Welcome to the Team Bryan, Calvin, and Katie

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Though we never like saying goodbye to colleagues when someone leaves our staff, the silver lining is we get to welcome new members to our team. At the end of this summer we welcomed three new members of the Admissions counseling team and they have already made a positive impact on our office. Bryan, Calvin, and Katie all joined us just in time to head out on the road and begin recruitment travel. Now they are back in the office regularly and diving into the application review process just like the rest of the staff. Since we know our applicants like learning a bit about who reads their applications, I asked my new colleagues to compose some short introductions. So now join me in welcoming Bryan, Calvin, and Katie to the team.

Calvin, Katie, and Bryan (left to right)

Bryan Nance – Associate Director of Admissions
Region: Delaware, New Jersey

Hey Skeech how did we get here? (Movie trivia #1) Good question! Please allow myself to introduce… myself. (Movie trivia #2)

I was born in Queens, New York, and I’ve lived in Seoul, Republic of Korea; Tacoma Washington; Indianapolis, Indiana; Newark, Delaware; Ithaca, New York, Medford, Massachusetts; and most recently Oxford, Ohio. I am a graduate of Norfolk State University (Home of the Spartans!) and the University of Delaware (Home of The Fightin’ Blue Hens!). I served as an active duty US Army Officer (Adjutant General Corps) where I learned how to jump from perfectly good aircraft while in flight. (AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY!). Finally, I am married to Kristina with two daughters Lauren (20) and McKinley (8), and son Miles (5).

Twelve years ago I had the crazy idea that I could change the world by becoming an admissions counselor. So with my master’s degree in hand, I headed off to Ithaca, NY, intent on doing just that. In that time I’ve worked at Cornell, MIT, Miami University, and now Johns Hopkins, I have been successful in recruiting, admitting, and enrolling students of color. Yet the more I do, the more that needs to be done. I’ve always been interested in causes where I can make a difference. I am pleased to be a member of the Hopkins family and hope to make Hopkins more diverse one admit at a time.

Calvin Wise – Assistant Director of Admissions
Region: Maryland, Oregon, Washington

My name is Calvin Wise and I have been at Hopkins for just over two months now. I am originally from the Baltimore area, graduating from Calvert Hall College High School in Towson. Before coming to JHU, I spent six years at St. Mary’s College of Maryland; four years as a student and two years as an Admission Counselor.

For the high school seniors, not too long ago I was going through a very similar process as you. Although I’d like to think graduating high school was not too long ago, I am referring to transitioning to a new job. Making the decision to leave what was my home for six years was my most difficult decision to date. St. Mary’s was where I was comfortable, with plenty of good friends and memories. However, I knew it was time to move on. After I interviewed at Johns Hopkins, I strongly believed I had found my new home, but did the Admissions staff share the same feeling? Day after day, I waited in anxiousness to hear word from the Admissions Office. A couple of weeks later, I received the good news and initiated my transition to become a member of the JHU community. Filled with mixed emotions, I loaded up my car and set my sights on Baltimore. Once on campus, I unpacked my office; went through orientation; and, most importantly, purchased my sweatshirt! The students, staff, and faculty here are amazing. They possess a unique caring and passionate nature with the strong desire to help others.

The lessons I learned during my college search process were reiterated during my transition in employment. The key to success is finding a place where you will be happy. Do not take the process of finding your next home lightly. Always trust in your abilities and do not be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. Change can be a great thing, providing us with new challenges and opportunities!

Katherine Rieder – Assistant Director of Admissions
Region: District of Columbia, Maryland

Early this September, I accepted the position of Assistant Director of Admissions and Alumni Relations at Hopkins, but my JHU story really began 15 years ago. My parents and I pulled up to the AMRs (the freshmen dorms) during Labor Day weekend 1996, a group of students swarmed our car and very efficiently transported all my worldly possessions to my room, and I officially became a Hopkins freshmen. I remember looking around, admittedly pretty stupefied after driving all the way from Michigan, and being frightened and excited all at the same time.

My four years as an undergraduate here, as cheesy as it sounds, shaped the path my life has taken ever since. I came here thinking I was going to be a diplomat; I ended up changing my major to art history, doing research and interning at museums on campus and beyond, and went on to get my PhD in American art history. I participated in a ton of extracurricular activities—I was in a sorority and spent all of my four years on the student committee that runs one of Hopkins’ most beloved traditions, Spring Fair—but I was also an Admissions volunteer. I gave tours (I was an elite backwards-walker if I do say so myself) and interviews. And look where I am now! Most importantly, my very closest friend to this day was one of the first people I met freshmen year (she lived across the hall) and my now husband ambled into my life sophomore year when we met while working on Spring Fair. I am a walking advertisement for Hopkins—the doors it opens, the experiences you’ll have, and the friends you’ll make—and I am so happy to be back!

Bryan, Calvin, and Katie now join John, Sherryl, John, Rachel, Sarah, Dana, Shannon, Chloe, and I on selecting and shaping the Johns Hopkins Class of 2016. Check out our Meet the Staff page for contact information for the admissions staff and our regional breakdown. Also, to learn more about the other members of the counseling staff review past blog entries in our Admissions Staff Profiles category.

