For a job that is so incredibly public facing (hello 200 person info sessions, and dozens of high school visits (during non-COVID times)), reading season is a drastic change of pace. We trade in our presentation notes for our reading glasses as we dedicate ourselves to the hours and hours of reading applications. Every day brings us to different corners of the world, from rural towns of 200 people, to bustling mega-cities. Every day takes us across the spectrum of our 150 majors and minors as student express interests in everything from environmental activism to poetry, biomedical engineering to Latin (and sometimes all in the same application).
It's a truly remarkable job to be an admissions officer, learning so much about the world through individual applicants' stories. I asked my colleagues to share some of their thoughts on this process, just so you can get a sense of where we're at these days:
"I love reading season because it’s all about community! I know that sounds odd in juxtaposition with my closet office where I read physically alone, but it really is. Admission officers spend A LOT of time together reviewing applications – learning about each other, from each other, all in the process of learning about applicants and the communities they come from. Reading season gives me the opportunity to get to know my office community on a deeper level while adding new perspectives and voices to the Tufts community." - Associate Director Bridget Moore
"Reading applications is like having a front seat view into the future. The stories applicants share with us, the solutions to complex problems they develop, the ideas they generate all point to where our world is heading next." - Dean of Admissions JT Duck
“My favorite part of the reading process is witnessing students’ passions coming to life through their visual art, music, dance, or maker portfolios. Your creativity inspires me!” Admissions Counselor Julia Dudley-Kramer
“As a Tufts alumna, I’ve enjoyed reading about what attracts students to Tufts! Through students’ Why Tufts essays, I learn about new professors, exciting research projects, and memorable campus visits, which makes me revisit the moments that made my Tufts experience so special. I can’t wait for the Class of 2025 to start creating their own memories as Jumbos!” - Admissions Counselor Pamela Toscano '19
“Outside of reading, much of my work in admissions focuses on data and systems. Reading season is one of my favorite times of the admissions cycle because I can focus less on the data and more on stories. I really enjoy reading stories from our applicants and imagining how they can fit into the Tufts community.” - Assistant Director Aaron Watts '18
“I’m so grateful to play a part in students’ journeys toward making their post-secondary goals a reality, especially for our applicants who will be the first in their family to earn a college degree.” - Senior Assistant Director Sean Ashburn
"I could find myself traveling from Tufts’ backyard to Washington, D.C. to rural northern California to Sri Lanka and back again all in one day of reading! I learn something new every day and always appreciate hearing the fresh perspectives of our playful and intellectually curious applicants." - Admissions Counselor Aidan O'Shea
"I am constantly humbled by our inspiring applicants - by their incredible accomplishments and impacts, by their selfless and ambitious aspirations, by their resilience and strength. I love reading in recommendation letters that these students give their counselors and teachers hope for the future, and I absolutely feel that every day I read applications." - me! (Associate Director Rachel Brown)
Thank you to the Class of 2025 applicants for applying and sharing your stories, accomplishments, and dreams with us.