The Approach … and a Brain Dump
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Posted by: Admissions_Daniel | 
December 6 2006 | 
Comments (47)
Last week in the "Ready, Set, READ" entry I promised to elaborate more on the "approach to reading" that the Admissions staff discussed at our Reading Retreat in November. But before diving into that compelling discussion, I want to share with you all some random thoughts and tidbits. Every once in a while, as a stress-reliever or a fun way to procrastinate, I will make a list of thoughts that have been running through my mind. I call it a brain dump, and I thought I would share my first brain dump of the reading season:
- I am getting close to moving Heroes to the top of my list of favorite TV shows. Clearly the best new show of the season, and with LOST and 24 on hiatus, this is my current TV obsession. "Are you on the list?"
- Breaking News is cool … click here. Also, the This Week at Hopkins blog rules, in my humble opinion.
- I do not like Paris Hilton, AT ALL!!!
- I like cold weather, except when the wind blows. Wind chill factor are three words that should never have been put together.
- ABBA Rules. Thanks Mike & Mike for reminding me.
- Mark McGuire should not be voted into the Hall of Fame. Especially in the same year as true ball players like Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn.
- I like reading stories about people hurting themselves by using the new Wii remote controls. I guess I am a bit jealous.
- I miss Jack Bauer, and the special noise a CTU phone makes when ringing. (That should be my new ring tone…)
- Deal or No Deal is addictive. Mindless fun.
- I am thankful for lunches with real friends. Yeah Susan and Lillian (SHOUT OUT!)
- The BCS is a joke. Are you bowl eligible?
- Hi Mom!
- I LIKE WHEN PEOPLE COMMENT ON THE BLOGS. Especially with random questions like what is "blue out" for. Thanks Jessica.
- Oscar season is here!!! Maybe we can stop hearing about Borat now.
- Best song I have heard recently: "Boston" by Augustana.
- New York Mets – listen to me. Get Barry Zito. Get rid of Lastings Milledge.
- I like my profession. Especially when I get to brainstorm new ideas for Hopkins Interactive with the S.A.A.B. students.
- I love watching my dog sleep … except when he takes up the whole bed.
Whew…that was a lot. My brain feels good now.
OK, so last week I took you all through a tour of the inner workings of our office as reading season commenced. With nine days until the decision release date for ED, the team is moving towards the committee read portion of the decision making process. Over the next week and a half we will discuss the approximately 1000 ED files and finalize decisions, that will then be mailed and e-mailed on December 15. (Read this if you are curious about the notification process.)
It is during this part of the process where we focus on our overall philosophy of reading — our "approach to reading." If you are curious as to how one admissions counselor reads a file, you can read a post I made last year: click here. This "approach" is a way to look at each individual application in the context of the entire applicant pool while factoring in the goals of the Admissions Office and the University in total. It is both our philosophy as well as our directive. The directive is to go beyond the facts — look at the application subjectively and objectively — take a deep analysis of each file — read between the lines when necessary. The approach is holistic, it is comprehensive, it is imperfect but it works because of the talent of the staff. It is a focus on the applicant rather than just the application. And the ultimate goal is to admit the RIGHT students for Johns Hopkins. The RIGHT FITS.
To expand on these opening points, let me tell you the about the three categories that define what we are looking for in our applicants:
(1) ACADEMIC POTENTIAL
A bit obvious, but this is truly the most important category of thoughts that we consider when approaching our application reviews. We are simply looking for the best and brightest scholars. This is the foundation for which our entire review process is built upon.
Here is where we evaluate the applicant’s academic abilities, academic achievements, and academic promise. We thoroughly evaluate the high school transcript, academic enrichment experiences, letters of recommendation from educators, and standardized test scores. The rigor of a student’s curriculum matters; their performance throughout high school matters; their contribution in their classrooms matters; their academic relationship with their teachers and peers matters; their performance on national standardized tests matters. Everything matters.
But it is not just about evaluating the past and present, but predicting the future. Our role is to question for each and every applicant, what will they contribute to Johns Hopkins academically? This sense of contribution is equally important to the sense of the student as a scholar. Numbers, averages, statistics do matter — but they matter in the context of the full review of an applicant’s academic experiences and potential.
(2) PERSONAL QUALITIES
The academic review is paramount, but it is absolutely not the only criteria we consider. In many cases, equally important is a look at the applicant as a person, as an individual, as a human being. Personal qualities matter. We want students that will be productive, will be positive, and will ultimately strive to make a difference. Johns Hopkins is both an educational institution as it is a learning community, and this sense of an individual’s role in both settings is important.
Here is where a student’s extracurricular life and their essays become crucial. Just as we evaluate academics in a dual format (past achievements and predictions of potential), we take that approach to reviewing an applicant’s personal qualities and contribution. We look at their past achievements in their school and in their community, taken into account what other’s write about them, and finally listen to their own personal voice in the essays. It is once again about contribution. Questions of leadership, service, commitment, passion, and potential are all key in this part of the review.
Just as we want students who will academically fit and contribute to the classroom, we want students who socially will fit and contribute to the community. Those AP courses matter, but so do those clubs and organizations you got involved with, and so do the words you write discussing who you have been, who you are, and who you will be.
(3) BUILDING A COMMUNITY
The final item we consider can be summarized in three simple words: The Big Picture. Once we have evaluated you academically and personally, now the ultimate question is asked: do you fit the community we are building at Johns Hopkins? Are you one of the pieces to the grand puzzle? Many students "wow" us with their academic accomplishments or their pursuit of their passions, but we also need to conclude that the student fits our goals for the Class.
The nature of the whole matters as much as the evaluation of the individual. We want a class that is diverse and has great breadth. The more diverse the class in all ways, shapes, and forms, the stronger the class will be. And when we say diverse we mean it in all categories – race, ethnicity, gender, academic interests, special talents, demographics, etc. We benefit from the fact that we have an amazingly diverse pool of applicants to start. The difficult part is reviewing each and every applicant and determining if and where they fit into the big picture of what we want the Class of 2011 (and beyond) to look like.
I hope this has shed some more light on how we admissions professionals do our jobs. As I have said many times before, this is not an easy task. But we all approach it with respect, commitment, and focus, and we do a pretty darn good job each year.
Three final thoughts:
- I wrote this entire entry listening to The Garden State soundtrack. Can we now declare it the best movie soundtrack of all time?
- I like checking my blog and seeing comments. Hint, Hint.
- Finally, two more shots of my advisors when reading your applications:
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Quick Addendum: Just wanted to say hello to one of my fans who I just learned about today. She is a mother of triplets and a fourth child and works at our Eastern campus. You rode back with my colleague Susan from the medical campus, and Susan told me you are a fan. THANKS FOR READING!!!
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By John, December 6, 2006 @ 7:17 PM
I took a hint and decided to comment and thank you for these really fun posts. A couple things I’d like to comment on:
Although LOST is on hiatus (which really upsets me) the shows that I’m watching now are: Nip/tuck, Prison Break, and Battlestar Gallactic (it’s really good despite how dorky it sounds check out this:http://www.metacritic.com/tv/shows/battlestargalacticaseason3?q=battlestar)
). I’ve never seen Heroes though, maybe I should check it out.
My wii controller has remained OUTSIDE of my television and within the clutches of my hand. I think those who end up throwing the remote are just uncoordinated or have a pretty serious sweating problem.
It’s great that you’re keeping everyone informed as they wait for December 15 (myself included). So great post and thanks -Jack
By Laleh, December 6, 2006 @ 9:32 PM
I really enjoyed reading this blog. Since i am really nervous for next week, reading about the holistic approach made me feel a bit better. by the way i am also addicted to deal or no deal.
By Tina, December 6, 2006 @ 9:32 PM
How many Adcoms review an application? Does one Adcom make the decision and then send it to another to be further judged, or is it done deal there? I think the best song on that soundtrack is that Zero 7 song “In the waiting line,” I had it stuck in my head for the longest time.
By Jon, December 6, 2006 @ 9:57 PM
I’d have to agree, Heroes is one of, if not THE, best show on television. Though, you think they could come up with better taglines…..we go from “Save the cheerleader, save the word” to “Are you on the list?” Sorta lame, but the show isnt! Can’t wait to see whats in store after the hiatus!
By Rahul, December 6, 2006 @ 9:57 PM
these blogs are calming, but the next day it seems that strong individuals such as myself have no chance…some say that Hopkins is easy to get into if you show you want to be there, you’re in. Other times it seems like Hopkins is so highly selective, that admission is virtually impossible…who to believe? Well I’ll know in a week, hopefully…right now, got to get back to Madden…I mean physics
By Laleh, December 6, 2006 @ 10:33 PM
did the applicant pool increase or decrease this year?
By Tanya Lukasik (Tanya922), December 6, 2006 @ 11:20 PM
Hands down, Frou Frou’s, “Let Go” is the best song from The Garden State soundtrack! In addition, Lilly is adorable, such a cutie. :)
It was nice to finally meet you at the Fall Natural Sciences Open House; I ‘hunted’ you down last minute to introduce myself when you were attempting to leave for Boston lol.
Enjoy the remainder of your week! Thank you for the entertaining and informative blogs!
By Daniel Creasy, December 7, 2006 @ 5:52 AM
WOW!!! I have fans…I need a tissue to wipe the tears out of my eyes. Thanks for the comments all. Let me respond…
John (Jack) – I have heard good things about Battlestar but I have too many shows I follow right now (maybe DVD in the future).
Laleh – Glad you enjoy the blog. Have faith, and stick with Howie Madel.
Tina – Every file is first read fully by one reader, and then goes to either a second reader or a committee of second readers. No file is determined just by one person.
Jon – I actually like the new tag line, especially if you say it in a low whisper.
Rahul – Have faith. And enjoy physics (Madden).
Laleh – We won’t share numbers until decisions are done, but it looks like the ED pool will be the same size as last year.
Tanya – I agree, the Frou Frou song is by far the best. I did enjoy meeting you as well even though I was running to Boston. Cheers.
By Jessica Kraus, December 7, 2006 @ 6:24 PM
1. Once again, I really enjoyed the blog entry…it makes the wait go a little faster.
2. I’m glad the readers came out of their shells and commented.
3. Did you ever write a blog entry about how you got into admissions?
4. There is a scene from Garden State filmed in my town (the hardware store scene.)
Thanks again!
Jessica (Blue out girl)
By Anne Huang, December 7, 2006 @ 11:12 PM
Thank you for letting us know the details of how you evaluate the applications. Also, I was really interested to see the picture of all the application files in the previous post. That is a whole lot of applications.
By Daniel Creasy, December 8, 2006 @ 5:14 AM
Yeah, even more comments.
Jessica – Glad you commented again. Good idea about writing an entry about how I got into the field — I will do that this winter.
Anne – Glad you like the posts and pictures. Just wait until January when we take pictures of all the RD applications — more mail than you can imagine.
Cheers!
By Tina, December 9, 2006 @ 2:24 PM
Thank you! But what happens if two adcoms disagree about an application?
By Jeff, December 9, 2006 @ 9:45 PM
Thanks for the info about the app process. I thought it was funny that you mentioned the ctu ring tone, as I recorded on my phone and now use it for mine. I feel like I am on an important mission everytime someone calls.
By Arena, December 10, 2006 @ 3:07 PM
I agree with everyone else, the blog makes the wait seem easier. I was wondering, what does “hon” mean? it was on the JHU Speak list, and how would someone pronounce Bawl’mer…is it pronounced without the “t” or just implied that you should pronounce the “t”?hmm…. thanx! Hope your weekend gets much better and less stressed!!!!!
By Michael Rogers, December 10, 2006 @ 3:17 PM
I’ve really enjoyed what Hopkins Interactive, and this blog in particular, offer perspective students. It’s nice to know that JHU admissions has such an interest in giving applicants as much important information as possible. I sensed that same overall attitude on my visit to the Homewood campus last spring, and it is one of the major reasons that I chose to apply.
Thanks!
Oh, and the Garden State soundtrack is fantastic–shows that you don’t need a few hundred million dollars to make a good movie.
By Jin, December 10, 2006 @ 7:28 PM
I will follow in your footsteps and leave the greatest comment a man has ever dared to post on his blog…
HI MOM!
By Daniel Creasy, December 11, 2006 @ 8:54 AM
Wow…so many comments. I am happy.
Tina – Counselors disagree all the time. That is why we have commitees to sort disagreements out. And then there is also the Director who finalizes every decision.
Jeff – CTU ring tone of your cell phone … GENIUS!
Arena – Bawl’mer sounds just like it is spelled, with out the T. And as for “Hon” there really is no easy way to define it. It is just a term that native Baltimore people use when addressing others. Do you understand, Hon?
Michael – Thanks for the comment and I agree about not needing a huge budget to make a stellar movie.
Jin – Great comment. Hi, Jin’s mom.
By Dan Bee Kim, December 12, 2006 @ 6:01 AM
wow. this blog, to me at least, sounded like the ultimate answer booklet of “what goes on in Johns Hopkins while you guys die of anxiety?” So by this time, I am guessing that all of the decisions have been made, and the “mails” are being finalized (I may be very wrong). Ah! Panic attack! Only 3 days left! Oh, I wish to ask you one minor question that seems to bother me around 24/7 these past few days: my friend who got into the same major as I applied for in Johns Hopkins ED told me that he received his acceptance email on December 16th (Note: We live in Indonesia.) Was this because of the time differnece or was it because it was one of those it’s-late-because-it’s-late-without-any-explanation cases?
Oh I just remembered: I JUST received the little card from Johns Hopkins that notifies the applicants that their applications are being processed (The post is EXTREMELY slow here.) and I found out that the labels were printed wierdly. So, only the bottom quarter of my name appears with my full address and another applicant’s name on the bottom of the label. I found it quite funny. (Who’s Jong Soo Kim? Who are you! Where are you!) Someone else somewhere out there in the world would think the same thing… Who’s Dan Bee Kim? Where are you! lol
I am sorry for these superfluous comments. :)
On the last thought, Hi everyone’s mom! Also, thank you for your hard work!
By Arena, December 12, 2006 @ 7:19 PM
How come the dad’s never get any salutations??!! You know what, I’m sure this is one of kind, the best post ever…..Hi DAD!!!!!! there’s 2.5 days and 4 hrs and 40 mins..and some seconds….anxious me?! pssspth…maybe a little….
By Johnny Xie, December 12, 2006 @ 7:59 PM
Hey,everyone :)
responding to:
“this blog, to me at least, sounded like the ultimate answer booklet of “what goes on in Johns Hopkins while you guys die of anxiety?”
I so agree with you! But the blog is awesome though.
And I like the soundtrack of the movie “Village”(2005?,I think…)– it is so great!
By Derek, December 12, 2006 @ 8:30 PM
Is it just me or does this week seem like its going in slow motion….haha
good luck to everyone!!
By Michael C, December 12, 2006 @ 9:18 PM
no, i think the rest of these days are progressing so fast compared to all those other days before the last 4 days and so…=(
By Dan Bee Kim, December 12, 2006 @ 11:49 PM
ok… 2 more days left. ahh!! major panic! I think I need to learn yoga or something like that before I go to Johns Hopkins (if I ever do get in lol) Yes, I agree with you. THIS WEEK IS TOO SLOW!!! I really want to see another post that says, “the decisions and beyond~” or something like that to give me the answer to “What’s going on in Johns Hopkins while you guys are REALLY dying of anxiety?” Please do post soon!
Is it just me or are we all daydreaming every-so-often about us at Johns Hopkins? I just can’t stop it! This daydreaming will either become reality or stay as a daydream in 2 days… 2 DAYS! Good luck everyone!
