FAQ Friday: What classes should you take?

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Back when some of us Hopkins Insider contributors were young lads and lasses, choosing our high school schedules was simple. We’d call or pass a carefully folded note to our bff (text? E-mail? What are these strange things you speak of? What’s this face book? And get off our lawn!) and see what classes he or she was taking. Then, using our No. 2 pencil, we’d carefully write the same classes down on the appropriate paper and get back to trying to beat our own high score for Snake on our TI-82s.

We realize that the high school experience has changed a little. There’s more focus on college applications and test scores and class selection and, sadly, less attention paid to sneaking your Walkman into class or trying to figure out coded messages on your beeper, which was also snuck into class. This shift has led to this FAQ Friday’s topic: What classes should you take?

This is an easy one. We can’t tell you. Thanks for reading!

What’s that? You want more information? Here’s what we can tell you about your high school course selection:

1. In general, recommended preparation for all students includes four years of each of the following subjects: English, mathematics, foreign language, science with laboratory, and history/social science. It is recommended that students take five core academic courses each year throughout high school, focusing on academic core classes over elective classes. This also applies to questions about dropping an academic class—if you need to do that, you should make sure that you’re replacing an academic class with another academic class rather than an elective.
2. We also recommend that students pursue the most advanced level courses offered at their school. Johns Hopkins University considers AP and IB programs to be the most rigorous available to students, but we don’t have a preference of one program over another. These are only recommendations and not requirements. We have no specific course requirements for applicants. In fact, the application requirements we do have can be found here: http://apply.jhu.edu/apply/deadlines.html.

Seem like generic advice? That’s because every prospective student has an individual record from his or her high school, so it’s not possible for us to suggest specific enrollment options. When you apply, you’re considered as an individual and your regional counselor will be familiar with your high school and all of the options available there, which means the person reading your file will have a better context for reviewing your course selection. The application also gives us a much more complete picture of you. Your extracurricular interests, full high school record, recommendations, and essays will tell us a lot about you and your academic choices. We can’t get that from an e-mail that says, “So should I take physics?”

We can’t tell you whether you should take physics (although if you’re considering applying here, we do have an amazing physics department. Ahem…nobel prize winning faculty…no big deal or anything) but we can give you some advice. First, your college or guidance counselor is a great resource for you as you try to select your classes. He or she should know what academic paths are available at your particular school and the best classes for you to take to stay on track with your goals. Second, you can do a little research on y our own. If you’re interested in a specific program at JHU or any other school, check out the academic catalog and see what kinds of courses are offered in that program. Read up on what topics are covered and what students are learning at a college level. That might help you determine how you can best prepare yourself. After all, you know yourself better than we do, so you know what you still need to learn and what your school offers that might help you with that.

 

So, in short: we’ve given you the bare basics as a suggestion, and now you should go talk with your guidance counselor and then do some research so you can give yourself good advice. For that last part, maybe just don’t give yourself advice out loud. You might scare people.

Now, where did we put that No. 2 pencil? Our NKOTB cassette tape is unwinding and we need the pencil to crank it back in place…

Have a great weekend!

FAQ Friday: The Question of Interviews

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Welcome to another FAQ Friday brought to you by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Are you ready for a super fun, rapid-fire, crazy awesome breakdown of the admissions interview process? Well, are you?? (Pro tip: there is rarely ever never a reason for using multiple punctuation points.) Hold on to your hats—we’re bringing out the numbered list.

1. We offer two kinds of interviews for applicants: on-campus interviews and alumni interviews. On-campus interviews are held here on the JHU Homewood campus and are conducted by current student Admissions Representatives. Off-campus interviews are held in cities around the country and, to much more limited extend, internationally. Visit the websites to learn more about each.
   

   Did you know that Admissions_Laurin used to be an Admissions Representative? And now she's a fancy lady with her own desk and post-it notes!

2. The most important things you need to know about interviews at Johns Hopkins (sub-numbered list, coming at ya!):
   1. Most importantly, interviews at JHU are optional. This means that if you’re not able to schedule an interview, or maybe you just don’t feel like it, your application will NOT be negatively impacted. Just because other schools required interviews, or your best friend did an interview, or you have some really bizarre interest in being interviewed by a stranger, none of that means that you have to have an interview here; you should be requesting an interview because you feel it will really benefit you. If you do have an interview, it’s included in your application file and considered along with the rest of your materials. If you don’t/can’t/choose not to, it’s not a strike against you.
   2. Our interviews are informative rather than evaluative. You should look at admissions interviews here as your chance to learn more about the university and ask your interviewer any and all questions you might have about Johns Hopkins.
   3. How does one sign up for an interview, you ask? Why, online, of course! For both types of interviews, we only accept online requests.
   4. Because we have a limited number of interview spots and alumni interviewers, we can’t always guarantee availability. In general, students can request on-campus interviews from February of their junior year until February of their senior year; for seniors, alumni interviews can be requested beginning in mid-October and running through the end of January.
   5. What if the interview slots are all full? Don’t worry about it. See above—availability is limited and spots do tend to fill up fast. Right now, at this moment, we do not currently have any on-campus interview spots left. If this happens, and you really, really, really, like, more than you wanted that cat when you were seven, want an interview, you can keep checking back. The website is updated in real time so if someone cancels, you’ll see a spot open up online. There isn’t a wait list for interviews, so they are a first-come, first-served kind of deal.
   6. What if you’ve requested an alumni interview and haven’t heard back? If you are an Early Decision applicant, you should allow up to three weeks from your request to hear back (also, the opportunity for Early decision students to request interviews has now closed.) If you’ve recently made an alumni interview request, e-mail nasc@jhu.eduand they can fill you in on the status. For Regular Decision applicants, the scheduling process will begin on November 26 so you should hear back soon. In any case, please don’t request an interview multiple times—it just slows the whole process down.
      

      What should you wear to your interview: wedding dress or bathrobe? There has to be a happy medium in there somewhere.

   7.  What should you wear? What will you talk about? Should you fake a British accent (or, if you already have a cool accent, try to talk like a robot?) Let’s address that last one first: No. Please….no. For the others, here’s a great blog to give you an idea of what an on-campus interview is like: http://blogs.hopkins-interactive.com/blog/2010/11/the-johns-hopkins-on-campus-interview/. You can expect something similar for alumni interviews, as well.
   8.   Already did the hard part and got an interview scheduled? Then relax. You might even enjoy talking to the Admissions Representative or alumni interviewer who conducts your interview. Hopefully, you’ll leave the meeting with a better understanding of what makes JHU such a great place and your interviewer will be excited about the possibility of having you as part of the Johns Hopkins community.

