admissions rules clear by Kate Holby, a high school senior at Palisades High School in Upper Black Eddy, PA.

I read this column twice and I applaud Kate for writing it and The Philadelphia Inquirer for publishing it. Typically, the media published columns related to the field of Admissions from the wrong sources in my opinion. Many are written by media professionals who have never worked in the field, long-standing admissions professionals who are often so far removed from what it is like being a high school student applying for college, and/or independent college professionals who have their own agenda when writing. I want to hear more from the students like Kate.

As far as the content of her column, I do sympathize with her. Not over her not being admitted to the school of her choice, but with her claim that admissions information is "murky at best" and sometimes non-existent. I agree with her that more information is better and will be helpful (though I don't like her choice of the phrase "rules of the game.") Though I do not agree with everything Ms. Holby writes, I do agree with the central premise that there needs to be more transparency in college admissions, especially from the highly selective schools.

I hope that those applying to Hopkins feel like there is useful information out there. This blog is one of those tools and I also feel the student blogs and Hopkins Forums are other ways we make the process of applying and being accepted to Hopkins as transparent and lucid as possible. The process is not an easy one to explain, but I do believe more conversation needs to take place between Admissions professionals and their applicants. Admissions blogs are one of these many tools, and hopefully in the future more and more colleges will adopt this technique and the ideology that goes along with it.

UPDATES ON SOZE AND LILLY:

It wouldn't be a hodgepodge Hopkins Insider blog with some pictures of the mascots: Soze my dog and Lilly my niece. So here are four pics for you all to enjoy. The two of Soze are him doing what he does best ... sleeping. The pillow was his Christmas gift, and clearly he loves it. I also sharing a picture of Admissions Daniel's family Christmas tree, and Lilly's joy when she saw all the presents ... most of which were for her. Enjoy...

...and keep up with your New Year's resolutions. (Hopefully one of those resolutions will be to read the Hopkins Insider more, tell more people about this amazing blog, and to actually even post a comment. -- I love to pander.) CHEERS!