Would you like $10K to do your own research?

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As I write the title of this blog I realize that it is eerily similar to the subject line of emails that typically end up in my SPAM folder. Trust me, this is not SPAM, and in fact if you are a current undergraduate applicant to Johns Hopkins University or planning to apply in the future this is an opportunity you don’t want to miss out on. The $10,000 for conducting your own research that I am referring to is the Woodrow Wilson Undergraduate Research Fellowship that freshmen applicants to Johns Hopkins University are eligible to apply for. Details on applying can be found here: http://apply.jhu.edu/wilson/wilson_form_2011.html.

The Woodrow Wilson fellowship is one of the unique opportunities at Johns Hopkins University that I always enjoy speaking to prospective students and families about for a number of reasons. First, people often have never heard of it. Second, the idea of funding research, especially for first-year students, represents the vision of the university so well. And third, the various Wilson projects are some of the best stories to tell about Hopkins students and their achievements. Just in the past few years, Wilson research fellows have:

• Written, produced and directed a full-length play that enjoyed a successful run in Chicago.
• Investigated female circumcision and obstetric fistula in Africa
• Researched the potential uses of adult neural stem cells
• Traced the iconography of an unclassified tile from the Archaeological Museum
• Explored the viability of high speed rail systems in the U.S.
• Studied gene expression in Down syndrome
• Filmed a documentary about the Jewish community of Malta
• Analyzed the rise of megachurches in the U.S. and the U.K.
• Investigated the causes of childhood blindness
• Explored the history of Baroque music and original Baroque instruments
• Studied the best practices of organ donation around the world
• Compared maternal and neonatal health in the U.S. and India

What might you have in mind? The specifics: the fellowship is a $10,000 stipend over four years to spend on research costs, which may include travel, equipment, and use of archives or laboratories. Students are assigned a faculty mentor to help as they select a topic, create an action plan, and pursue their research project. Fellows may choose to work within one field or undertake projects in diverse areas of study. In their senior year, Fellows publicly present their work to the Johns Hopkins community.

The Woodrow Wilson Fellowship website has extensive information about the program and the accomplishments of past fellows: http://krieger.jhu.edu/woodrowwilson/. I encourage checking out the following pages:

• Woodrow Wilson Fellows in the News: http://krieger.jhu.edu/woodrowwilson/news/
• A selection of completed projects over the past few years: http://krieger.jhu.edu/woodrowwilson/completed/
• Completed posters from the Class of 2011 Fellows: http://krieger.jhu.edu/woodrowwilson/completedposters/

This is truly a unique opportunity and one not replicated at other colleges and universities. Don’t take my word for it though. I asked a few current Fellows I know well to speak on what the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship means to them and their connection to Johns Hopkins University:

Tess Thomas – Sophomore (Class of 2014) – History major
I think I would have ended up at Hopkins even if I hadn’t been offered the Woodrow Wilson Research Fellowship, but it certainly made my decision an easy one. Who could pass up the allure of $10,000 to be spent on any project of your choosing? Additionally, the fact that this fellowship is not limited to student studying the natural sciences confirmed for me the university’s commitment to the humanities.  I couldn’t believe that as an intended history major I had been offered this amazing opportunity. I am planning to use my funding to study the effects of the 2012 Olympics on British nationalism. My research is taking me to London this upcoming summer—a trip that is completely covered by the Wilson Fellowship. The WWP has allowed me to combine two life-long dreams of mine: studying abroad and attending an Olympic Games.

Noah Guiberson – Sophomore (Class of 2014) – Biology, Neuroscience majors
For my Wilson, I am currently working with a post-doc at the School of Medicine, doing research in neuroprotection and studying the mechanism and consequences of a particular microRNA’s over-expression and knockout. What we’ve found thus far is that when the gene is over-expressed, excitotoxic cell death in a hippocampal stroke model is diminished by as much as half compared to the control. Another interest that I intend to pursue as a Wilson Fellow is the use of optogenetic techniques in the treatment of cancer, and the development of tumor-specific delivery mechanisms. The Wilson Fellowship provides me with the funding I need to conduct my research, as well as the mentorship and administrative support I need in order to conduct it most effectively.

Ruthie Chen – Freshman (Class of 2015) – English, Spanish majors
The Woodrow Wilson Fellowship definitely played a significant role in my decision to attend Hopkins. After meeting some senior Fellows at SOHOP in April and hearing about their current research endeavors, I realized that this fellowship was truly unique in the breadth and variety of opportunities that are so readily available to us. I was particularly struck by the passion and sense of academic and personal fulfillment that each Fellow shared. From tracking an archaeological tile to Tunisia to studying the international reception of The Great Gatsby in various European countries, the research projects are so intensely varied and intriguing that, as a freshman, I’m still a little overwhelmed by how many different avenues I can pursue in my next four years as a Wilson Fellow.

If you want even more information about the Woodrow Wilson Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program, here are additional links:

• JHU Gazette article from this past spring about 2011 Woodrow Wilson fellows presenting their findings: http://gazette.jhu.edu/2011/04/25/at-journey%E2%80%99s-end/
• Former Hopkins Interactive student blogger JHU_MichelleB and 2008 graduate details the finale of her Woodrow Wilson fellowship: http://hopkins.typepad.com/michelleb/2008/04/woodrow-wilson.html
• A 2010 graduate of the Krieger School of Arts & Sciences and current student at the School of Advanced International Studies, Nicole Overley discusses her Wilson project researching “the comparative impacts of monopolistic versus competitive religious ‘economies’ in the US and the UK:” http://blogs.hopkins-interactive.com/guest/2011/04/my-five-years-at-hopkins-from-homewood-to-sais/
• Class of 2011 Biology graduate Neha Deshpande discusses her Wilson research and Intersession experiences in India: http://blogs.hopkins-interactive.com/guest/2010/04/best-of-the-guest-blog-vi-intersession-in-india/

Don’t miss out on your chance to get a lot of money to establish yourself as a bona fide researcher.

If it walks like a Blue Jay and talks like a Blue Jay…

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Hello there! I am the Hopkins Admissions Blue Jay. I prefer not to reveal my real name so I won’t be recognized on campus (I like to be a bird of mystery, what can I say), but I will tell you a little of my story. I was hatched a few years ago and was recently hired to help with the Spring Open House and Overnight Program (SOHOP), our newest way for admitted students to get to know current Johns Hopkins students and explore our Homewood campus. Not to brag, but the Admissions office fell in love with me as I came up with great ideas (and helped them hang really high banners on Shriver and Levering Halls) and now I’ve been given the job of my dreams: I’m going to travel the world with the Explore Hopkins programs, to spread the word about blue jay life. But, first, we have to clear something up.

I was really excited to get to work in Admissions and represent our blue jay community, but then I stumbled onto College Confidential … and saw my name. You know Admissions_Daniel warns all prospective students to take CC with a grain of salt – that the potential for misinformation there is high – but, when people are gathering and mocking you because they think you look like a duck (!!!), it’s kind of hard to just shrug it off.

And now I’m really concerned that I might hurt Hopkins’ reputation. I never felt out of place or “wrong” before this. But this has caused me to question my identity as a blue jay all together. I mean, I don’t want to travel around, inadvertently convincing people that we’ve become the Hopkins Blue Ducks! I can’t believe it. Can I help it that I have a concave nose? To be honest, this fires me up. Who could mistake me for a duck?

Let’s just go to physical evidence. The first picture is of me, getting ready to go on an overnight visit with a student. The next picture is a blue duck who, quite frankly, looks a little ill-prepared for Hopkins. Let’s take a look at some of the discrepancies.

A. – Feet. How could I possibly get from Shaffer Hall to Mudd Hall so quickly with flat, webbed feet like those? I would be stumbling all over the marble steps on the Breezeway! I can’t imagine running across the Beach to catch a Frisbee or keeping quiet in the library either. It would just be impossible.

B. -Tailfeathers. This duck’s bottom half is kind of plump. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I’ve spent too much time in the Rec Center and training with the lax team to have my bottom mistaken for a duck’s. I’ve recently joined a yoga class there and am feeling relaxed and lean.

C. – Clothes.  Ok, I’m just going to say what you all were probably thinking – this duck is naked. What kind of self-respecting blue jay would wander Homewood Campus totally unclothed? I, on the other hand, am much more civilized. Sweatshirt? Check. And I even take it one step further: toothbrush? Pillowcase? Notebooks and pens, straight from the Johns Hopkins bookstore? Check, check, check-and-check.

D. – Hands. Take a look at the duck’s left hand. It’s clenched in a fist…an angry fist! However, as a blue jay, I remember to stay pleasant and look at the world as an optimist. (Sometimes it’s hard when I have a tough final exam coming up, but a big M&M cookie from Café Q always gets me back on track.)

Personally, I just don’t see the similarities at all. So, as I set off on my mission to share Hopkins with the world, let’s all keep that in mind. No matter what I look like, no matter what I seem:

I’m a blue jay. And I’m proud of it.

Featured Students: Pauline, Adam, Sam, and Sydney

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Meet Pauline, Adam, Sam, and Sydney

Presented by Admissions_Shannon

I can beat the Duggars any day. I have 158 kids, and counting…  116 girls and 42 boys, all between the ages of 17 and 22. I am the Admissions Mom, watching over her tour guides, student workers, and office interns.  And yes, I know they are not REALLY my kids. However, I have known many of them since their first day at Hopkins, and I have watched them grow throughout their time here. They have driven me crazy by not returning emails or wearing jeans to give information sessions (Adam, you are never going to live that down), but have also made me laugh so hard I cried. I know I have said it before, but working with the students at Johns Hopkins is by far the most rewarding part of my job.