Hope this is helpful. Now get back to work perfecting that robot voice, just in case you ever need it.

In Their Own Words: Counselors on the Application Process

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Hello from Mason Hall! I hope those of you affected by Superstorm Sandy are recovering and finding relief. With the Early Decision deadline behind us (unless you were impacted by the storm, in which case you have until Tuesday, Nov. 6th to submit your application) and the Regular Decision deadline swiftly approaching, we Insiders thought it would be fun to gather some advice and reflections on the application process from our counseling staff. Read on to learn what Shannon Miller, Katie Rieder, and John Birney do when they need a break from work, what grabs their attention in an application, and what they wish they had known when they were in your shoes.

1) What really piques your interest when you’re reading a file? What gets you most excited about a student?

Shannon Miller: The part of the application that piques my interest the most is definitely the essay. This is the part of the application where I feel like I REALLY get to know the student who I have been reading about in all of the other pieces. It is where I get to hear his/her voice and imagine him/her on our campus. I know the student is a fit for us when after reading the essay I can see them in one of our classrooms, imagine them as a great roommate, or picture them giving back to our community.

Katie Rieder: Students that are passionate, and that passion is palpable in their application. It doesn’t matter what the student is passionate about – it could be jump roping, building robots, or being in beauty pageants. But if I find myself wanting to know more because the student is so excited about it, that’s a very good thing.

John Birney: While academic achievements should be applauded, I’m really excited when I read students who are committed to being involved in various activities, and taking on leadership roles within them. Student-life is such a large part of what makes a school and its campus special, I do try to find students who will continue to make a positive impact on our campus by enhancing the various activities that excite them.

 2) If you could talk to your 17 year old self now, what is the one piece of advice you would give yourself about applying to college?

SM: Start earlier – I was a parent’s worst nightmare. I didn’t visit colleges until after I knew where I was admitted, and then we did a whirlwind tour of 7 colleges in 3 days. When it came to the application, I was THAT student submitting everything the night before the deadline. Now, don’t get me wrong, I LOVED my college experience (and definitely wouldn’t have changed it!), but the whole process would have been a lot easier and a lot less stressful if I had put a little more effort into it. I am NOT saying that you should be starting the college hunt in 7^th grade, or that you need to have your final list by 9^th. What I am saying is that during your junior year, you should start thinking about what you like, and how schools can match those interests, both inside and outside the classroom. Maybe, visit a few local schools – one large, one medium, and one small sized – to see where you feel comfortable. Then you can branch out further during the spring and summer, so when you go into your senior year, you have a solid list of where you want to apply. This will also allow you to focus on the application a bit earlier…maybe get some ideas rolling for that essay before the school year even starts. We all know that the fall of your senior year can be a bit crazy, so if some of the basic application stuff is already done, you can enjoy it a little more!

KR: Breathe.  It will work out.  And look forward to buying all new clothes. People dress very differently for college on the East Coast vs. the Midwest, where I grew up. That part of freshmen year was really fun.

JB: So much has changed since the days I applied to college! I would encourage myself to ask a lot of questions about what I really desire in a college experience, and then apply that to the vast amount of research that is available now, that wasn’t available then. Once I figured out my college choices, I would seriously consider applying Early Decision to my first choice school.

3) You’ve been reading applications for eight hours straight and you have one hour of “me time.” What do you do?

SM: It all depends on how I am feeling. Sometimes I will curl up on the couch and watch one of my favorite TV shows, sometimes I will go for a run, sometimes I’ll meet my friends for dinner, and sometimes I’ll go shopping. The one thing I do know about my “me time” is that I will definitely NOT be sitting by the computer…I need that time to give my eyes a break after all the reading I have been doing!

KR: Return all the clothes that I didn’t like/didn’t fit that I bought during an online shopping spree, which occurred while reading for 8 hours straight the week before. I obviously have a deep-seated shopping issue (see my answer to #2). I’d probably also make a nice dinner.

JB: Watch a Hopkins sporting event. It’s great to watch our competitive teams consistently win over our conference rivals – all while suppressing the memory that there are still more applications to read!

 4) Choose one of the Common App essay topics. Write the first four sentences of your response to this topic.

SM: “Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.”

I overheard my mom talking to my dad – “the washing machine is clogged AGAIN…this time, with pizza crust. I just got all of the noodles out yesterday!” My sister, Catie, sat in the hallway crying, not knowing any English, and definitely not understanding why my mom was so frustrated. Of course, Catie put her leftovers from dinner in her pockets. Where else was she supposed to hide them?

JB: “Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.”

I’m not someone who cries. That’s not to say that I never have, or never will again, it’s just that shedding a tear isn’t on my daily list of things-to-do. At the birth of my first son Jack, I cried (more like a sob).  When my second son Carter was born, there I was weeping again. I cried when I presented my sister at her wedding; I even shed a tear at the when I hear the “Christmas Shoes” song. I’m learning that crying is really not all that bad, and recently, I cried at work.

See? Counselors are human too. They take shopping  and sports breaks, have things they would change about their college processes, and have interesting stories to share!

Best of luck as you complete your applications, and check back soon for more exciting news from Homewood!

 

 

 

The Write Stuff: Essay Strategies That Work

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I once had a parent ask me if I actually read all of the essays from each applicant. With a serious face, I said “No, I like to throw the application in the air and only read the page that lands on top.” Her mouth dropped. I told her I was kidding. OF COURSE WE READ YOUR ESSAYS!!

The reality is, not only do we read every word of your application essay and short answer responses, but chances are strong that it is something your wrote that is going to make your application memorable. When I think back about my favorite students from last year, I don’t remember them because they had a 3.8/1520, their recommenders called them “enthusiastic” saying they “always went above and beyond,” or they were the president of their club or organization. I remember them because of what they wrote.

In my opinion, the essay is the one piece of the application where we get to hear YOUR voice, and, in all honesty, the one thing you have control at the time you are applying. You can’t go back and change your grades or add activities to your list, there is no time to retake the SAT or ACT, and you can’t dictate your letters of recommendation to your counselor and teachers. So, how do you make your application your own? The answer is simple: Take advantage of the essays!

