To All Who Applied: Thank You for Sharing Your Stories
Though admissions is my much-loved job, words are my other passion. Ever since my English major days at Tufts, I’ve tried to record the memorable passages I come across in one place so that I can find them later. Their current landing pad is a slim, red notebook, which grows more full daily with lines from Maggie Nelson’s Bluets, profound things my mom tells me over the phone when I’m doing my laundry, and interesting phrases found on flyers.
I use this same notebook to keep my favorite lines from the essays that applicants submit each year.
Your words have challenged, inspired, and taught me—not only professionally, but personally too. The essays I read as part of my job often carry such wisdom that I set them down feeling astounded. Or such humor that I cackle out loud. Your words stay with me.
The greatest pleasure of this job is falling in love with a student’s words, advocating for them in committee, sealing their acceptance package, and welcoming them to campus in the fall. The most difficult part is falling in love with a student’s words while recognizing that not all the students we loved in this selective process will ultimately make it into the class.
Some of our incredible applicants to the Class of 2023 received happy news yesterday, and others received news that was difficult and disappointing. Whatever the decision that arrived in your portal, I want you to know that your words mattered to us—and will continue to matter. Thank you for sharing your stories.