This year, my four senior tour guide executive board members will be graduating. Since I have known all four of them for their four years here, I thought I would tell you a little bit about them and how they have taken advantage of their time here at Hopkins.

Pauline Koningsveld (from the Netherlands) – Believe it or not, Pauline never visited JHU before deciding to come here. She took a leap of faith, leaving her hometown of Oegstgeest in the Netherlands and landing in Baltimore in August of 2007. As a double major in international studies and economics, she has organized “Election Watch ’08” on campus, studied abroad in Australia, and helped the FBI recruit prospective employees. If you ask her what her favorite activity on campus is she will probably tell you tour guiding, but I really think that is just because there are often cupcakes in my office. Right now, Pauline is looking for a marketing or production position in the entertainment business out on the west coast. I am excited to see where things take her!

Adam Reiffen (from California) – Just a few weeks ago, Adam was sworn in as a Navy Officer Candidate, and he will now serve four years as an Intelligence Officer. While at Hopkins, I would say he has dabbled in just about everything – a double major in romance languages and international studies, Greek life, the AllNighters a capella group, volunteering and working for the Admissions Office, studying abroad in Portugal, and internships in Washington, D.C.  When I asked Adam what he liked best about Hopkins, he said, “I was really blown away at the support and kindness of the student body when I first started here, and I remain impressed to this day. People ask how your day is going and stick around for a response; they volunteer to help you with tough homework assignments or to study for tests; they pick up your shifts at work; and they show up to support you when you’ve got a performance or a show. It’s just a terrific place to go to school and make friends.”

Meet Adam

 

Sam Lichtenstein (from New York) – As an international studies major, Sam founded our political magazine on campus, JHU Politik. He also organizes the JHU Model UN Conference, is co-chair of Seniors for the Hopkins Fund, gives tours, conducts interviews, and serves as an ambassador for Alumni Relations. During his junior year, he spent a semester abroad in London, and during his summers he has held several internships in NYC. Last week, Sam was named the university’s newest Young Trustee – only one student in the entire class is given this designation each year! When Sam and I were talking about his plans next year to work for Teach for America in Houston, TX as a social studies teacher, he said, “It is really sad to realize that there is so little time left at Hopkins! Each year here, one of the main highlights has been Spring Fair. I love seeing the campus transformed into a giant amusement park. Of course, once you are over 21, the Beer Garden is a major focal point of the weekend. Other than that, I have loved spending time laying out on the Beach and doing nothing. It is very rare for me to have absolutely nothing to do, so once it becomes warm enough to use the Beach, I take full advantage of it.”

Meet Sam

 

Sydney Greenberg (from Massachusetts) – I first met Sydney as a prospective student. She was on campus for our Hodson Scholar reception during one of our admitted student events. Soon thereafter, she enrolled and was on campus for the start of her freshman year. In addition to playing varsity field hockey for Hopkins, Sydney has given tours, interviews, and information sessions for Admissions (you might have met her on one of your visits here!). She has also found time to TA for a leadership class and study abroad – both a summer in China, as well as a traveling semester for her Public Health major in Switzerland, China, South Africa, and India. Next year, she too is headed off to work with Teach for America. She will be stationed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

As you can see, they have all really made the most of their time here. While I am not picking favorites (I would be an awful “mom” if I did), I can say that I will truly miss my tour guide executive board next year when they leave their Blue Jay nest and fly into their new adventures.

Featured Students: Shayna, Joju, Peter, and John

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Meet Shayna, Joju, Peter, and John, Videographers extraordinaire

Presented by Shelly Placek, Office of Undergraduate Admissions’ Web and Publications Marketing Specialist

One of the great benefits of working in Undergraduate Admissions is getting to know the amazing students who work in our office. From our backward-walking tour guides to the friendly people who answer your phone calls, to the folks who work the front desk and those who keep us organized, our office is always filled with awesome students who make us laugh and keep us on track. On the communications team, we have the pleasure of working with four students who make up our recently formed videography team. Though they’ve only been on the job since September, they’ve been a huge asset to our office. Collectively, they are creative, funny, smart, and really, really good at their jobs. Individually, they each bring unique talents and energy to the team. Meet Shayna B. ’11, Joju V.  ’11, Peter B. ’13, and John B. ’14.