PS: yes… sorry dad about not mentioning you. HI DAD!!! (and other family members)
By Tina, December 12, 2006 @ 11:49 PM
Oh my gosh, these days are going wickedly slow. Its ridiculous! I know what you guys mean. I’m happy though, because this whole process has been really fun (in a weird way) and at least with waiting, there’s still a possibility that you got in and is better than definite rejection.
I don’t know if you guys will face the same issue, but I know I’m going to sit in front of my computer and stare at the JHU subject line and be too afraid to open it for at least a couple hours, even now, I can’t believe the decisions are pretty much finalized.
These blogs are amazing though, they’ve provided so much insight and its nice to know that Admissions care this much as to post about the process- and it shows how much JHU cares about its students, which makes me want to attend even more!
By Laleh, December 12, 2006 @ 11:54 PM
I am really excited yet nervous. Does anyone know around what time we should be recieving the emails? I hope we all get in. good luck!
By Dan Bee Kim, December 13, 2006 @ 4:43 AM
well according to the post last year, the emails were sent at about 10 in the morning (which means that it’s going to be 10p.m. for me! ah!)
What is a JH subject line? Don’t we just have to wait for the emails to come?
Yes, the thought of the decisions already made and are probably in the process of printing acceptance/rejection/defer packages is scary yet almost enjoyable for some odd reason. (*sniff* I wonder which package I’ll be receiving in a few days! *another one of my anxiety/panic attacks :)* )
The days are fast yet slowly approaching… I know that all of you are very anxious (like me.. I understand.). I wish you all the best.
PS: I am still thinking, “Who’s Jong Soo Kim? Is he gonna get in with me/without me or get rejected, ect ect.? What major are you?”
By Tina, December 13, 2006 @ 6:17 AM
I heard that if you got accepted the subject line is like “congrats from JHU,” but if you got rejected its like “message from JHU”
By Daniel Creasy, December 13, 2006 @ 8:01 AM
Double Wow! More than 20 comments. Woo hoo….oh wait, I know why people are commenting — college confidential servers are down. Oh rats. But thank you to all for your positive comments. I wish I could respond more individually but the next couple of days are going to be VERY BUSY. So I go to run…
By Daniel Creasy, December 13, 2006 @ 8:01 AM
And oh yeah…
HI DAD!!!
By Michael C, December 13, 2006 @ 12:28 PM
lol…yes cc has been down since the midnight following tuesday morning. =(…1 more day of gap…and tina according to previous posts on cc i think the subject line is the same for everyone but if you use gmail…it’s quite pointless since the first line basically tells everything
By Tina, December 13, 2006 @ 2:43 PM
I’m so nervous!!!!
By Pativet Sathiensamrit, December 13, 2006 @ 2:48 PM
Wow ! I can’t believe the notification date is coming in a day a a half or so ! Good luck to everyone.. ^^
By Pativet Sathiensamrit, December 13, 2006 @ 2:50 PM
*in a day and half* >.<
By Tina, December 13, 2006 @ 4:14 PM
Actually Michael, I found a solution
When you’re about to log in to gmail, just minimize the window so that the page is partially open. This way, the little preview subject line is cut out because there’s no room.
Couldn’t have found this at a better time =D
GL
By Jessica, December 13, 2006 @ 4:18 PM
Quick Question:
If accepted early decision, does the student also find out at the same time if she/he has been accepted for the wilson fellowship project?
By Arena, December 13, 2006 @ 4:38 PM
Ahhh so nervous! Good Luck to all that applied…is it really true that if you get the message “congrats from JHU” than you got accepted and if you get the “message from JHU” that you know you’ve been rejected??
By Arena, December 13, 2006 @ 4:51 PM
Time is speeding so fast that I have had no idea how time has “flown by” but at the same time going so slow….even though time is infinite and it can neither slow nor speed, it still feels like it does..o yea i just got the soundtrack….. and whoever said it, was right, Frou FRou is the best song!!!!!! Also a big Thanx to Mr. Daniel Creasy for making such wonderful blogs about JHU, and informing myself, as well as the other prospective students of JHU, it’s really been awesome, whether I get in Undergraduate or not, JHU will be one of the most awesome colleges i’ve had the priviledge to apply to!! THis is my last blog post (it’s quite addictive really because all I want to do is sit in front of my notebook and wait for blogs to show up on Hopkins INteractive…i’m so lame… you can tell i’ve lived a sheltered life) anywho Goodluck again to all those who applied!!!! Take care Mr. D.C., adios Admissions Officers, and Hello big pile of HW i’ve procrastinated to do!!!