Don’t Forget to Enjoy the Ride

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Just the other day, I received a Facebook invitation for my 10-year high school reunion.  At first, I was shocked—I couldn’t believe 10 years had gone by since I walked across the stage in my green cap and gown. As I thought about the four years I spent in high school, I couldn’t remember all of the teachers I had, nor how I did on certain exams or what grades I got on my papers. What I did remember was being sold in the senior auction, going to prom with all of my friends, team spirit days for the athletic teams I played on, and decorating for homecoming. While I certainly learned a lot in the classroom (this is, after all, why we go to school), experiences like these helped to round out my high school years. I really do think that in order to make the most of your senior year, you not only need to do well academically, but also take advantage of everything high school has to offer.

So, since many of you are just beginning your senior year, or are parents watching your son or daughter go off into their last year of high school, I thought it would be fun for our Admissions Counselors to share some words of wisdom on how to make the most of your last year before you head off to college. (These words might also help with your first few weeks of college when the time comes as well!)

Don’t be afraid to take a chance. If there is an activity you’ve always wanted to try, someone you’d like to meet, or a class you’ve always wanted to take, put yourself out there and make it happen. You don’t want to leave high school with any regrets and you just may find a new passion, a best friend, or what you want to study in college.
- Shannon Miller, East Brunswick High School, New Jersey

Admissions_Shannon ready for high school graduation.

Admissions_Shannon ready for her high school prom.

Enjoy it!  The college search process should be fun.  It’s the first time in your life that you get to choose your next home.  Also, typically it’s the first occasion students sit down and reflect on their accomplishments to date.  Be proud.
- Calvin Wise, Calvert Hall, Maryland

My advice to high school seniors is simple: stay involved, stay focused, stay balanced, and continue to engage in your best efforts in your classes. Senior year is an exciting year and one that requires great organizational skills to continue to lead and to contribute in school and community organizations as well as to grow academically.  When you add the commitment to completing college applications and the thought needed to make a final college enrollment choice, your terrific organizational skills will support you in all you do this year. Enjoy the year!
- Sherryl Fletcher, Dearborn High School, Michigan

Congratulations seniors! You made it—well, almost. It may seem like your life is on auto-pilot between meetings, practice, homework, and dinner.  Things are humming along (okay, rushing along like a high speed train).  If you can, take a deep breath and try to spend a few minutes every week with someone who has been supportive of you the past three years. It could be a neighbor, your rabbi—you get the idea. Spending some of your busy time with this person will do two things: first it will let them know how much you appreciate them. Second, it will help your stress level in this occasionally stressful senior year.  These are people who are proud of and support you regardless of your swim time or what colleges you get into. They just want to see you happy.  The extra time will make you both feel better. That, and NEVER pass up tater tots in the lunch room.
- Sarah Godwin, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Vermont

Have fun with your friends!  Make it a priority amidst all the other craziness—including college applications :) They’re the ones who’ll make your senior year memorable. Also, try to avoid taking unfortunate senior pictures (see mine).  Your mom WILL keep them for the rest of your life.
- Katherine Rieder, J.W. Sexton High School, Lansing, Michigan

Follow Katie's advice, avoid "those" senior photos.

Katie ready for her high school graduation.

Keep a camera in your bag to take pictures of your friends, family, favorite haunts, and memorable moments.  Pictures make for great going away presents, freshman dorm wall decorations, and are (almost) as good as mom’s cooking when you miss home.
- Dana Messinger, Calhoun School, New York

Bucket list for senior year of high school:
*go to prom
*attend a home game of each of your school’s teams
*skip school on senior skip day
*take a class just for fun
*apply to college (and get in)
Most importantly: don’t worry about what others think—it’s your thoughts that count!
- John Birney, Strath Haven High School, Pennsylvania

Although you certainly need to keep your grades up in the second semester of your senior year, also take a breath of fresh air. Enjoy the successes you’ve had, especially in terms of college admissions, even if they weren’t exactly what you had envisioned. And, take a risk in asking someone to prom!
- Chloe Rothstein, Trinity School, New York

Senior year of high school is for many the most enjoyable time of their schooling ever, but also tends to be the most stressful. The best advice I can give to the high school Class of 2012 and future college class of 2016 is to maintain balance and cherish each experience. Prepare for each milestone event on the calendar whether it is college application deadlines or senior prom. You will need to balance out the stressful activities such as writing college essays with the fun memories of your last homecoming, your senior trip, and sharing thoughts in your class yearbook. The time will soar by, so document the year by taking lots of photographs or keeping a journal. Make the most of every moment since you only get to be a senior once—well actually, you will be a senior again in four years so just repeat my advice then too.
- Daniel Creasy, Sachem High School, New York

Admissions_Daniel ready for Junior prom.

Admissions_Daniel reflects on graduation.

I hope your senior year of high school starts off well and gets better every day because enjoying all aspects of school (academic and social) will allow you to thrive as an individual.  My advice to you for this year is to use your best judgment and think clearly before making decisions and don’t live your life in regret.  Good luck and don’t forget to have some fun.
- Rachel Cowan Jacobs, Woodrow Wilson High School, Washington DC

Getting to Know the Admissions Committee: Question #10

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QUESTION #10: When on the road recruiting in your region, what are some of your favorite places to visit in your free time?

Sarah: This is the easiest question of all for me. Every year I attend a college fair in Minnesota (hi MISP kids!) and I make sure to build in a little time to go to The Mall of America. It is massive. The fair is in October, which happens to be my birthday month, sooooo….I give myself permission to buy me a *little* birthday present. Traveling on your birthday isn’t fun, except when you buy yourself gifts, then it becomes okay.

Dana: I love Reading Terminal in Philadelphia, the Warhol museum and Strip District in Pittsburgh, and all of the outlet discount stores in Northern Virginia (DSW, Loehmanns, TJMaxx, etc).

Mark: Having domestic and international regions, I do a lot of travel for work, but I do have some favorite spots. Short Hills Mall (NJ), Bent Spoon Ice Cream (NJ), any gas station in NJ (they pump it for me!), any Marks & Spencer (London), Leicester Square (London), Pont-des-Arts (Paris) and any book stores.

Leicester Square, 2009

Sherryl: I love to be outside when I travel in Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio. You might see me stopping at a lakeside view, walking a beach before a high school visit, visiting a local grocery store, chatting and then eating lunch outside, or stopping at an orchard for a snack.

John B.: Because I’m fortunate enough to recruit in New York City, my favorite place to go is a diner named The Flame, located on the corner of 9th and 58th. I suggest trying the turkey club—delicious.

Lester: I handle Montgomery County, Maryland, which abuts the northwest boundary of Washington, D.C. I confess to having stopped at the Montgomery Mall more than once to have my shoes shined at Nordstrom, to shop for clothes for my infant and toddler at Naartjie and Hanna Andersson, and to eat at Chick-fil-A.

Daniel: I have been traveling in New England for 10 years now. I enjoy exploring various restaurants throughout Boston, especially those that focus on seafood. But by far my favorite city to visit is Providence each spring and fall. I lived in Providence for four years and it is always great to go back and revisit Thayer Street, Atwells Avenue, the Cable Car cinema, Hemmenway’s, and Roger Williams Park.

Zak: Regardless of where I am visiting (Oregon and New Orleans come to mind), I always try and visit sites that are unique to those places. For example, when I was in Oregon I visited the headquarters for Nike and when I traveled to New Orleans I spent some time in the French Quarter trying out all of the Cajun style food! Although traveling for 4-6 weeks is tiring, being able to visit locations that are exclusive to the area that I am in always helps to lift my spirits.

Rachel: As a staff member who travels internationally, I am very lucky to find myself most often in Europe, and I always try to fit in a few hours for myself if flight schedules permit. I love walking around London because you can see so much on foot. When I am in Istanbul I try to do something along the water (crossing a bridge doesn’t count, although you could certainly be over the water for a long time that way) and shop. In Greece, I try to visit anything old, which is pretty easy to accomplish. On the domestic side, I enjoy whatever free time I can manage in Miami, be it South Beach, Coconut Grove, or Calle Ocho.

Chloe and the Tecnion mascota in Mexico

Chloe: Restaurants in Scottsdale, Arizona; long scenic drives in Montezuma, New Mexico; and museums in Mexico City, Mexico.

Shannon: (1) San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park. Love this place! (2) Fisherman’s Wharf. Have to have clam chowder in a bread bowl, and I can usually find some fun and funky necklaces around there being sold on the streets (If not, I go to Chinatown). I can also stare at sea lions for hours… (3) In and Out Burger.YUM! (4) The Beach. It is great to read a book outside to relax between school visits and presentations or college fairs…especially when in Hawaii. (5) Outlets. There’s nothing like a good sale on the road..

Amy: In Los Angeles: early morning runs in Brentwood, mid-day strolls through the Getty, and the occasional late night adventure in Hollywood. My drive through sun-drenched Ojai is a yearly pilgrimage I wouldn’t miss, as is the lucky late afternoon I can catch in Culver City, Pasadena’s Old Town, or Santa Monica. In Seattle: walks around Capitol Hill or the Olympic Sculpture Park with Stumptown coffee in hand, Belltown for eats, and Ballard for boutique-hopping. Let me assure you that recruiting IS the focus, much as it might seem otherwise!

Getting to Know the Admissions Committee: Question #9

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QUESTION #9: How can you tell if an applicant is a good fit for Johns Hopkins?

Sarah: Do you love to learn? Can you become very passionate about an academic subject? Are you going to be able to have fun once you get here? Is there evidence from your essays, your teacher recommendations, and your transcript that supports this? If so, you may be a good fit for Hopkins.

Dana: I think of Hopkins students as the work hard, play hard type. Generally speaking, they are strong students, interested in independent learning and exploration, leaders in their community, and involved with a number of extracurricular activities.

When applying to colleges, enthusiasm is key!

Lester: We’ve got a broad spectrum of students here, so rather than looking for certain student profiles, more than anything I think applicants will be a good fit if they are excited about the unique things we offer. Students who are willing to take ownership of their own curricula, who are interested in independent scholarship and research, and who look forward to close interactions with their professors and fellow students will find what they’re looking for here.

Mark: Fit is very personal and there are certain qualities which I look for in either the application or letters of support. I think the big piece is being open-minded to upcoming experiences. Humility also goes a long way.