Shayna’s credentials were instantly impressive. In a pool of many qualified applicants, her resume and clips stood out, including internships at Universal Studios and Paramount. She’s served as lead on several assignments and worked closely with the Hopkins Interactive team in coordinating shoots and developing story ideas. She consistently turns in professional-looking work under tight deadlines, and I know she’ll do well in the industry after she graduates this year. She also wears really cute shoes and somehow knows what I mean when I say stuff like, “That thing that’s at, like, the 30 second mark that looks weird, take that out.” I like that about her.?

I’m constantly impressed with Joju’s easygoing but ambitious approach to his work. He’s brought a lot of good ideas to the team and has initiated assignments, like his upcoming feature on security at Johns Hopkins, that I know will add a lot to our film library. He’s the perfect balance of professional and laid-back and I think that combo will ensure that he does well in whatever he decides to pursue. (Side note: I’m selfishly hoping he gets a job as a videographer for MTV so he can hook me up with the inside scoop on Teen Mom and Jersey Shore, but only time will tell.) He also gets my increasingly outdated Simpsons references, which makes me really happy, and tries to keep me on track with the hip things all the kids are saying these days.

Peter is our technical genius. Even when I don’t have any idea what he’s talking about—and that happens more than I like to admit, because he’s super smart and knows his stuff—I can trust him to tell me what equipment and software we need, and to know how to use it. He’s a wiz with the steadicam and brings some of the craziest, most entertaining ideas to our brainstorming meetings. I once got an e-mail from him that asked if we had a saw and black and white paint. I have none of those things in my office (I’m a communications lady, not a tech ed teacher) but if I did, I would’ve handed them over without question because I’m sure it was for something amazing. If you enjoy our videos, try to imagine what they’d be like with an unlimited budget, because Peter would deliver Inception for every assignment.

And last, but certainly not least, there’s laid-back Connecticut native John. He fits this job between playing goalie for our men’s soccer team and being a freshman but makes all that seem easy. I’ll never forget how excited John was during his first interview. He brought perhaps the least experience but the most enthusiasm and, since then, has really embraced his ambition to learn a lot about filming and editing. He’s learned from the other members of the team and done some training on his own time and, combined with his knowledge of photography and his natural instincts, has become a valuable member of the team. From operating the boom mic to appearing as a special guest in other people’s “Cribs” videos, John is just a good natured fella who will surely become one of our go-to guys as we add new members to our media team. 

I also wanted to give a shout out to two students who aren’t “mine,” so to speak, but are members of Admissions_Daniel’s uber-talented SAAB crew: Brian S. and Joe N. Both are always floating around the office, and seem to be tackling endless to-do lists. Brian was one of the first students I got to know here, and I got to know him pretty well over countless hours spent working on the Insider’s Guide for admitted students. He’s an environmentally conscious and ambitious student who picks up skills (like InDesign and printer-speak) with the ease of someone much older. And Joe. What doesn’t Joe do? (No, really, Joe…what DON’T you do, other than sleep??) He’s running the building one minute, re-designing Hopkins Interactive the next, then coordinating a video shoot, all while running the world from his Blackberry. This is the kind of guy who will change the world. Seriously.

I hope these guys enjoy working for us as much as we enjoy having them around the office. And you, dear reader, should check out some of the awesome video work here: http://www.hopkins-interactive.com/videos/ or read about it here: http://gazette.jhu.edu/2011/03/07/lens-on-jhu-and-baltimore/.

Featured Student: Maya Hernandez

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Meet Maya Hernandez, a sophomore at Hopkins.

Presented by Chloe Rothstein, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions

She hails from Japan, California, Michigan, and Texas. Maya was born in Tokyo, Japan, where her mother’s family is based. But, after just two weeks of life, her family moved to Southern California for her father’s job working for the American government. About 12 years later, Maya moved back to Japan to the islands of Okinawa, just off of Japan’s mainland. Over the last few years Maya’s family has also relocated to Michigan and Texas–that’s a lot of travelling! After exploring the world, Maya has been ecstatic to spend the last one and a half years (two and half more to go!) in one place, at Johns Hopkins University.

Some of Maya’s favorite things to do include being a professional florist; studying psychology and architecture; being an active member of The HOP;  and serving on the executive board of Hopkins Hosting Society (HHS), the organization that brings prospective and admitted students to the Johns Hopkins University campus. Recently, Maya took an adventure with some of her best friends on Hopkins Hosting Society to “Fantasy World Party Rentals” to look at carnival rides, party games, glow sticks and other fun decorations for our admitted student program this spring.  (You can see many of the executive board members in the picture holding a ton of balloons below.)

One of Maya’s main responsibilities on Hopkins Hosting Society is managing the student leadership board, approximately 100 students who will help Maya and HHS manage the events the day of the admitted student program. See the picture of Maya and friends below with all the acceptance packets for students, who will be part of the student leadership board!

Maya also has a terrific sense of humor and to give you a sense of how much fun she has living in her dorm at Hopkins, she’s shared a few pictures of her and her friends hanging out in her room. Enjoy!

Featured Students: Azam Qureshi & Kimberly Hilson

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Meet Azam Qureshi and Kimberly Hilson, freshmen at Johns Hopkins University.

Presented by Sherryl A. Fletcher, Senior Associate Director of Admissions

 When I reflect on my roles as both an admissions professional and a parent, I delight in the opportunities I have to watch children mature into exceptional young adults. I have hopes, along with their parents, that all students will find the college environments that support their unique gifts and terrific personalities. When these students are also classmates of my own child, the hopes are even more meaningful, and more personal. I would like to introduce two fabulously talented students from McDonogh School in Owings Mills, Maryland: Kimmy Hilsen and Azam Qureshi. Kimmy and Azam are freshmen at Johns Hopkins University and classmates of my son, Cameron, also a 2010 graduate of McDonogh School. Kimmy and Azam have started their Johns Hopkins experience with energy, purpose, and unique talents, and I am super proud of each of them. As local Baltimore-area students, they will tell you about their first semesters on the Johns Hopkins Homewood campus. In just four months, they are already beginning to leave their footprints here.

Meet: Azam Qureshi

Why did you select Johns Hopkins as your college choice?

I chose Johns Hopkins primarily because of its close proximity to my home in Baltimore County, Maryland; my love of the campus; and its renowned reputation. I love being able to go home every few weeks or have my parents visit me. Also, the campus reminds me of the campus of my primary school and almost makes me forget about its urban location. Both of these factors contributed to making the transition to college smoother for me since I had gone to the same school for 13 years before arriving to Hopkins.

What Johns Hopkins experience has been the most exciting for you?

The most exciting part of my Hopkins experience so far was orientation. It was everyone’s first experience at college and I was able to meet so many people and bond with those inside and outside of my building through various orientation events like the trip to the Orioles game and the stand-up comedy show in Shriver auditorium. I only wish it could have been longer.

What is your favorite on campus event so far?

My favorite on campus event so far was the Lupe Fiasco concert in the Rec Center.

Who is your favorite new friend or new teacher?

I have so many favorite new friends and I would not be able to name just one. Hopkins offers so many opportunities for new freshmen to branch out and meet all different types of undergraduates through dorm life and extracurricular activities. I have been fortunate enough to meet amazing people in my dorm and through my involvement on campus from working in the Recreation Center, being on the Residential Advisory Board and in the Muslim Students Association, and playing intramural flag-football and basketball.

What will you do during Intersession?

During intersession, I plan on taking advantage of the variety of free courses Hopkins offers to students during this time. Since I wanted the opportunity to take something I normally wouldn’t during the regular school year, I signed up for The Art of the Pitch and Energy 101 in order to earn two credits while learning about marketing and the business of energy in the United States. Additionally, because my classes span five days and two days respectively, I may shadow a doctor and just enjoy the relaxation of not having five or six classes to juggle.

Meet: Kimberly Hilson

Why did you select Johns Hopkins as your college choice?

I didn’t visit Hopkins until the summer before my senior year in high school. I visited three times before applying. Every time I visited, I felt such a great sense of community, which I loved, and I immediately felt at home. After my third visit, I knew Hopkins was where I wanted to be, so I applied under the Early Decision plan.

When I was searching for colleges, I knew that I wanted to attend a college where I would receive a top-notch education, play Division III field hockey, and stay close to home. I found all three qualities in Hopkins. At Hopkins, I know I will receive a world-class education. At Hopkins, I have the opportunity and privilege to play Division 3 field hockey. Only at Hopkins, can I receive a world-class education, play field hockey and stay close to home all at the same time.

What Johns Hopkins experience has been the most exciting for you?

I have loved all of the experiences that I have had at Hopkins so far, so it is hard to pick one as my favorite. However, one of my favorite parts of being at Hopkins has been living on campus in Wolman Hall. Being in the dorms allows me to be independent and make decisions for myself, which is really exciting.

What is your favorite on campus event so far?

So far, I have two favorite events: the Convocation before the first day of classes and the Lighting of the Quads. At the Convocation, the entire freshman class gathered on the quad behind Mason Hall and we were addressed by various faculty members, deans, and even some of our classmates. It was really cool to see our whole class gathered together underneath the huge tent. After the ceremony, there was a nice reception where we were able to mingle with other members of our class and meet new people. That was really cool. The Lighting of the Quads was equally exciting because I LOVE the holidays and seeing the campus all lit up was beautiful! It reminded me of being at home with all of the holiday lights, so I really enjoyed this evening.

Who is your favorite new friend or new teacher?