Here are 3 tips to think about as you begin your essay:

1. Be yourself. The point of this essay is for the reader to get at the heart of who you are. It’s important to be personal. Don’t be afraid to write how you speak…we want you to tell us your story. When reading your essay, I am asking myself questions like “would this student be a good roommate?” or “what type of friend would this person be?
2. Catch the reader’s attention with your introduction. We read thousands of essays each year, so make your first sentences count. You should not be opening with a line that is a direct repeat of the question prompt.
3. Tell us how you fit. While you do not need to directly state what you would do at a particular college or university, remember that we are looking for students who are going to give back both inside and outside the classroom. What are your interests and how would they impact our school?

Still stuck? Need a kick start? Take a look at our Essays that Worked page! Each year, we select essays from our currently enrolled freshman to share with you. Best of all, the admissions counselor who read the essay shares a brief comment on why the essay “worked.” Maybe one of these will inspire you to start writing.

And, speaking of beginning the process, we recently released our Johns Hopkins Supplement. Our short answer question are the same as last year, but in case you want to get a start, here are the topics:

1. Johns Hopkins offers 50 majors across the schools of Arts & Sciences and Engineering. On this application, we ask you to identify one or two that you might like to pursue here. Why did you choose the way you did? If you are undecided, why didn’t you choose? (If any past courses or academic experiences influenced your decision, you may include them in your essay.

2. Tell us something about yourself or your interests that we wouldn’t learn by looking at the rest of your application materials. (While you should still pay attention to sentence structure and grammar, your response is meant as a way for us to get to know you, rather than a formal essay.)

So, remember, be personal, be creative, and be original. We can’t wait to read your essays and see what you’ve come up with!

Back to School Advice

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Earlier this week my niece Lilly started first grade. This got me thinking about the joys of back to school days: picking out the perfect outfit, packing an extremely organized and clean new backpack, meeting your new teacher and all your new classmates, and the excitement to find out what topics you would learn in the coming year. I must admit that I am pretty jealous of my niece right now, and yes I am a big nerd. Seeing pictures of Lilly’s first day of school also reminded me that on back to school days my Mom would always pack a special little note with my lunch and it would include a small piece of advice. So as students all across the world begin to return to school, I thought I would share a piece of advice especially to those beginning their senior year in high school and to those beginning their freshman year in college.

My advice is simple–engage with your educators, or even more simply, speak with adults. I will expand on this nugget of advice in a second but first I thought it helpful to provide context for why I feel this suggestion is important. Having been in the profession of higher education for 15+ years I have been an active witness to the fluctuations in the attitudes and behaviors of young adults as it relates to their final years in high school, their college search and application process, and their adjustment to their undergraduate studies. One of the concerns I have for the current generation is the sources of information they are turning to for educational advice. In my opinion, this generation places way too much weight on advice coming from online sources, anonymous commenters, and social media sources. As well, I often cringe when I hear that a student is making decisions because of what their friends suggested rather than their parents and/or their teachers. I wonder if the “if your friends decided to jump off a bridge” phrase is used more often these days. I am not de-valuing these sources completely, but back when I was young my friends and I placed more value on the educational advice coming from the adults we regularly came in contact with. It surprises me how often I am now debating with prospective applicants our admissions policies or recommendations and the counter-argument starts with, “Well my friend said …” (If you are curious into delving more into this theory of mine, go back and read my “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of College Confidential” blog post.) Enough of my mini-rant … on to the advice.

For those of you about to head into your final year of high school and are knee-deep in the college application process, my advice to speak more with adults and your educators is crucial. Just think about it. For a significant portion of your college applications you need to rely on adults. You need teacher recommendations. You need a guidance counselor recommendation. You may choose to send in an additional recommendation from a coach, employer, extracurricular advisor, or some other adult advisor. You need to work with the staff of your Guidance/College Counseling office to have your transcripts submitted. And of course you need to work closely with your parents for a multitude of reasons. Adults will matter greatly in your college applications.

But you need to engage with these adults and educators not just to get your applications done, but also because they can provide excellent assistance in navigating the sometimes confusing waters of the college search and selection process. Your teachers, counselor, and school administrators are quite experienced and have a wealth of knowledge to dispense. They have worked with thousands of students in the past and can pull from those experiences to help answer your questions and guide you in the right direction. In my years reviewing recommendations, it has become quite clear to me which students a teacher knows well and has been able to mentor, and a teacher that has just been limited to teaching and grading a student. Though I think this a pretty obvious conclusion, I will still state that I prefer the recommendations where a student has engaged with their teacher beyond just the day-to-day lesson and exam. Grades matter in the college search process, but so do relationships. We are not just looking for the smart kids, but those that will contribute and connect with our community.

My advice of engaging with your adult educators also applies to recent high school graduates about to start their college experience. The next four years are going to fly by and I hope you don’t make the same mistake I made in during my undergraduate years. My thought process in college was that I had all the answers and I didn’t need any guidance. Therefore I barely met with an advisor, I never visited the Career Center, and I never inquired about professor office hours until my senior year. When my stress level increased I never visited the Counseling Center, and when I got sick instead of visiting Health and Wellness I listened to the advice of my next-door neighbor, an Egyptology major. In retrospect I missed out on one of the greatest opportunities available to college students; access to a community of advisors, educators, and professionals whose professional goals are to mentor, engage, and connect with the youthful exuberance of students between 18-22 years of age.

So my advice to the new freshmen out there is to make sure to not miss out on this opportunity. Visit with your advisor not just to get answers to your questions but to seek out new avenues for your academic pursuits. Go to professors’ office hours, again not just to ask questions about class material but to get to know these educators and allow them to get to know you. You will be amazed at the doors that will open to you by connecting with these adults. And don’t stop there. Consider your experiential learning options by visiting the Career Center, meet with research advisors, and speak with the staff of the Study Abroad office. Beyond academics be aware that you have support from the Office of the Dean of Student Life, from the Counseling Center, from the Interfaith Council, and from the Health Center. The support network is there to help in times of need, but also to help you navigate all the decisions you will face over the next four years.