Getting accepted is only the first step: figuring out where you "fit" best can sometimes be the hardest!

John B.: I ask myself a few simple questions. Do they have the academic abilities to do well in the classroom? Do they desire to learn? And, what will they contribute to campus life? If a student falls short in any of the three (and when they do, it’s typically their lack of contribution), I know they are not a good fit for what we seek.

Amy: There are so many students who would be terrific fits for Johns Hopkins: They’re interested in studying a wide variety of topics from the humanities to engineering; they’re self-propelled learners who engage collaboratively with those around them; they care about the world and they want to do as much good as they can. Education and learning for the sake of learning are important for Johns Hopkins students.

Chloe: If they are intellectually curious, independent, and quirky, and love to have fun.

Rachel: I find a sense of purpose and interest in an applicant who is a good fit for Hopkins. This goes beyond all the quantitative data we have. Even if it’s something as simple as readiness for college (any college) that comes across strongly, that can be enough to know the person would fit well.

Sherryl: I join my admissions colleagues in reading every item within every application to consider the applicant and his or her possible place at Johns Hopkins. It is so very important to consider multiple opinions when making such significant decisions about admission.

Shannon: He or she is passionate about learning and their activities. The student is genuinely interested in moving forward and making a change. As our mission statement says, we want students to learn, develop, and research to “bring the benefits of discovery to the world.”

With JHU's support, many students feel prepared to explore and discover what the world has to offer.

Daniel: For me there are always two terms that I keep in mind when evaluating an applicant as a fit for Hopkins. First is academic enrichment. Students who have gone “above and beyond” the norm with their academics make a smooth transition to an institution like Hopkins where research is key. Second is dedication. Students who know what they are passionate about, whether with academics or with their extracurriculars, and have proven that they actively pursue those interests also make strong Hopkins undergraduates.

Zak: We want students here that are going to be open to new ideas and new perspectives and the application process helps us to figure that out. An applicant who has an open mind about things that he/she has never experienced would be a good fit here. Someone who won’t be scared to take risks and reap the benefits of those rewards. Students that are a good fit for Hopkins have passion and excitement for a certain activity or cause that they are involved with. It doesn’t necessarily mean they need to keep up with those same activities when they arrive to campus, but we want them to be active members of our community. An applicant with a good fit will have that quality above all else.

Getting to Know the Admissions Committee: Question #8

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QUESTION #8: If you could add one question to the application,
what would it be and why?

Shannon: “If you could jump in a time machine and go anywhere, anytime, where would it be and why?” (I would also add a clause that stated: This essay could not begin with “If I had a time machine and could go anywhere, anytime, it would be ___________.” It drives me NUTS when people start their essays like this!)

Dana: I think it would be great if there were more room for creativity in the application. I’ve seen a couple of really interesting essays, but something that required a little outside of the box thinking to answer (either in writing or through a video/robot/picture) might be fun—or it might just drive applicants crazy!

Good questions - why do YOU want to be a Blue Jay?

Zak: I have always been fascinated by an applicant’s mindset about why he or she chose to apply to Hopkins. Students have so many choices in this process and sometimes the differences between schools are very small. I also am curious about why students think they are a good match for us as well. So, my question would be:

“There are nearly 4,000 colleges and universities in the Unites States alone; what has motivated you to apply to Hopkins and why do you think you are a good fit for our university?”

Chloe: Why do you want to be a Blue Jay?

Rachel: You have over 3,000 colleges/universities you could apply to. Why JHU?

Daniel: I am a fan of essays and think we should require more than we do currently. I am also a fan of the extremely creative and seemingly bizarre essay topic. Back when I was applying to college there was an essay that listed 25 different items and asked the writer to produce the opening scene of a television show with at least five of the items representing key roles in the show. Something along those lines that really challenges our applicants to display their creative sides would for me make a great addition to the current line of application materials we receive.

Sherryl: I would add a question about the value of kindness in living a life.

Mark: If I could add one question it would be “If you could add one question to this application, what would it be? Answer it.” My second choice would be “You’ve just found out who your roommate will be as a freshman at JHU. Write an email to them as if it were your first time contacting them.” You can learn a lot about a person in this way.

Figuring out how to live comfortably with your roommate is a big part of freshman year.

Lester: I’d like to see a short essay where you have to describe what you see yourself doing in 20 years and how a Hopkins degree in your choice of major will help you get there. It’s asking a lot for a 17-year-old to pick a major (which is a question on the app) and a career (also on the app). I’d like to know more about the thinking behind those answers.

John B.: I actually don’t want to add a question; I want to add an area for a photograph. I meet so many students, that knowing them all by name is difficult, but remembering faces is easier for me. A photo would allow me to connect an application to the person by seeing who submitted it.

Sarah: My question would be “Who did you list as ‘Parent 1’” on the Common Application and why?” I always find it fascinating who students chose to list first and would love to know why.

Amy: “What is a motto by which you choose to live?”

Getting to Know the Admissions Committee: Question #7

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QUESTION #7: Describe the funniest experience you’ve had during a recruitment event for Johns Hopkins.