I have made so many friends since I’ve arrived on campus. From my friends on the hockey team to my friends from just meeting people along the way and in various clubs, it’s hard to pick a favorite new friend. However, I have to say that the friends that I have made through the BSU (Black Student Union) have become my best friends so far. I love having friends to go to breakfast, lunch, or dinner with. Or to go to the library and have study sessions with. Making friends at Hopkins was so easy because everybody was so nice and open to meeting new people.

My favorite teacher…hmm…well, my favorite course this past semester was Introduction to Sociology, which was co-taught by Professor Andrew Cherlin and Professor Pamela Bennett. Both are extremely passionate about their fields and are always available to talk. I have talked to both Professor Cherlin and Professor Bennett outside of the classroom, which is really great.

What will you do during Intersession?

During Intersession this year, I will be taking two classes. The first class I am taking, The Practice of Law, lasts two weeks. I’m really excited about that class because I am considering attending law school after graduation. The second class I am taking is called B’More: Urban Schools Today, where we are going to study the state of urban schools, and we’ll even get to visit a local public school in Baltimore, which I’m really looking forward to.

Featured Students: SAAB Legacy

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It is March 8 and things are in a state of flux in the Admissions Office. My colleagues and I have completed all first reads and now we begin the complicated task of committee reviews for the remainder of the month. The individuality of the first-read process and the convenience of working from home now morphs into organized group activities that lead to 18-hour office days and numerous debates. The change is a welcome one, as it means we are one step closer to the release of notifications and the finalization of the Johns Hopkins Class of 2015.

Change is also in order for the Hopkins Insider blog as last week we ended the 10-part “Get to Know the Admissions Committee” blog series. We hope you enjoyed getting to know the members of the Admissions Committee in a new way and it shed some light on how our minds work. I know I personally enjoyed reading my colleagues’ responses, especially their stories for question #7, funniest recruitment experiences. As we hunker down for the next few weeks in committee, we thought it would be interesting to write about some of our favorite Hopkins students, either current or recent alumni. We all feel that it is the students that make Johns Hopkins University so special, and one of the perks of working in Admissions is the amazing students who cross our paths on a daily basis.

For my contribution to this favorite student series, rather than discussing one student, I have chosen to feature 13 students that have meant the world to me during my seven years at Hopkins. They are what I have named the SAAB Legacy. The SAAB Legacy consists of nine students who have graduated within the last four years and four more students that will cross the stage at Commencement this May 26. Each of them has been a central figure to the student group I oversee, the Student Admissions Advisory Board (SAAB), and have left an indelible legacy as the inaugural members of all things Hopkins Interactive related. Not only do I consider each one of the 13 my friends, I consider them part of a unique family that has made coming to work every day an utter joy. I think each of them knows how much they have meant to me, but featuring their collective excellence here is just one additional way I can share the brilliance behind Hopkins Interactive on the micro-scale and Johns Hopkins University on the macro-scale.

Any discussion of the SAAB legacy must start at the beginning with the two Michelles, the godmothers of SAAB and Hopkins Interactive. The first Michelle is JHU_MichelleT, a 2007 cognitive science graduate, who later this spring will be finishing law school at Yale University. The second Michelle is JHU_MichelleB, a 2008 neuroscience graduate who has spent the last couple of years working for a tech company in San Francisco and will be starting medical school this fall. The two Michelles are in so many ways the originators of all the social media projects I work on daily with the current members of SAAB. They are the first two faces that would be carved into the Mount Rushmore of Hopkins Interactive. Not only did their creativity, initiative, and constant inspiration help fine-tune my embryonic idea of using blogs to help in Admissions recruitment, but their organizational skills and meticulous detail kept me sane and focused as we developed Hopkins Interactive for its launch. Without the two Michelles there would be no SAAB, there would be no Hopkins Interactive, and there would not be an Admissions_Daniel either. I owe so much to their collective drive and leadership, and feel honored to continue to be able to celebrate their post-Hopkins accomplishments.

Following on the heels of the two Michelles was a collection of five students (all 2009 graduates) that took SAAB to the next level. They were the first group of students that I knew from the recruitment stage all the way up to graduation, and to this day they are engraved in the fabric of Hopkins Interactive. If the two Michelles are the godmothers, these five students make up the first class of SAAB Hall of Famers and have so much to do with taking our early concepts to the next level. First there is JHU_Esther who took her international studies degree from Hopkins and leveraged it into a position with the Foreign Service and now serves in Ethiopia. Then there is JHU_Julia who is currently using her political science degree as a paralegal in NYC for the United States District Attorney’s Office and plans for law school are in the near future. JHU_Laura rounds out this triumvirate of amazing women, having returned home to the Pacific Northwest after graduation to use many of the skills she learned through SAAB as alumni and web coordinator for The Northwest School.