As I end, I feel it is necessary to share with you my ulterior motive in dispensing this advice. I have spent my entire adult professional life working in education and though I didn’t enter the field of college admissions initially to engage and mentor students, those opportunities have become the true reason why I love what I do. I guarantee that my colleagues in admissions, in advising, in student life, and all the other offices that make up an institution of higher learning would agree with me that the ability to guide and advise the youth of today is one of the best parts of our jobs. I have had the distinct opportunity to celebrate the successes of the students I know while also console them in their times of need. I jokingly say that I live vicariously through the students I know well, but in there is actually a lot of truth in that attitude. Though I may just be a “gatekeeper” in the world of admissions, I have embraced every chance that I get to mentor and advise students and the greatest professional memories I have are always experiences linked to students. Way back when someone said I would be a good college admissions counselor because I was so comfortable talking to large groups of people and I had an interesting college experience to share. Back then though I never would have imagined that 15 years later I would have a career in higher education and the best part of that career would be the chances to interact and support students in a variety of academic and social ways.

So as you prepare to go back to school I hope you heed my advice. And oh yeah, don’t forget the cardinal rule of always sending a thank you note. Us adults like them a lot.

A Post for the Denied Applicant (2012)

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Now that the dust has settled after the release of Regular Decision notifications this past Thursday, I know that many of our applicants did not receive the news they were hoping for. Every year I hesitate whether I should post a specific entry for denied applicants. I assume that after a student receives a deny decision from Johns Hopkins that they would not choose to return to the blog. I also feel that my comments will not be welcomed by a student after receiving negative news from the University. Lastly, I fear that my words will fail me in expressing the compassion I and my colleagues feel for the students were are unable to admit.

However, I have been surprised to find out over the last few years that many who read my post for denied applicants actually appreciate it. Every year that I have been part of the Admissions Committee at Johns Hopkins University, rendering final decisions has become more difficult. You all know from the media this week that acceptance rates at the most selective colleges are dropping significantly as applicants pools continue to grow rapidly. And this is true at Hopkins this year too as we witnessed the largest applicant pool in our history (20,496) and our lowest acceptance rate (17.7%) ever. No matter what you may think at this time, admissions counselors loathe the process of denying applicants. We all universally agree this is the hardest part of our jobs.

Every year my colleagues and I are faced with the daunting task of selecting very few students from a truly outstanding pool of applicants. As I have written many times before, each applicant is considered thoroughly and holistically by a team of highly committed professionals. Unfortunately, the number of applicants far exceeds the number of positions we can offer (our freshman class will be just 1275 students this year). Selecting students is never an easy process and I know my colleagues join me in saying that we sincerely understand your frustration and anger and respect your disappointment when hearing the unfavorable news.

Many deal with being denied by trying to determine where they fell short. They ask questions about what were they missing or what they did wrong. As I complete my 13th year in college admissions, I can attest to the fact that there is never just one reason that leads to our decisions. When reviewing a student’s application, we take into consideration a vast array of factors including academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, leadership, commitment to community, and promise of future contribution.

It is said often, and it is quite true, that the college admission review process is about fit. Our applicant pool is filled with extremely qualified applicants, but unfortunately being qualified is not the only consideration. Our freshman class is quite small and we are unable to admit everyone that is capable of doing the work. Please do not receive this news as a judgment of your value and your ability, but rather understand the competitive nature of applying to a highly selective institution like Johns Hopkins.

Others will deal with being denied by expressing anger, and levying accusations based on tons of speculation. The days after the release of decision are some of the hardest for me as I tend to take the brunt of many of the attacks, being that my online “Admissions_Daniel” presence is an easy and accessible target. I understand where these accusations of unfairness stem from, but I am also aware of how much time, effort, and passion my colleagues put in the admissions selection process. I could defend vigorously and respond back aggressively at every negative comment but there is no value in that. Venting is pretty much human nature when receiving unfavorable news, and though some will take it too far, I choose to remain above the fray and allow people to deal with the news as they deem appropriate.

I was rejected from my first and second choice schools when I applied to college. I was angry, I vented, and I felt that all my hard work was wasted. But then with the support of my friends and family, I realized I had wonderful other options to choose from. And once I made my selection from the schools that admitted me I forgot all about my “love” for the other schools. I committed myself completely to my new college and never looked back. Even today, after realizing I made the wrong choice in the college I attended (no I am not a JHU alum), I do not look back and wonder “what if.” I made the best of every day of my collegiate experience and still cherish all the memories, even though I did not attend my first choice school.

My advice for now is to forget about Johns Hopkins and any other schools that may not have admitted you for your undergraduate years. Know that there is a college that is going to be uniquely enriched by your presence on their campus and that you will have an amazing undergraduate experience. If there is one thing I have learned over the years, the right college for you is the one that you select to attend and the one you commit yourself to fully.

It is with the deepest sincerity that I wish you the best in your future endeavors.

Answers to a few frequently asked questions:

Can I appeal my decision?
Johns Hopkins University does not accept appeals of our decisions nor will we re-evaluate applications with new information. Our decisions are final and are based on the information provided to the Admissions Committee at the time of decision.

Can I find out why I was denied?
While we as a committee do not address specific components of a student’s admission decision, we always note that each year we have an outstanding pool of applicants and there are more qualified applicants than we can admit. It is our practice though not to discuss the factors that go into our final decisions nor provide students with a detailed analysis of their specific application evaluation.

Can I apply again and when?
Yes you may apply again, but must wait for our next admissions cycle which will be the fall 2013 term. We would strongly encourage you to enroll at another university, and if after two semesters you still feel that Hopkins is the right place for you, you may apply for transfer admission. Transfer admissions information can be found here: http://apply.jhu.edu/faqs/transfer.html.

 

Should You Apply Early Decision?

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This time of year one of the more frequently asked questions we receive is about the advantages and disadvantages of applying Early Decision to Johns Hopkins University. As high school seniors get used to their schedules and begin to balance their time between classes, activities, and college applications, the question looms about whether to apply early to any colleges on “the list.” With the November 1 deadline under a month and a half away, I thought I would provide some resources that may be helpful in making the “to ED or not to ED” question a bit easier.

The first place I encourage you to turn to is a blog entry we posted last fall composed by Dean of Admissions John Latting: Early Decision: the Pros and Cons. Dean Latting provides a detailed look at why one might want to apply Early Decision, as well as the questions one should ask prior to make such a decision. You can also find a full list of FAQs about applying Early Decision to Johns Hopkins here: http://apply.jhu.edu/apply/faq_early.html.

Back in November of 2006 (wow, nearly five years ago!), I posted a blog entry about my thoughts on Early Decision: To ED or not to ED. Though times have changed, and our applicant pool has grown significantly and acceptance rates have fallen, many of my thoughts back then still apply today in making the decision about committing to our Early Decision program. Here are just a few of my thoughts, in a nice bullet-form fashion:

• If Hopkins if your definitive first choice, then Early Decision is definitely for you.
• If your main reasons for applying ED are tactical (i.e. you believe there to be a competitive advantage) you may want to reconsider your approach.
• Applying ED should be about FIT, and not about one’s chances for admission.
• The benefits of applying ED are being reviewed in a smaller pool of applicants, and showing interest.
• ED is binding. We do not offer any non-binding early plans.
• Financial Aid will not be limited if you apply ED.
• We do not fill our class with ED students, so Regular Decision applicants have the same chances for admission.
• Finally, one important thing to keep in mind is that the Early Decision Plan at Johns Hopkins is binding. If you decide to apply Early Decision, you wouldn’t be able to apply to any other binding early plans, and you’d be required to withdraw applications to any other schools if you’re admitted to Johns Hopkins. Basically, if admitted you will only be able to review an offer of admission from one school.

This year I decided to add to this discussion about advice in determining whether Early Decision is the right choice, but providing you all with some thoughts from students. I asked a number of students I knew well to discuss why applying ED to Johns Hopkins was the right decision for them. Hopefully their comments will help as you make the decision whether to apply by November 1 and sign the ED contract, or hold off and apply by January 1 as an RD applicant.

Mandy Stein – Class of 2011 graduate (now currently a first-year law student at Washington University)
Major: Public Health Studies
Hometown: Cary, North Carolina

I applied Early Decision because I knew Hopkins was a great fit for me and that it was exactly where I wanted to spend the next four years. Applying under a binding contract was a little bit intimidating at first; the idea of giving up any hypothetical offers from other universities seemed scary. But after visiting the campus, and with the support of my family, I knew that I was ready to commit to Hopkins if they were willing to take me. The best part about applying Early Decision was that I knew in December where I’d be going to college – it made for a nice Christmas present and a great way to keep up the motivation during my senior year!

Trisha Lala – Sophomore
Major: Neuroscience
Hometown: Lower Gwynedd, Pennsylvania

Applying Early Decision is a difficult decision to make because, in my opinion, a student has to be so committed to their ED school that it would be their absolute first choice no matter what. After visiting Hopkins, talking to some of the members of the very open and welcoming student body, and learning about some of their programs, I knew it was the place for me. I think I was one of the few fortunate people who can honestly say that I felt that I belonged at Hopkins. I could imagine myself there, and thought it was logical to apply ED. Now I know that applying ED was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Kevin Cryan – Freshman
Majors: Political Science and French Cultural Studies
Hometown: Southport, Connecticut

I knew that I wanted to apply Early Decision to Hopkins once I realized both that this was the school I used as the metric to judge all other colleges by, and that all other colleges came up wanting. I would visit other colleges and immediately judge them in a “hmm, they don’t have as nice a campus /open a curriculum/rigorous academics /comfortable an atmosphere as Hopkins…” fashion. Once I visited a few more colleges and came to this realization, the choice became pretty clear.

Becca Krishnan-Ayer – Junior
Major: History of Art
Hometown: Houston, Texas

I visited Hopkins in the fall of my senior year, frustrated after countless mediocre college visits during my junior year. Something about my college visit to Hopkins clicked with me – the campus, the students I met, even the coffee shop in Levering Hall. I felt like I could really envision myself as a Hopkins student, studying at MSE library, passing through the breezeway en route to class, eating at the FFC, lounging on the water-less “Beach” on Charles Street. My decision to apply to Early Decision extended far beyond my campus visit, however. Throughout my college search, I continually kept coming back to schools that were prestigious, mid-sized institutions, located in or proximal to a large city, offering abundant resources in terms of research and extracurriculars. I wasn’t one of the students that knew exactly what I wanted to study or pursue career-wise (in fact, I had no clue) and so I also was looking for a school that had strong academics in a range of departments (arts, sciences, engineering). Hopkins fit the bill on all accounts. The students seemed just like me—motivated and hard-working academically, but social and multifaceted in their interests. Hopkins was the only university that offered everything I was seeking out of my college education—strong academics, extracurricular and research opportunities, renowned professors, a diverse student body, an international reputation, Greek life, athletics, and a convenient location. I applied ED because I wanted admissions to know that Hopkins was my number one choice out of all the colleges I was planning on applying to, and I knew that if I was accepted, I would be absolutely thrilled to enroll and attend.

Allysa Dittmar – Sophomore
Majors: International Studies and Global Environmental Change and Sustainability
Hometown: Cream Ridge, New Jersey

Hopkins was the first school I visited because it was close to home and it was at the very top of my list. I remember my visit vividly—I was absolutely taken aback by the beautiful campus. Visiting reaffirmed my belief that Hopkins was the one. I visited many colleges and ended up with ten schools on my list, with Hopkins at the top. After each visit, I still wanted to go to JHU. I did my applications with Hopkins’ Early Decision application on top of the pile. December 15th was truly one of the best days in my life. While my other friends were still filling out applications or trying to figure out where they wanted to attend, I was exploring Hopkins’ websites, majors, and visiting the campus and my Hopkins friends. In the end, I always tell others that I picked Hopkins because it fit me. I felt at home. I felt like I could thrive at Hopkins—achieve my goals, succeed, and be happy.

Nick Ginsberg – Sophomore
Majors: Computer Science and Economics
Hometown: Woodbridge, Connecticut

Early was the right decision for me because it gave me the ability to be secure in my future education and to know that where I was going was my number one choice long before many of my peers heard back.  For months, I was able to get excited about coming to Hopkins as others awaited the ever unsure letters back from their schools.  Not only that, but from the moment I came to Hopkins I knew it was the right place for me and by applying early I secured a spot in the class of 2014 as soon as possible.  It was one of the best decisions of my life, and had I not done it, who knows what would have ended up happening.

So: Is Early Decision right for you?

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

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

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

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

See You on the Road

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It is hard to believe that the end of summer is right around the corner! As I walked through Charles Village a few days ago, I noticed students were moving back into their apartments and residential advisers (RAs) back into the dorms. I said goodbye to one of my student workers and tour guides, Jessie Koljonen, as she hopped a flight from Dulles Airport to Madrid, Spain, where she will be spending the next four months studying abroad. Starting tomorrow, freshmen will begin to move in, orientation will commence, and then next thing we know, the first day of classes will be upon us.

While all the hustle and bustle is just beginning on our campus, it is also beginning for many high school students. With a new academic year kicking off, they are starting classes, joining clubs, playing sports, volunteering in the community, and doing much, much more. On top of all of this, many juniors and seniors also have the college search process on their mind.

As an admissions counselor, I am about to embark on six weeks of travel, where I will be visiting nine different countries in Latin America followed by both northern and southern California. My colleagues will also be making stops throughout the United States, and internationally, as they conduct high school visits, attend college fairs, participate in Group Travel, and present at Explore Hopkins presentations. To make the most of our visits to your area, here are some tips for when you meet a Johns Hopkins Admissions Counselor on the road:

-          Do some background research on the university. Many times when on the road, we only get to meet a student for a few minutes. During this time, you do not want to be asking questions like, “how many undergraduates do you have?” or “do you have an art history major?” Questions like these can easily be answered by doing a little investigating on our website or looking over our brochure.

-          Don’t be vague. One of my pet peeves is when I meet someone on the road and they ask, “can you tell me about your school?” I can probably talk for hours about Johns Hopkins, and I think it is safe to say the other admissions counselors here can do the same. What exactly do you want to know about? That being said…

-          Ask specific questions. Think about activities you are interested in pursuing, things you want from the city where you’ll be living as an undergraduate, majors you want to know about, or research opportunities. If we cannot answer them directly (we don’t know EVERYTHING there is to know about Johns Hopkins), then we can definitely direct you to a professor, student, or staff member who can help.

-           Be open-minded. There are lots of stereotypes out there for different schools. For example, when I meet people on the road, they think our most popular major is pre-med (in reality, there is pretty much a tie between international relations and public health). Truth be told, we don’t even have a pre-med major, but many students “count us out” because they have heard this. If you take a look at a school that you don’t think is for you, do a bit more investigating and you just may find it is actually a great fit!

-          Listen to all questions being asked. Even if it is not your question, you may learn something totally new that is really interesting to you or appeals to something you are looking for in a college or university. This also helps with repetition … since our time with you is limited, we’d like to answer different questions, not the same one because someone was not listening!

I hope these little pieces of advice are helpful as you meet counselors from Johns Hopkins. We’ll see you on the road!

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of College Confidential

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Posted by Admissions_Daniel

On December 29, 2005, I took on a new job responsibility. It was not something assigned to me by my boss or anything official, but it was something I added to my daily tasks and considered important. On March 31, 2010, I made the decision to remove this task as a regular responsibility. I decided to take a break and re-consider whether taking on this task was the right thing to do. In the past nine months, I have thought long and hard about this decision. I have discussed it with my colleagues, discussed it with friends who are admissions counselors at other universities or guidance/college counselors, and brainstormed ideas with my Hopkins Interactive students. I have also kept a notebook of my ever-changing thoughts as I knew I would ultimately turn this into a blog entry.

If you haven’t guessed yet (the title of this entry pretty much gives it away), the task I am talking about is responding to posts on the “leading college-bound community on the Web”: College Confidential. I first learned about the existence and growing popularity of College Confidential in the summer of 2005 when a student intern in the Admissions Office mentioned she had received a phone call from a prospective student quoting information about our standardized test policy from this site. The information was incorrect. Since it was the summer, I had some free time on my hands and, with the help of a few student workers, began to explore the information posted about Johns Hopkins throughout the site and especially the discussions forums. To say I was stunned would be a gross understatement of my reaction. The amount of misinformation throughout the Johns Hopkins forums regarding admissions policies was stunning. Ever more disappointing was the myths about undergraduate life and academics at Johns Hopkins that were left unaddressed and led visitors to the site to just assume that these myths were truths. And oh yeah, no one was correcting the people who asked questions about JOHN HOPKINS.

Back then College Confidential was not nearly as popular as it is today, but it was clear to me that with the burgeoning role that social media was beginning to play in all forms of information gathering, that this was something that could become popular. At this same time, I was working with my students and colleagues to launch the Hopkins Insider admissions blog and Hopkins Interactive Web site, so social media outreach was on my mind on a daily basis. After the launch of my admissions blog and the Hopkins Interactive site, I made the decision to contact the officials behind College Confidential and request an official “College Rep” account. 2,459 posts and five plus years later, things are quite different. 

Hello, AdmissionsDaniel, it appears that you have not posted on our forums in several weeks, why not take a few moments to ask a question, help solve another member’s problem, or just join a conversation?

Since March of last year, whenever I visit the Johns Hopkins University discussion forums on College Confidential I am greeted with the above message. And I have to ask myself the question, why am I not taking a few moments to contribute? One can assume that the reason I stopped posting on College Confidential was that I thought the site was not that popular and not many students were using its resources. That would be an incorrect assumption. One could assume that I didn’t feel my presence as an official college rep on the site was appreciated by the people using the site. Once again that would be incorrect. Others familiar with my posting on the site may assume I took this hiatus because I was tired of being attacked by certain other posters on the site. Once again that is not the reason for my decision. So why did I choose to take this break from posting on College Confidential?

At first it was going to be a short break, one that I would take from the site after the release of Regular Decision notifications. As my last post stated:

And finally, just so you know I will be taking a break from College Confidential for the next week or so. Why? I actually purposefully take a hiatus from CC every year. In my many years in this field, and specifically during my time interacting with online admissions communities, I make it a point to remove myself after the release of admissions decisions. This does not mean I am not reachable, in fact I will spend the next week answering tons of questions. If you want answers, then use the systems that we have created for you to get answers:Hopkins Forums
Hopkins Insider Blog: Hopkins Insider

The Hopkins Forums:

I am available, I am just focusing my time on the forms of communication linked directly to Hopkins.

