Tis the Season...

I feel some explanation is needed as to how I can live in Atlanta and still work for GW, which is, located in Washington, DC.  As you may recall I went to art college in Boston. After earning my Masters in Fine Arts I began working in admissions at my alma mater.  Although I had always dreamed I would be a college art professor, I discovered I loved working with teenagers and fostering their college admissions experience.  I am proof you can do anything with an art degree!  Then in 1997 my husband, daughter and I moved to Atlanta – we lost interest in all that New England snow. It was in 1999 when I became one of GW's regional directors of admission.

My colleagues and I think of the work we do as “seasons”.  Right now we are heading into “travel season” when we schedule and visit a bazillion high schools spreading the good word about the colleges and universities we represent.  Next comes “reading season” when we review and evaluate a bazillion more applications and make decisions that change the lives of many 17 and 18 year olds.  The next is called “yield season” where we meet and mingle with the newly admitted and remind them once again why our college or university is the right one and hope that they accept our offer of admission.  Finally we have “send off season” when the lucky soon-to-be college freshmen return to our campuses for their orientation programs. They also to attend parties near their homes where we congratulate them for making the very best decision of their young lives.  

Sounds pretty exciting, right?  

I am now heading into “travel season” and this week I must schedule 100 high school visits in four different states: Georgia, North and South Carolina, and Tennessee. I’m sending emails, making and returning phone calls, checking for the best airfares, booking hotels, and renting cars. Once this is done, I have to try to fit all this into my calendar that (sadly) informs me that I will be away more than I am home.  To say this is a crazy time of the year is an understatement.  But while the schedule I keep only changes slightly from year to year; the people I meet during each of these “seasons” make the work I do so enjoyable.

As I head into my thirteenth year in admissions at GW, I look forward to seeing many old college counseling friends at the schools I visit during “travel season”.  And the optimistic, accomplished, and inspiring students I’ll meet in my travels.  There is always something new to share with them about GW (and yes, I am bragging) – like the newly renovated Lafayette Hall, West Hall on the Vern, the opening of Whole Foods, and the construction of the Science and Engineering Hall on our Foggy Bottom campus.  I won’t forget to mention the new delish restaurants across the street from JBKO and Munson Halls on I Street (I ate in all of them last week).  

All I can say is who wouldn’t want to go to GW?

Oh, yeah, and for any high school senior reading my blog you have “application season” so don’t forget to register for the October SAT and ACT!