This 2009 “SAAB FAB 5” is not complete without discussing the two guys. JHU_Andrew graduated with an international studies degree, spent a year studying at the University of St. Andrew’s in Scotland and is now back home in New York with a pretty impressive government job that I really can’t talk about or he might come arrest me. And finally there is JHU_Tanmay, the first technical genius of SAAB, who took his BME degree down south to enroll in medical school at Duke. Each and every day I miss getting to hear the stories of these five amazing individuals and scholars, and I miss in a small way getting to live vicariously through them. Esther was the glue that held everything together, Julia was the social center, Laura was the creative genius, Andrew was the other point-of-view, and Tanmay made sure everything kept working.

The 2010 SAAB class consists of just two students but in their own right they bridged the gap between the originators of the group and foreshadowed the future. JHU_Jackie was a two-pronged SAABer contributing both to the creative perspective but also making sure we never forgot the all-important social element that led to the success of this diverse group of students. Jackie was the consummate humanities scholar during her time as an undergraduate and now she is using her drive and motivation to support No Labels, a social welfare advocacy organization in Washington, D.C. Jackie’s counterpart is JHU_Kate who can best be described as the SAAB encyclopedia. Any prospective students who ever asked a question in the early years of Hopkins Interactive can remember getting the most detailed and informative responses from Kate. She knows Hopkins backwards and forwards, and thankfully, after graduating with a neuroscience degree, she did not go far; Kate currently works as a research technologist at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. I think the great legacy of both Kate and Jackie is that many of the skills they used to better Hopkins Interactive are being echoed in the crop of new Class of 2014 SAAB members.

Later this May, I will say farewell to four members of the SAAB Class of 2011. In many ways I consider them a “Final Four” as they truly are the last remaining members of the early stages of SAAB and Hopkins Interactive. There is JHU_Josh, our SAAB director and producer. He has used his creativity and film and media studies experiences to bring Hopkins Interactive into the video era. Film school is in his future. There is JHU_Lauren, who embodies everything the humanities represents at Hopkins. For Hopkins Interactive she can be described as the creative genius, visual designer, forums guru, technical problem solver, and all-around magician. As Lauren departs, SAAB is losing its visual eye, but we know her creativity will appear in whichever career she chooses to pursue. The third member is JHU_Jessica, who will go down in the SAAB record books as having the longest official tenure, as she was granted her spot with the group during the second semester of her senior year in high school after being admitted ED. Without Jessica, Hopkins Interactive would not have an Academics Blog, would not have a presence on Facebook, and would not be nationally recognized as an example of the best way to use social media in admissions. Jessica departs Hopkins as the quintessential public health studies student and a true ambassador of that program. Her next endeavor will be a 4000-mile bike across the country to fight cancer. And finally there is JHU_Mandy. I could write another five pages of praise about Mandy but, simply put, she has become the Mom of SAAB. In many ways she has become the quintessential SAABer, embodying the strengths of the other 12 members of the SAAB Legacy, and becoming the model for all future SAABers. Mandy graduated with a public health studies degree this past December and has been working as an Admissions intern before attending law school this fall. When Mandy, Lauren, Jessica, and Josh cross the stage on Homewood Field this May, the SAAB Legacy will become complete and the tears will be flowing full stream from my eyes.

These 13 special students have meant the world to me and I consider them in many ways my children. I will look after them for as long as I can, and will provide them with any assistance they ever need. They have inspired me, they have challenged me, they have made me laugh, they have made me cry, they have displayed true creativity, and they have in the end created something memorable and unique. They have kept me in the loop and allowed me to be a small part of their successes. They have left a true legacy.

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

13

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.

Snow Day

3

As most of you probably already know, the Baltimore-D.C. metro area was hit with a major blizzard over this past weekend. Nearly 30 inches of snow fell between Friday and Saturday, crippling the city yet providing an amazing opportunity for Hopkins students to become children again and enjoy a fun-filled snow weekend. The weekend has been extended as the University is closed this Monday, a rare occurrence in the history of Johns Hopkins University.

While the students enjoy this day off and another opportunity to play in the snow, I on the other hand am beginning to go a bit stir crazy. For four straight days I have been in my apartment basically reading applications non-stop. I need to get out. Unfortunately though there are piles of snow that needed to be removed from my car first. I have made three separate shoveling trips for a total of three hours, and still probably have another hour to go. I will get out soon … hopefully.

To commemorate this momentous blizzard of 2010, I asked a number of the students I know to share their pictures from the weekend with me. So here is a slideshow of those pictures, as well as some of mine, to help put into perspective the snOMG / Snowpocalypse / B’morizzard of 2010:

Thanks to Miranda, Steph, Brian, Keith, Mandy, Lauren, Saznin and Tyler for sharing pictures. Special thanks to Tabitha and her housemate Shanna who provided some of the best shots in the whole slideshow.