But then in mid-April, the usual time I would return to posting, I made the decision to continue my hiatus. As College Confidential’s popularity increased over the years I began to get more and more frustrated with the level of discourse and the residual consequences that were contributing to a wide-spread negativity in the discourse about college admissions. I began to question whether my existence as an official College Rep posting on College Confidential was giving some form of qualified validation to what was taking place in this online community. Was I contributing to the increasing mass hysteria and anxiety about college admissions and “getting in,” which was partially an outgrowth of what was transpiring in the College Confidential community? I wondered whether, even though I knew I was doing a service for some students visiting the site (providing correct information about Hopkins, linking to helpful resources, dispelling ridiculous myths), my posting on the site was a tacit approval of what I was witnessing as detrimental behavior and ideas that I did not want to support personally and professionally. It is these philosophical questions, as well as partially a sense of burnout, that led to my decision to stop posting. To be honest, I never thought my absence would be this long.

As I began to discuss these issues with various people I did continue to, on occasion, monitor the discussions primarily on the Johns Hopkins University specific forums. I didn’t expect major changes on these forums and to be honest there is not much of a drastic difference between posts in March 2010 and posts in January 2011. I do believe the absence of an official admissions voice has led to a return of some misinformation and occasionally the level of discourse between certain members has gone more negative than when I was an active participant. The ridiculous “chances” threads still exist, and the even more ridiculous responses from anonymous members ratings one’s chances are as popular as ever. Members still post the most basic of questions, ones that could be answered by spending less than five minutes on the Johns Hopkins Admissions site they could locate an official answer. The myths still exist, but there are still members who appear to be actual Hopkins students that are providing a variety of answers that dispel the myths. Students still seek comparison of College A to University X by others, rather than really weighing their own personal attitudes. And the laziness of accepting others’ opinions over personal preference or research that is often bred by online communities still remains as students seek assistance from anonymous posters on important questions and, disturbingly, even assistance with application essays. Nope, my absence did not change the world of College Confidential, and no I am not conceited enough to think it would.

But now the question remains: will I return? The answer is yes. Though I don’t know exactly when (obviously my priority over the next few months is reviewing applications), I did feel that before I return I would in one small way (this blog) share my personal concerns about what the growing popularity of College Confidential has done to the overall state of discourse about college admissions. I have come to the conclusion that my disappearance from a community that I do not completely agree with is not in any way a form of protest that would make a difference. But by publicly sharing my thoughts and criticisms maybe a larger discourse on these issues will begin and maybe, just maybe, I can persuade some high school students to re-think how they use a site like College Confidential. And with all of this exposition out of the way, I present what are my thoughts on the good, the bad, and the ugly of College Confidential. (Note, these are the thoughts of Admissions_Daniel, not officially sanctioned beliefs of Johns Hopkins University.)

THE GOOD
Despite my objections and concern about the weight some prospective college applicants place on information gleaned from College Confidential, I do see value in such a site. The majority of my criticism extends from just one section of the site: College Discussion Forums. The rest of the site can be very helpful to a student starting the college search. If one views the College Confidential site more as a collection of resources and avoids the discussion forums, I feel it is one of the most valid Web sites out there for students to use. Sections such as “Ask the Dean” where credible sources—professionals in the field—are responding to frequently asked questions are a great resource. There is also a wide collection of helpful articles on subjects as diverse as paying for college and student life. I do though fear that these valid sources of information are being overshadowed by the ubiquity of discussions on college rankings, the all-too-often focus on the Ivy League or elite colleges, and the ever present promotion of the opportunity to “chatter” or to “join the discussions.”

I understand why a community like College Confidential has grown in popularity. The caseloads for the majority of college guidance counselors are way too large. The difference in applying to college for this generation is vastly different than previous ones. The amount of information to sort through now in the world of the Internet and social media is daunting. The mass hysteria created by the media that reports of issues of college admissions is out of control. Students and parents are stuck, and unfortunately in today’s world the anonymous web posting carries as much weight and validity as anything else.

I also understand that a community like College Confidential presents an illusion of authenticity that prospective students are looking for in their college search. Many feel that the brochures, viewbooks, and Web sites being presented by colleges and universities are too glossy. These materials are seen as presenting a clean version of information and pumping out details that appeared to be skewed in favor of the rosy picture. Students turn to sites like College Confidential for the “real view” and the unbiased opinions. I agree that a community that allows the dissemination of mass opinions is beneficial but as I will discuss in detail below, when it goes unchecked it can raise some issues beyond inaccuracy.

College Confidential has the right idea in creating such a community with “hundreds of pages of articles about choosing a college, getting into the college you want, how to pay for it, and much more” but the existence of discussion forums that favor anonymity over credibility and the presence of a big brother marketing company in the background concerns me greatly. Why can’t such a community be formed by experts, by an organization that is unaffiliated to corporate ties, and where the most knowledge exists. (Yes, I am thinking about you NACAC, National Association for College Admission Counseling. Your tag-line is “guiding the way to higher education” and with a membership of experts in the thousands, maybe using your leverage and creating a legitimate community of resources and experts that prospective students and their families can easily access is a good project to work on.)

I know that this is supposed to be about the “good” of College Confidential, so let me end on a more positive note and with a suggestion for the future. I understand that this idea for a NACAC-based resource community that has the reach and scope of College Confidential is a bit of a pipe-dream, but I do think there is something that can take place over the near future to alter the discussion a bit. Though I am resistant to suggest there is any “good” involved with the discussion forums section of College Confidential, what I do find helpful and a move in the right direction is when credible professionals begin to use the site and are recognized as “officials.” When I posted in the past my screenname had the official moniker of “College Rep” and I had to go through a confirmation process to be labeled that way. It is pretty easy to learn who I am, obtain my professional resume, and know that I am a college admissions professional for Johns Hopkins University. I hope that more colleges and universities become officially active on the site and combat misinformation, poor advice, mass hysteria, etc. If more of my colleagues and professionals become official representatives then the conversation can be molded by the people who should be shaping the dialogue. That becomes true transparency, and that becomes the most valid resource to the prospective community search for any and all information.

THE BAD
For those who have followed me on College Confidential or read a majority of my past posts it is clear that there are two things that bother me the most: “chances threads” and “college X vs. university Y posts.” This for me is the bad part of College Confidential and an area I try to avoid altogether. I understand why these kinds of posts exist, and I know back in the day I probably would have been tempted to possibly post such threads if such an online community existed (or the Internet existed). However, it is extremely rare that these posts can help and they have in many ways bred the lazy prospective college student.