P.S. A big Shout out to FLorida!! ( my home state):D
By MIchael C., December 13, 2006 @ 6:17 PM
idk minimizing the window…arg…1 more day of gap
By Tina, December 13, 2006 @ 7:08 PM
You just click the “minus” button at the top of the page.
By Dan Bee Kim, December 13, 2006 @ 8:05 PM
ah!! 1 more day of panic and it’ll be over (whether the results will be good or bad.) I couldn’t go to sleep today because of one of my anxiety attacks (all I dreamt of was JHU, JHU, JHU, ect ect.) This week’s been crazy really… don’t you all think so?
So… we DON’T get to find out whether we’re in or not from the email suject line huh? (It just adds to a longer, greater nervous attack!) Oh btw, do we get to find out whether we not accepted to the BME major or not from the same email or do we get another email for that?
This is just TOO enjoyable yet painful in my point of view lol. If I don’t get into JHU, then… this is gonna happen again in a few months!
I wonder what’s going on at JHU admissions office right at this particular moment… packaging our packages probably?
Anyways, good luck to you all and yes, good luck to me.
By Sara Luterman, December 13, 2006 @ 8:13 PM
Heroes is the best thing on TV right now, hands down. This blog is great! It’s nice to know that we’ll be notified by e-mail. Regular mail is so slow!
By Tina, December 13, 2006 @ 9:23 PM
Dan, I know exactly how you feel. Just last night, in my three hours of sleep, I had a dream where I got my skinny letter but I couldn’t, physically open it-everytime I opened it, another layer of envelope would come on it. When I finally opened it, I realized I was rejected, and cried.
Lets hope my dreams aren’t prophetic.
The thing I’ll be most happy to be over with though, is feeling like I’m going to get in 100% one day because of the strong parts in my appy. And then another day, feeling like there’s no way I’m getting in because of my sats.
By Tina, December 13, 2006 @ 9:34 PM
Wuestion…
If we got in, when does the school assign email addresses to us?
By Mary, December 14, 2006 @ 11:13 AM
Just a quick thank you for the blogs. They have really personalized what can be a stressful process.
And I agree about the Garden State soundtrack. :)
By Sheila Tinn-Murphy, December 14, 2006 @ 9:45 PM
Hi Daniel
When I read your brain dump comment on your reaction to the wii remote control users hurting themselves, I think that your reaction could be summed up as a perfect schadenfreuden moment…..ask Jackie about the last time we were trying to explain the word schaenfreude to her friend while we were in NYC.
I am truly impressed that so many fans have posted. Of course, you know I am a faithful reader of all the bloggers.
Reading about ED time takes me back to last year when I was in the city at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the cafeteria and Jackie called to let me know she was admitted, I cried……Jackie cried….I called my mother…she cried too.
I wouldn’t be a good mom if I didn’t tell you to take your vitamins and get some rest after the exhausting work you do. Hope you have a wonderful holiday break.
By Daniel Creasy, December 15, 2006 @ 7:33 AM
Sheila,
I always have a huge smile on my face when I get a comment from you. Jackie probably has told you how in our meetings I am constantly talking about the comment functions on the blogs and I your name has come up in examples. My mom even knows about you and Jackie! And yes I will ask Jackie about schnadenfreuden – on her blog!
Happy Holidays (and yes I will take my vitamins!).
Cheers,
Daniel
By Shiva, July 28, 2008 @ 3:59 PM
This blog has been really helpful because it seems like some colleges seem to want to keep their admission processes secret. I do have one question however, when you are reading essays, what makes them standout?
Thanks