Lester: There’s always a lot of laughter at my school visits, but false modesty aside, it’s because I’m a really funny guy. At least, that seems like the most likely explanation (and I’d prefer not to be told otherwise).

Chloe: Once after an information session, I had a fifth grader come up to me with a prepared presentation about why he wanted to attend Johns Hopkins. College searches are starting early these days, I suppose!

Dana: I spend much of the fall traveling to high schools to talk with prospective applicants. Parents are not invited to these events, but one mother waited for me in the high school parking lot. She must have gotten a description of what I was wearing, because she actually blocked my car in and started asking me questions while I was on the phone with my father!

One of our college fair tables, set up and ready for questions!

Shannon: Well, it wasn’t so much an event, but one time I had some serious issues while in California. I was heading from San Diego to San Jose via plane. As I entered the airport, a man spilled his coffee all over the front of my suit. Since I was running late (I was coming straight from an Explore Hopkins presentation), I threw on a pair of black sweat pants and a pink polo t-shirt, checked my bag, and got to my gate. As it turned out, my plane was two hours delayed, so I had to sit and wait for a while. Finally, the plane arrived and I was headed to San Jose. Once there, I went to the baggage claim and guess what…no baggage. So, I went to the ticket counter, filed out a form for it, and jumped on the shuttle to the rental car station. Since I arrived late and had lost luggage, the station had closed. After knocking on the window for about 5 minutes, a very kind man came to the door, let me in and gave me a car. However, they had given my reserved car away, so I ended up with a powder blue Chevy minivan. So, there I was—no luggage, sweatpants, and a pink polo t-shirt, in a powder blue minivan at 12:30am driving to my hotel. I arrived, checked in, and headed to my room. I slipped my electronic key into the door and boom, red light. I tried again, and boom, red light. Then, I went back downstairs, the front desk gave me a new key, I went back upstairs, tried the key again, and boom, red light. So, I head back downstairs, brought the manager back up with me, and he couldn’t open the door. It turns out that the door lock was broken and it was the only room left in the hotel. By 2:30am, the handle was removed, and I was tucked snuggly in my bed without a lock on the door (I needed a place to sleep!) At 6:00am, the alarm sounded, and by 7:30am, I was at Bellarmine College Prep in my black sweatpants, pink polo t-shirt, and powder blue minivan. I may have looked like a soccer mom, but I was an admissions counselor on a mission. Thank goodness for a college counselor there who helped me find my luggage!

Mark: Oh dear—there are SO many that I cannot even begin to share in this venue.

Sherryl: I would probably suggest that having unexpected “guests” running across a stage or floor in the middle of a presentation would make several of my speeches memorable! Sadly, the mice, dog, and deer outside the window did not apply to JHU.

Zak: I was traveling in New Orleans in September about to conduct one of our Explore Hopkins events. The school staff and I were having some trouble getting the PowerPoint presentation to work so I began to welcome people into the building. We finally got the projection screen to show the slide show, but the remote to flip the slides wasn’t working. I realized I would have to stand at a podium (my least favorite thing to do) and went to do one final sweep of the foyer. What I did not realize, was that the remote was in my pants pocket and had started to work. So as I was walking back into the auditorium, I noticed that students and their families were pointing at the screen. What I did not realize was that every time I took a step, the “forward” button was being pressed because the remote was in my pocket. I quickly went to the front of the stage, rewound the slide show, made a quick joke, and started my presentation! It was a great experience and the audience certainly was forgiving, but now I always make sure any electronics are turned off before I put them into my pockets!

John B.: During my first recruitment cycle, I was asked to host an evening event at a trustee’s home in New York City. The trustee took care of all the arrangements—all we had to do was invite the students, which we did. Only one student showed up! The bright side: I did end up with a pianist taking my requests all night. Not funny then, but looking back, I can laugh about it now.

Rachel: The memory I can’t escape from wasn’t fun to me but might have been for the prospective applicants. On the last day of a week-long trip of high school visits and college fairs, I found myself in Lexington, Kentucky, with four schools to visit that day. Upon checking out of the hotel and speaking for the first time that morning, I discovered I had complete laryngitis. The reception desk clerk could not even hear me from across the counter, so how on earth were the students going to hear me at my presentations? I thought about cancelling my visits for the day but felt that would be wrong. So, I went to each school where I was greeted by many students. I don’t know how much they got out of my visit because no noise came out of my mouth even though I was talking, talking, talking. But I will say that these were the quietest visits I’ve ever made. The following year, I received an email from a senior who said she had seen me at her school the previous year—and reminded me that I had laryngitis that day. I guess I’m not the only one who remembered that visit!

Sarah: This past fall, I accidently parked my rental car in front of a hotel and my car was towed. I thought they had valet parking, but apparently, they did not. Oops! It wasn’t funny at the time (I would have SWORN they had valet), but now I think it’s hilarious.

The audience at one of Daniel's Explore Hopkins sessions.

