In the past 36 hours, I've participated in the Unique NYC College Fair, been to a reception for Michigan, watched Wills and Kate tie the knot, been to a counselor breakfast for MIT, Brown and Yale, and worked a Friday of a three day week following school break. It has been a whirlwind to say the least!
The Fair was great. As always, many thanks to the NYC Lab School for their gracious donation of space (and countless hours of planning).
Last night, the University of Michigan hosted an admitted student reception that, in all honesty, was the absolute best college event I've ever been to. I know it sounds hyperbolic, but the entire thing was flawless. There was a packed ballroom, plentiful (and substantial) food, a panel of University representatives, blue and gold ballons and lots of positive energy flowing. The part that really sold me though was the brilliant idea of having the 30 or so alums in attendance come to the front of the ballroom and pass the microphone to share their names, class year and major, hometown and current job. Each one was more confident and successful than the next. Well played Michigan, well played. As a final flourish, each student in attendance was also given a Michigan t-shirt and laundry bag. The evening was celebratory without a heavy hand of a marketing team. You all know by now that my heart lies in the Midwest. If you get accepted to Michigan and go to one of their receptions, I think yours will too.
The royal wedding was amazing. It has little to no connection to college other than the fact that the couple met at St. Andrews. I loved every second.
From this morning, I want to extend a thank you to MIT, Brown and Yale for hosting a counselor breakfast. (Blogger extraordinaire Matt McGann was there. Cue the geeking out, he's a college blog master!) These types of events are a great way to stay connected with colleagues and with the different schools. My favorite highlights from the comments shared by the schools at breakfast? 1) A student submitted resume is of little importance, as most schools really just want you to convey your strengths on the main application. They'll see it, but it will be in the back of the file. 2) Really, just send these schools two letters of recommendation. A third is ok if you do outside scientific research and your advisor wants to write on your behalf, but other than that, two is what they want. 3) MIT likes its own application, don't hold your breath for it to join the Common App. 4) Read the Early Action and Early Decision rules for EVERY school very carefully. More and more schools have idiosyncratic policies (and even more they have policies that change from one year to another). Here is what Yale, MIT and Brown have to say on the matter.
I pretty much feel like this now. Next week AP exams start - sharpen your #2 pencils!
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