August 2012
123 posts
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WHEN A PROSPIE ASKS IF I CAN PROOFREAD HIS ESSAY
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WHEN THE BOSS SAID WE CANT BUY BOOZE ON OUR PCARDS...
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COLLEGE FAIR MUSINGS
The road, the road, the road. What amazingly fun and torturous times it brings. We’re excited by all the pictures we’ve been getting on Twitter the past couple of days - keep it up.
Tonight’s theme is: CAREERS and MAJORS INSPIRED BY TELEVISION! What will this fall bring? Backwoods studies like hog tyin’ inspired by Honey Boo Boo? Only the next few months will tell.
First...
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THE CHOICE OF ATTENDING OPENING CONVOCATION OR...
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AWKWARD OFFICE BIRTHDAY PARTIES
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EXCERPTS FROM ESSAYS
It’s your favorite time to abuse the trust students put into us - Excerpts from Essays!
You never know what you’ll get when you put those random essay prompts in your life. Some tall wig, Benjamin Franklin dudes sit around a table in the President’s Office and laugh “You know what would be HIGHlarious, Jeeves?! Let’s create an admission essay prompt about your most...
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DEAR PARENTS
Dear Parent trying to dicker with me about your son’s financial aid: This isn’t a used car lot. This is a public community college. We already gave you anything you are remotely eligible for…there literally is NOTHING else. Congrats to your kid for the scholarships and grants he earned at other institutions—no, we don’t “price match”. Love, Me
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WHEN OUR ADMIN ASKS IF I REALLY BOUGHT AN ENTIRE...
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SPECIAL TOURS FOR AVID PROGRAMS
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QUESTIONABLE QUESTIONS
We’ve set a fall season’s worth of DVR recordings, eaten all the perishable items in the fridge, said a fond farewell to our freedom and welcomed in an impending 3 month stint in a fine selection of Hampton Inns/Paneras.
We can’t wait for a new season of Questionable Questions. Remember, we’re only a tweet, Facebook post or Tumblr message away (all of which have mobile...
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WHEN I INTRODUCE MYSELF TO A STUDENT THAT SAYS WE...
Quickly, I say:
But really, I’m like:
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WHEN AMBASSADORS COME BACK FOR THE FALL
The first day of class, they’re like:
And by the second day, they’re like:
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WHEN YOUR AACRAO PLANS COLLEGE FAIRS
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WHEN A MOM DEMANDS WE SCHEDULE A PRIVATE VIP TOUR...
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MONDAY MOURNING
Welcome back, kids. Well, bags are packed, and we’re getting ready to hit the road. We’re going to pull back just a teeny, tiny bit in the coming weeks. Don’t fret though. You’ll still have daily posts to soothe all your wounds. We just are having a hard time keeping up with the inbox right now. We swear we’ll get a chance to respond to everyone soon. We love the love...
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WATCHING PEOPLE TRAMPLE EACH OTHER COMING INTO A...
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WHEN I DREAM ABOUT WORK
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WHEN AN INTERVIEW SHOWS UP 45 MINUTES LATE
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WHEN ANOTHER REP COMPLAINS ABOUT HAVING BAD TABLE...
On the outside, I’m like:
On the inside, I’m like:
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WHEN PEOPLE WANT A TOUR LABOR DAY WEEKEND
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WHEN AN ANNOYING COUNSELOR WANTS TO TAG ALONG TO...
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EXCERPTS FROM ESSAYS
HUMP DAY! HERE’S YOUR CHANCE, DO THE DANCE, DO THE HUMP…
First up, a few very honest answers to very important questions.
Why have you decided to apply? I’am looking for a college that is welling to give me a chance and I Fee like I well be right for this college even though my test score wasn’t so high, I feel like since it was my first test that I’ve taken in...
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WHEN THE OFFICE ORDERS FULL BREAKFAST FOR OPEN...
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WHEN MY BOSS GIVES THE YEARLY TRAVEL SEASON PEP...
The boss is like:
And I’m like:
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PROSPECTIVE OVERNIGHT VISITS
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QUESTIONABLE QUESTIONS
Ridiculously busy day today. What is this fresh hell that brings a full jam-packed work day? Oh, that’s right. A new recruitment cycle.
First up tonight, not exactly a question but a questionable situation nonetheless.
One of the most questionable moments are awkward ringback tones ( I once had that “Crazy Bitch” by BuckCherry for a student’s main number… an...
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WHEN MY BOSS ASKS ME TO GIVE THE FINANCIAL AID...
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FINDING OUT YOU AND A COWORKER APPLIED FOR THE...