Daniel: My colleagues definitely have much better stories to tell than I do. I often get disappointed that I have never really had anything outrageous occur during my recruitment travels (knock on wood). Then when I think about it, I am pretty happy that my travels have been standard. There are some great stories I could tell about attending national conferences, but I do want to keep my job. I guess the most unique experience I have ever had was during my first recruitment trip for Hopkins in New England. I was attending a week of college fairs that would culminate with the Boston National College Fair. At the start of the week I was not feeling great, but I so rarely get sick that I was not concerned. By the fifth college fair that week I had an incredibly sore throat and was feeling very run down. The morning of the Boston National College Fair I woke up and took it easy. Took a long shower, had a good breakfast and then headed over to the convention center to set up. I was going to see close to 1,000 people over the next two days and three fair sessions so I had a ton of materials to set up. As I was setting up, the representative from Reed College who was my neighbor for the fair came by and said hello. When I opened my mouth to return the greeting I realized I had absolutely no voice. It was the first time that morning that I needed to speak (I don’t sing in the shower) and I couldn’t believe I had absolutely no voice. I knew I was sick but I had never lost my voice. Basically, I went out and bought a stack of notecards and a black sharpie pen. I put up a sign on my table apologizing that I had lost my voice and that I would try to help out as much as possible. I put answers to the most frequently asked questions on the notecards and it worked out–it was pretty embarrassing though. A lot of people came by the table and no one was angry.

Getting to Know the Admissions Committee: Question #6

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QUESTION #6: For you, what makes an applicant stand out?

Zak: Passion and excitement are the first two words that come to mind. Our current students are involved in a variety of different activities and their interests are very diverse. I can say with confidence that each one of them has a passion for something. They take their academics seriously, but they believe in having balance in their lives. I like to think that our current students have a certain energy about them that makes them stand out in a crowd. Any applicant to Hopkins needs to have that same outlook on life. We certainly don’t want the “same” type of people on campus, but we want them to be passionate about something within our community. If an applicant can demonstrate those characteristics, that’s a good start.

Early Decision acceptances...ready for the post office!

John B.: It’s not academic prowess, but rather someone who has the character, personality, and spirit to join a campus community and desire to make a difference through what they do outside the classroom.

Chloe: An honest personal statement, fantastic teacher recommendation letters, activities the student has developed over multiple years, and a stellar transcript.

Mark: Applicants can stand out in many ways.  I think personal essays that are meaningful and thoughtful really make a difference for me. The human experience is something that is very important to our freshman class and students who bring with them unique experiences are the most compelling for me.

Daniel: The vast majority of our applicants have the academic chops to succeed at Hopkins, so often the evaluation comes down to the other application materials. For each applicant it is always something different that stands out to me. It could be a well crafted essay where I can learn more about the individual and his or her beliefs and passions. It could be a recommendation that shows the student is fully engaged in his or her academic pursuits and one who gives back. It could be commitment to an activity that demonstrates true leadership and a desire to go beyond the norm. Why I truly enjoy what I do is that each new application is a new story and a new chance for a student to impress me.

Lester: I’m looking for applicants who are genuine in their interests, both scholarly and extracurricular. We can all spot applicants who are grade grubbers in the classroom and dabblers outside the classroom—that’s not impressive. Give me the applicants who pursue things out of real interest and passion.

Sherryl: A sense of sincerity and integrity in all that applicants present within their application will make any applicant stand out.

Throwback! Having fun on Regular Decision mail day six years ago.

Amy: Students who stand out are able to communicate energetically and honestly about themselves and their goals. Though strong academics are a given, it is the added personality that makes an applicant knowable in this process. Not everyone is witty, not everyone is vivacious; however, each person has a distinct set of characteristics worth sharing in this process. It’s the emergence of those elements that makes an applicant stand out.

Dana: It’s usually the essay—writing a personal essay is challenging but something I would encourage all applicants to spend time on. I read a lot of “safe” essays that blend together, but the students I remember and want to fight for at the end all write essays that give me a glimpse into who they are.

Rachel: Applicants who can answer our essays with depth and in clear language make a big impression on me because it shows they have thought about who they are and what they want the world to know about them at this point in their lives. Applicants will also stand out when there is continuity in their application. In other words, they and their recommendation letters convey the same sense of who these high school students are.

Sarah: If, after I read your application, I feel like I really know you.

Shannon: In my mind, what makes an applicant stand out is one that goes the extra mile. For example, a few years ago I had a student who was a member of NHS at their high school. As I am sure you can imagine, with the quality of our applicant pool, we see a LOT of students involved in this organization. However, what made this girl different was that as a chair of community service, she went above and beyond what was laid out for her. In addition to the usual service projects, she developed a project that worked with a school for homeless children in her local city and helped them to fundraise for their own prom. She even worked with local salons and stores to have hair appointments and dresses donated for the girls who were going to attend.

Getting to Know the Admissions Committee: Question #5

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QUESTION #5: Tell us about a noteworthy applicant from a previous admissions cycle – someone who “WOWED” you!

JHU_Allysa - just one example of the outstanding applicants we get at Hopkins.

Mark: There were some great applicants last year. One of the most impressive is right here—and she can tell you all about herself : http://apply.jhu.edu/studentlife/meet_allysad.html

Sherryl: A “wowed” response was shared by all admissions officers after reading an essay that accompanied a box titled “A Penny For Your Thoughts.” Within the box was a set of pennies that had hand written thoughts attached to them. I read those thoughts often, as the box is still in my office!

