Annual Application Workshop Assists Juniors

The daylong session featured representatives from the following schools: Bates College, Boston College, College of William & Mary, Davidson College, Elon University, Ferrum College, Miami University, New York University, Radford University, Sewanee: University of the South, University of California, Berkeley, University of Georgia, University of Richmond, University of Virginia and Washington & Lee University.

During the program, which is one of the foundations of the School’s College Counseling Office, the higher ed representatives gave Collegiate students a deep dive into the college admission process.

Juniors broke into admission committees, with one of the actual deans, directors or associate directors of admission leading them, to decide from a set of four mock applications which candidates to admit or deny. While the deans facilitated the conversation, students gained a better understanding of the process beyond the numbers and the importance of telling their individual stories as they approach their own college application processes.

The annual workshop is a unique experience for students to gain deep knowledge and perspective about the admission process from deans, many of whom have more than 20 years of experience in the field, says Collegiate’s Senior Associate Director of College Counseling Kim Ball.

 

“The students discover that real people are behind admission decisions, and this workshop allows them to see the essential human and personal elements that so often get overlooked,” she said.

The program also included large and small group Q&A sessions with the admission officers and an exercise on writing application essays.

This evening in the Sharp Academic Commons, parents of freshmen, sophomores and juniors are invited to hear the representatives as they serve on a panel and answer questions from the audience.

“We are so fortunate that these deans from across the country join us for an entire day and evening to spend time with our students and parents, especially during the busiest time of the college admission cycle as they review applications from current seniors,” Mrs. Ball said.