The college search and admissions process should not be easy. It should not be a point – click – apply – pay – attend process. High school students should have to put energy into this process, they should have to spend time researching, and, most importantly, they need time to do some form of SELF-assessment. This process is one of maturation and of finding oneself and determining interests and preferences. It is a rite of passage where 16, 17, 18 year olds begin to move to that next step in their intellectual and social lives. It is not a time to favor other people’s opinions, thoughts, and preferences, especially anonymous people who know nothing about your history. You hear it all the time that the college search is about finding the right fit. But the phrase is finding “your” right fit. The “your” is being lost and in its place students are leaning on general conclusions, concerns about status, and other opinions.

In the quest for “fit” I respect that college applicants want to know what their reach and safety schools will be. But turning to the members of College Confidential is not the answer. Correct me if I am wrong but there is not a single admissions application reviewer for any school in the country that is responding to “chances” threads. The so-called “gatekeepers” are not on College Confidential letting you know you have a 22% chance at school Y and a 46.8% chance at school X because they favor students more whose last name starts with a “L.” Just because one student was admitted to a school does not make them a credible source on what the school is searching for in its future students. Just because student X was admitted to Hopkins with a 620 Critical Reading and only submitted two subject exams, does not mean that every student who meets those same criteria will be admitted.

You hear all the time that the admissions review process has become holistic and the application reviews are much more comprehensive than ever before. Fit matters more now than it did in the past. Our decisions are not based on things one can post on a chances thread, unless that student posts every part of their application and that it is posted in the context of the full application pool that cycle. I find it funny that members of College Confidential find the assessing of another member’s chances so easy, especially with such little information to go on. Basically that means my ten-plus years of experience in this profession don’t really matter in the determination of who gets in to Hopkins.

Do your own research and speak with your guidance counselors—those are the sources that should be helping you determine your “chances.” You’ll be amazed at how helpful your counselor can be. One thing is for sure, they will not ridicule you, they will not attack you, and they will not make you feel lesser about yourself. They also will not boost your ego, pat you on the back, and just provide you simple lip service. That is what chances threads are for.

THE UGLY
I mentioned this briefly before but I need to expand on the thought. The ugly part of College Confidential is the rampant lack of credibility of sources and the blind acceptance that whatever is posted on the site must be gospel. Every few weeks one of my colleagues and I interact with a student or parent via campus visit, e-mail, or phone and are stunned at the information they are presenting as fact. When a bit of questioning is complete the source is often College Confidential. How many applications did Hopkins receive this year? 26,000 of course because someone said so on College Confidential. (Make the closer to 19,201.) How many SAT II subject exams does Hopkins require? Two of course because someone said so on College Confidential. (Not true. See http://apply.jhu.edu/apply/testreqs.html.) Greek life dominates the social scene at Hopkins. (Not quite. There are over 360 clubs and organizations on campus.) Yup, must be because someone said so on College Confidential.

And who are these someones? What do you know about them? Their name. Their age. Their educational background. What school they attend / attended. And are you sure that what they are telling you about themselves is true? I am not claiming that every post on College Confidential is wrought with misinformation, speculation, and inconsistencies, but what I am asking is how you know what is credible and what is not? Does the number of posts a person have lead to that conclusion? Does their self-posted location lead to credibility? Does their screenname choice really mean they are a wealth of information? Has no one ever lied or trolled on this site? Please do not get me wrong here, I think there are many people who post of College Confidential who are helpful, respectful, and provide great information but the format of the site does not provide an easy way to discern who is credible and who is not.

One of my firm beliefs as I entered the world of social media years ago (kicking and screaming by the way) is my “grain of salt” methodology. You have heard it before, take everything you learn with a grain of salt. I have always interpreted this as meaning to question the source and realize that there is motive behind the presentation of all information. This skepticism about what you read online should exist whether you are reading an anonymous post, or something that I’ve written. The problem is that when I post something there is background and history of my motives that are clearly evident. When anonymous member 781 posts something what do you know about them?

THE FRUSTRATING
I do need to add one last category to my thoughts. I won’t elaborate much on the point but it is something that boggles my mind and no one has really been able to explain to me why it happens. For me the most frustrating part of College Confidential is that for certain students it becomes the only source of information whatsoever. If one can’t find it on College Confidential than it must not be true. Why are people asking about a university’s standardized exam policy on College Confidential rather than going to that school’s Admissions site? Why are people asking what to do if all interview slots are filled on College Confidential rather than calling the Admissions office? Why are students asking about personal parts of their application and what they should do about something linked to them personally rather than sending an e-mail to the Admissions office? For Johns Hopkins, our Admissions site is easy to navigate and there is a ton of information at your fingertips. Our phone staff are polite, helpful, and available during normal business hours to help with any and all inquiries. And our e-mail account is cleared out on a daily basis with thorough responses even over the weekends and holidays. It just makes no sense that one has to turn to “CCFan326” to find out if Hopkins requires SAT scores, or ask “HopingforJHU” what the last date to request an alumni interview is for Hopkins.

I do hope that prospective Hopkins students who do turn to College Confidential also make sure to check out the Hopkins Interactive site. We have worked tirelessly over the last six years to present extensive information to prospective students on student and academic life at Hopkins through this site. 28 current students volunteer to respond to questions on our Hopkins Forums, and they also post fantastic blogs and work on other unique outreach projects on a daily basis. This information is presented in an independent, uncensored format and touches on every possible subject. Personally, if I were to do my college search again I would turn to a resource that allows me to connect with current students who present their pictures, their biographies, and their personal opinions (positive and negative), over the anonymous and random possible Hopkins student. Oh and by the way, the Hopkins Interactive students are not paid and there is no script they need to follow.

I could go on and on and on about my frustration on this point, but the good thing is there is a simple solution. My return to College Confidential will bring back an official responder and I will go back to something I used to do: sharing links of where information can be found.

Thanks to those of you who read through this long post and those of you who will consider my comments. In no way do I expect you all to agree with my point-of-view, and I expect to receive numerous criticisms. I also know that as I continue to have dialogues about these issues that my own perspective will probably adapt. I just hope that this post makes a handful of people think and that in the future others will add to this discussion. College Confidential is not all good, it is not all bad, and it is not all ugly. What College Confidential has become is a part of the college admissions landscape and it can’t be ignored. I do believe the future can bring us an online community where issues of college admissions and higher education can be addressed openly, transparently, and that prospective students and parents can connect with credible sources and open and honest professionals. But before the “utopian” community exists, maybe we can improve the discourse slightly as we move ahead.