Rachel: It takes a very special person to stick out in an admissions officer’s mind years after reading the application. There have been a handful of such people for me in the seven application cycles I’ve gone through at Hopkins. One is a girl from North Carolina who applied Regular Decision. She was a stellar student and citizen of her community, so on that front, it was easy to recommend her for admission. But her extracurricular profile was so extraordinary that not only did I rate her extremely strongly, but I also recommended her for our merit scholarship, which she won. This applicant committed herself to a sport that she must have had unlimited passion for because she had to put in a lot of effort to train and compete in—wait for it—jump rope. This is not exactly a sport you find in your local high school. She followed her passion as a high school student and competed internationally for the US National team. Remarkable! Read more about her successes in this sport on Hopkins Interactive.

Shannon: The first one that always comes to mind is a boy from California who converted his pickup truck into an electric car—clearly an engineer.

John B.: A few years ago, there was an applicant who collected over $1 million in donations for his local community, and he provided the documentation in his application file to prove it. Simply amazing.

Chloe: One of my favorite students, who is a freshman this year, hails from Texas, was an excellent soccer player at home, and continues to succeed here at Hopkins. Her teachers also wrote that she was worked harder than any student they knew and was incredibly warm hearted and spirited.

Lester: We get lots of terrific applicants of all kinds so it’s hard to single out just one. Obviously lots of our applicants have great academic credentials, with really high grades and scores, meaningful research, etc. Equally cool, I think, are our applicants who are top students and also do some unusual things outside the classroom. I’ve seen a nationally ranked equestrian, an engineering applicant who composes piano music, a painter who manages an art gallery—it’s really fun to read those applications.

Dana: One of my favorite essays from last year is in the Essays that Worked section—the applicant was also selected as a Wilson Scholar, and I was overall very impressed with her intellectual curiosity.

Esther and Zoe - Hopkins twins!

Daniel: There are so many I can share, but my first thought went to Esther and Zoe Bell, Class of 2009 Johns Hopkins graduates. Esther and Zoe are identical twins who attended Moses Brown School in Providence, RI. They applied during my first admissions cycle at Hopkins and for so many reasons I still remember reading their files and following their applications through the whole cycle to make sure they were admitted and doing everything I could to make sure both enrolled. I actually met Esther and Zoe for the first time during my last days at a previous job when they came for a visit. Just a few months later I was meeting the twins again during my visit to Moses Brown for a fall high school visit, now as an admissions counselor for Hopkins. I was excited when both applied and, though they were pretty different in their applications, there were countless reasons to admit both of them. When I found out from their college counselor in late April that both were enrolling, I was ecstatic. Esther worked for me during her four years at Hopkins and was one of our first bloggers. She graduated with an international studies degree and is currently working for the State Department in Ethiopia. Zoe also worked in Admissions for a couple of my colleagues and graduated with a Writing Seminars degree. She currently works for the company Zanga, the people behind the Facebook games Farmville and Mob Wars. Oh yeah, their younger sister is currently an undergraduate at Hopkins and their mom, who was already a Hopkins alum, is now getting an advanced degree at our School of Public Health. Memorable to say the least.

Amy: Though there were many—the quiet campus leader and “den mother” to all of her friends, the pilot and the pentathlete—I’ll highlight just one: hailing from Southern California, this young woman was dedicated to the environment (and wrote a delightful essay about her gas-guzzling car, “Sir Charles”), to her high school and local communities, and to her studies. Her commitment to the arts (both theater and dance) was impressive; in fact, she and her sister co-founded a dance program for disabled students in her neighborhood. On top of terrific academic markers, there was a sparkle and verve to her writing; her file was a delight to read!

Sarah: Rather than one student, I thought I’d tell you about a group of students who impressed me. When I first started at Hopkins in 2008, my territory included Louisiana and Mississippi. In 2008, the high school seniors that were applying from Louisiana and Mississippi had started their freshman year in fall 2005, when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. As if starting high school wasn’t already hard enough, these kids had to deal with a whole set of circumstances most people can’t imagine. Three years after the storm hit, I relived the events of that natural disaster through these applicants.  I learned where they were when the storm hit, what they did after the storm (one student found himself working in a hospital with his parents under abject conditions), who they lost, how their lives changed, and, finally, how their academic careers turned out.  Most students had at least two transcripts, one from their “home” school and the other from what they referred to as “my Katrina school” which was typically a school in another state that took them in while their community was being rebuilt. Some students never returned to the Gulf Coast, many did, and I was wowed by the resilience in all of them.

Zak: Considering I have been in the office since July (!), I only have this year’s Early Decision students to refer to. There is one student who I met during his visit to campus and then kept in correspondence with throughout the fall. From this first conversation with him and his family, everything went well and they were very open with their interest in Hopkins. He eventually applied and his application was amazing. He was a leader in his, he had amazing grades, and he was exactly what we were looking for in an applicant. I am looking forward to seeing him on-campus next fall.

Getting to Know the Admissions Committee: Question #4

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QUESTION #4: What is the most unique college essay you’ve ever read? 

Rachel: A few years back, our JHU essay did not mandate that the answer had to be written on paper. I received an essay hand-written on a canoe paddle and another one written on window blinds (window included!). These two are tied for most unique, in part because of what was entailed in mailing them to our office. The person who sent the window was admitted and enrolled, and I saved his essay for him so he could hang it in his dorm room. I hope it’s still there. 