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WHEN GIRLS WEAR CLUBBING CLOTHES TO A COLLEGE FAIR
Female counselors are like:
Male counselors are like:
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WHEN I CHECK BAGS ON DELTA
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GIVING A MORNING INFO SESSION WHEN I'VE ONLY HAD...
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WHEN A FAMILY SHOWS UP AT 4:30PM AND ASKS FOR A...
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MONDAY MOURNING
Good morning counselors and ambassadors. We sincerely hope you all had a careful, glorious weekend. It’s the first week of classes for many of us, and Welcome Week always brings a special kind of hell. Instead of application questions, now everyone wants to drop by to see us and thank us tell us about how their residence hall room was messy and how mean their advisor is. Great.
But our day...
Anonymous asked: Do you find it ironic that Shark Week is coinciding with the peak of scheduling travel?
prettyinpink79 asked: At new student orientation today, a mom shows up tattoos all over, daisy duke jean shorts, and a cut-off tee with the biggest coon hat style mullet I have ever seen! She says, "I aint stickin around for this shit, I gotta go to Wal-mart! She (daughter) will be fine on her own!" Truly breathtaking, wish I got a photo, you simply can't make this stuff up. I LOVE my job!
Anonymous asked: Do you have any postings related to "walk-ins" ? I find them extremely annoying. "I'm here today to consume an hour or more of your day, without the benefit of calling or scheduling an appointment in advance, to have all of my admissions questions answered IMMEDIATELY. Also, tell me whether I'm accepted or not on the spot NOW." I've actually had people do this...
Anonymous asked: May I request a blog dedicated to the crazies that we deal with on a regular basis? You know, the people who take your title of "counselor" seriously and proceed to tell you their life story. Seriously, you think I have "training" to help "counsel" these people through their life problems. I love hearing about your time in jail, your chain smoking habits, your baby...
Anonymous asked: I love when a parent calls in and says the following: "Do we just show up for a tour or should we actually schedule an appointment? By the way, the times you offer tours are very inconvenient for me."
Anonymous asked: Do you/y'all take suggestions? There's a scene in "Gigi" (1958) where Aunt Alicia gets bug-eyed and says they have to "Work! Work! Work," with fists pounding. I made my coworkers stop the DVD so that I could ask them if that reminded them of our Dean and then proceeded to describe seeing that clip on THIS site with a title like... "Your Dean's [rally cry?...
Anonymous asked: I work with international students and always get a giggle when I see on Chinese transcripts comments about a students height and weight. However today I came across a transcript from India, where under "Personal & Social Qualities" and applicant of mine was given a "B" in Regularity.
Anonymous asked: I work with both undergraduate and graduate admission, and all I can say is "helicoptor parents." GET OUT OF MY LIFE. For chrissake, by the time you're applying to get your MASTER'S OR DOCTORATE IN A HEALTHCARE FIELD it's time for mommy and daddy to drop the phone. phew! thanks for that. i really, really love your blog!
ohtheoffice-deactivated20130509 asked: Hey fellow admissions folks, found your blog today, we definitely share your struggles!
Anonymous asked: Why are summer hours over? Boo.
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TWEETS/POSTS OF THE WEEK
We’ve reached another Friday. Halla-freaking-lujah. Let’s get down to business. First up, an apology. You all know how it is - travel schedule is in gear, students are getting return to return to campus, campus tours are still raging. It’s getting effing busy.
First up, part of an student’s information card shared with us by a Twitter follower. Info cards are always very...
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MOVE-IN DAY
Best wishes for a great move-in day for those of you who have students back on campus today. Give them lots of hugs! Oh wait, that’s a student affairs job. Remind them to pay their damn bills and not eff up the retention rate. :)
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WHEN A PARENT ASKS WHY MY SCHOOL IS SO EXPENSIVE
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WHEN I FINALLY GET MY TRAVEL SCHEDULE PLANNED
I feel like:
And then one school asks me to change a visit which ruins a whole week:
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COLLEGE FAIR MUSINGS
Lo and behold, ask and ye shall receive. Or something like that. We have some goodness from college fairs! Let this serve as an official pep rally to get you all excited about the upcoming travel season.
First up, this story and subsequent photo:
I was at a college fair at HS that, in all my years of doing this job, I had not been to before. Figuring I would give it a go, I waited to speak to...
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WHEN I TAKE ALL THE SHARPIES FOR TRAVEL
The administrative assistant is like:
And I think:
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WHEN I HAVE TO TRAVEL WITH THE BOSS
