Admissions officers have life stories just like many of you. Granted the college application process is now part of my job, it once was such a mystery to me. Neither of my parents attended college and I didn’t know much about the application or selection process. At 17, all I knew was that I WAS going to attend college. Without much help from home I turned to a college access organization and I have them to thank for walking me through many of the steps. In my professional career, I have made it a point to actively seek organizations that have this mission. Fortunately, we are the newest partner college for the Questbridge organization. This weekend I attended a College Admissions Conference for Questbridge and noticed the striking similarities that many of these students, some of our Tufts admissions officers, and I, have in common: first-generation college students.
As I spoke to the students it reminded me that we all have a story and the college application process is a great time to tell it. Whether you are an aspiring female engineer from Hesperia, CA (which I found out is close to Barstow; or half way between Los Angeles and Las Vegas), a young chemist from Coldwater, MS who came to find me after the fair, or a Mexican American male from San Antonio, TX who wants to infuse Art History and Music with his Mechanical Engineering major, every student brings different life experiences into the admissions process. These stories are what keep admissions counselors interested in finding the best and brightest students from around the country and abroad.
Southerners: I’m currently planning an epic trip through the south for the fall, stay tuned.