Current reports say that another storm is ready to hit Baltimore tomorrow evening and drop anywhere from 6-16 more inches of snow. Whatever does fall this week, it will just add to the highest total of snow in this history of Baltimore for one winter season. I guess I finally know what it feels like to live in Buffalo.

Whether there are more snow days ahead, I know where I will be for foreseeable future … in my office (home or Mason) reading applications. No snow days for Admissions_Daniel … oh well.

Emotional Times

0

The last few weeks have been pretty tough. Normally I would follow such a statement with details of being really busy in the office or tales from a hectic recruitment trip in New England. Though work has been quite busy and I have been on the road for the better part of the last month, the rough times I speak of today stem from a number of stories that have deeply impacted the Hopkins community this fall. I'll get back to blogging about all that is happening in Admissions and entries focusing on the application process in the coming days, but since I have this forum I thought it appropriate to share my thoughts.

To start, if you have yet to hear, nearly two weeks ago the Hopkins community suffered a tragic loss. Miriam Frankl, a junior in the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, was the victim of a hit-and-run accident. She was unable to recover from the injuries she suffered in the accident and passed early on the morning of Saturday, October 17 with her parents and many of her friends at her side. For me, the following lines from a message from the deans to the campus community really expressed the impact this horrific incident had immediately on the entire Hopkins community:

Every student contributes in no small measure to the community we create together at Johns Hopkins. The loss of any student, particularly in so tragic and senseless manner, grievously wounds us all.

I learned of the accident very early on Saturday morning when I woke up and was preparing to head to the Homewood campus for one of our fall Open House programs. As I drove to campus I was highly emotional. My heart was heavy, I had a lump in my throat, tears filled my eyes, and a sense of confusion overwhelmed my brain. Though I had only met Miriam a few times in her freshman year, I knew that so many of the students I know well were very close friends with her. I knew she was one of those special students that mixed intelligence and a dedication to academic pursuits, with a love of life, a strong commitment to her friends, and an overwhelming positive spirit. All I could think of was why do such senseless acts of tragedy occur? The Open House and subsequent days were tough, but I did get to see our campus community come together to mourn and support those hurting the most. It is sad that sometimes only in tragic times do you get to see the real strength in people.

Even though days have passed, people are still hurting. The subsequent investigation of the accident and the horrific details that have come out in the news surrounding the driver and the incidents of the day have made the healing difficult. Many, including me, are quite angered with what we have learned through the criminal investigation, and that has really delayed the healing process. However, this is not the place to discuss those details. I know that in the coming days, weeks, and months the campus will continue to heal while also never forgetting Miriam. We all are just pretty much dealing with raw emotions right now, some considerably more than others.

A week prior to this tragic loss, the Hopkins community was shocked by a message sent by our recently installed new President, Ron Daniels. President Daniels sent an email to students, faculty, and staff detailing that he had undergone surgery to remove a small mass in his abdomen, near his pancreas. The message did start with a note that President Daniels' prognosis is excellent and a full recovery is expected. However, knowledge that President Daniels would spend approximately eight weeks away from the office concerned many, including me. Thankfully, in a message 10 days after the surgery, President Daniels shared with the community that the results of the surgery and pathology reports have led to very good news.

A definite set-back and scare for President Daniels who had set a very fast pace in his first months in office, but thankfully all the news has been good since the surgery. In his communications with the campus community, it was good to see President Daniels humor still on display:

– I’ve always known of the outstanding reputation of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and The Johns Hopkins Hospital. I never intended to get to know Johns Hopkins Medicine so well from the inside but can now personally attest to the stellar care provided by our physicians, nurses and staff.

– I will be doing my best to balance my doctors' insistence on a good, long recovery with my constitutional inability to remain at rest for very long. This will be a challenge.

And finally, there is a third story to share that has made this past month such a trying and difficult one for me and many others. Two weeks ago, I said goodbye to my Admissions colleague and close friend, Jameel Freeman, as he left the Hopkins Admissions Office to a new position at another fine university.  Please understand, in no way do I think the leaving of a colleague carries the same emotional weight as the tragic loss of a precious student, nor is it as concerning as a serious health battle of a new president. It is just that all of these stories occurred during the same period of time, and have tested my emotional well-being and drained my eyes of many tears.

In my ten plus years in Admissions I have had many, many, many colleagues come and go. All of them have impacted me professionally, most in a good way though there have been some that I was glad to part ways with. No exaggeration, I learned more from Jameel in the four years I got to work with him than anyone else I have ever worked with. I consider him a close friend, a mentor, a solid support network, an advisor, and he is even a fan of mine. Saying farewell to Jameel was tough for so many reasons, and I prefer to keep them private. Though a great loss for the Admissions office, we will move on and I know Jameel is in a better place for him.

Thanks for reading this and allowing me to share my thoughts. I'll be back to Admissions topics shortly.