Dana: I think some of the most interesting essays are the ones that aren’t really about the topic. I just read a great one from a congressional page who wrote about being in DC during the passage of the health care bill—or at least that was the framework. In reality, the essay was about political diversity and the value of learning from people with polar political view points. 

Mark and a tall stack of old applications.

Mark: I have read a bunch of unique college essays and some have been very memorable. Some of the topics have been riding the bus, writing about painting murals, and the love of orange juice. Most times it’s not what they write about; it’s HOW they wrote about it. 

Lester: There was one by an applicant who described himself as very friendly and outgoing, then went on to explain that he found his classmates shallow and superficial and how he didn’t really like them. May not have been the best choice for an essay topic. 

Chloe: Last year I read an essay about a student with a genuine curiosity about Latin American culture and a love for writing. She used salient details to elaborate on these two academic interests, her topic of choice. She discussed the coverage of Latin America in main stream American publications and her experience learning “Baile TÍpico,” painting a distinctive picture that left me wanting to know more. 

Sarah: Once, a student told a story of how she helped an elderly woman pack up the clothes of her deceased husband. Not exactly a subject that screams, “hey, neat!” but this student was such a good writer, and the experience so powerful that it made a great college essay. 

Amy: Many of the “most unique” essays that I have read haven’t, in truth, been particularly successful… So often, with these sorts of essays the focus ends up on the metaphor or the quirky anecdote and not on the applicant. I greatly prefer those pieces of writing that strive to be nothing less than just that—a piece of writing with an interesting message and, hopefully, a few well-turned phrases.  

John B.: The first three words of the essay were “F***, F***, F***.” Enough said. 

Daniel: Whenever asked this question in the past I have always shared a very interesting story about “The Mullet” essay I read during my first year in Admissions at a previous job. This time, I will answer by sharing my favorite essay last year’s admissions cycle, which was one of our Essays That Worked selections. The essay “Speak” was special because of the vivid detail the writer used but also because I was able to learn so much more about the applicant in just over 700 words. 

Sherryl: One of my favorite college essays throughout 28 years in college admissions was one I read in 2010. It was short, focused, and poetic and supported a theme of hunting for the perfect Petoskey Stone on a Lake Michigan beach.

Zak: One of our Early Decision students this past year started their essay with two words “I Am:” and continued to give 10 or so bullet points about who they were. It looked a bit weird, but it gave me a snapshot into the student’s life and I felt that I got to know them well. The information that was presented could have been in paragraph form, but I felt that the unique style really made the student stand out much more for me.

Getting to Know the Admissions Committee: Question #3

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QUESTION #3: How do you survive application reading season?

Amy: The tools of the trade include a great deal of caffeine, a variety of tasty treats including but not limited to Swedish Fish, Haribo Gold Bears and dried cherries, and diligence.

Sweet treats are a big hit with our staff!

Dana: I like to work out—if I’m reading from home, I tend to take a midday workout break. It helps me refocus and remain (relatively) stress-free. Plus, the gym is usually less crowded during the day.

Mark: I survive the application season with music!!!

John B.: I’m driven by goals I set for myself. Reaching those reading goals, be it daily or weekly, helps me survive this process. I also “hide” applications from myself so that I don’t get discouraged by the large volume looming ahead.

Lester: Well, I’ve only read apps since last year, and that was just on a part-time basis, so … stay tuned.

Peppermint tea is said to reduce stress and even help people avoid colds.

Sherryl: I find that reading in my office with peppermint tea and lots of Swedish Fish creates a great atmosphere for reading applications.

Chloe: Getting a good night’s sleep is key; going to the gym as much as possible; taking TV breaks; and, remembering that it is almost April when we meet the students we just admitted!

Sarah: I find caffeinated beverages to be important this time of year. Diet Coke, lattes, and black coffee all seem to work.

Rachel: Reading season is a very difficult time of the year because it is extremely intense and time-consuming. It also requires us to make hard decisions. How do I survive this period? First off, I know it won’t last forever (Hello, decision release day!). Secondly, I find much inspiration from many of the applications I read, and that is a wonderful reward.

Shannon: Ice cream with hard shell, pretzels, grapes, pizza rolls, and Criminal Minds. While reading, I like to eat and when I need to take a break (you need to or your brain WILL turn into mush), I turn to watching some TV (Criminal Minds seems to always be on).

Taking breaks is a must: we like relaxing to our favorite TV shows.

Daniel: Ever year I seem to add to my list of little pleasures that help me get through the reading cycle. My beverages of choice have become water or Pepsi. I rarely eat while reading but if so I enjoy SmartFood popcorn or a fruity candy like Starbursts or Skittles. I do always need background noise when reading and that typically ends up being old 80s music videos or concerts that have aired on Palladia that I have TiVoed. Ultimately, though, it is my mid-afternoon 2- 4pm naps when reading from home that enable me to recover from reading from the early morning to lunchtime and provide extra energy to read during the evening too.

Zak: I run…a lot. I am running my second marathon in the beginning of March and I use that free time between reading applications to train! It helps to clear my mind and reflect on the decisions that I have made.