MONDAY MOURNING
Another Monday. Yep. Here’s a Monday Mourning story to ease the introduction of another week:
Welp, It’s been a doozy of a week. I concur with your statement about how long this week feels. Here is why:
1) An incoming student had to cancel his initial visit after being SHOT IN THE FOOT.
2) I received an essay that said the following “My mother never really understood me. She only saw the black and white and never saw the FIFTY SHADES OF GRAY IN BETWEEN”.
3) Boss decided to redistribute some of my students to the newbie. This isn’t Bain Capital, I BUILT THIS!
4) Oh yeah, I have to work next Sunday, thanks for telling us the week of. It’s not like Admission counselors have lives or anything.
This list of misfortunes has all the warning signs of worst. Monday. EVER. Let’s address each of these individually:
1) Is your incoming student Cheddar Bob? That’s the only person we’ve ever known who shoots himself in the foot. So, if your student is Cheddar Bob, you already have your hands full, let alone dealing with the fact that he has a busted foot.
If you don’t know who Cheddar Bob is, shame on you. But here’s a reminder:
2) An essay that references Fifty Shades of Gray. That’s original this year. We guess as long as they don’t take it one step further…
My mother, in her misunderstanding of who I was, had been feeling bound, gagged and chained in my life. I was left feeling whipped by her unloving attitude. Oh, and she never respected my “sex”.
3) SERIOUSLY. WE FEEL YOU ON THIS ONE. The best thing to do is be as passive-aggressive as possible with the newbie that took your territory (even though it’s not really their fault). Here are things to do to make your point:
* Remind the new rep about how much all the guidance counselors in your territory adore you. Ask the the new rep to hand deliver hello notes to guidance counselors for you. Ask then new rep to remind counselors how much you miss them.
* Constantly ask for updates on prospective students in the territory. Act as if you have a personal relationship with each and every student. Make up facts if you need to.
* In the spring, when students choose other colleges, say “Well, that one was a done deal last year… I wonder what happened….”. Shrug shoulders and walk away.
That’ll at least get you started.
4) Other duties as assigned, bro. This is also why we’re all salaried. THEY OWN US. No joke. Still sucks though. Hang in there.
Good luck to everyone on the road this week. Here’s a little message for all of you from us here at Admissions Problems:
