The Deadline Looms!

Happy Deadline Week!  For those among you who have pressed “submit” online or are going to press “submit” within the next 36 hours, great job!  For you students, the hard work is over and the wait begins.  For us, the hard work is just getting started.

Our whole office has pitched in to help process your application credentials.  Keep in mind, that each piece we receive must be processed and filed, a process that can take a week from when you press “submit”.  So, if your WebAdvisor status reads “incomplete” and you’ve submitted pieces of your application recently, we probably have not processed it.  We will contact you when you have completed your application or if we are missing anything.

Good luck getting everything finished!

Meet PJ!

Name: Philip “PJ” Petrone

College, year, major: University of Rhode Island, 2000, Marine Resource Development and Human Development and Family Studies

Grad School, year, degree/concentration: New York Institute of Technology, 2004, MS – School Counseling

Recruitment Territories: California

Other Office Duties: Fall Evening Receptions, Holiday Parties, Summer Picnics, Class Profiles

Favorite –

Color: Red

Ice Cream Flavor: Pistachio

Book: Challenges by Dr. Robert Ballard

Movie: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi

Taco Truck Order: 2 Carne Asada Walla Walla Tacos and 2 Chicken Walla Walla Tacos, then add the hot sauce myself

Favorite thing about Whitman: I love that the students are so balanced. They work hard and play hard, but the definition of each is different for every student. That makes campus a fun and interesting place to be. The 300 days of sun is not too bad either!

Favorite place to eat in Walla Walla: T.Maccarones

Meet Bruce!

Name: Bruce J. Jones

College, year, major: Whitman, ’67, History

Grad School, year, degree/concentration: Wesleyan U, ’69, MAT, Urban Education; Cal Berkeley, ’77, Counseling Certificate

Recruitment Territories: New England, South, Southeast

Other Office Duties: Alumni/parent initiatives, fall counselor visits, “yield” events, office edits, college info database updates

Favorite –

Color: Don’t have one

Ice Cream Flavor: Coffee

Book: All the Pretty Horses, Cormac McCarthy

Movie: Breaking Away; Open Range

Taco Truck Order: Walla Walla Sweet Onions

Favorite thing about Whitman: Location, location, location

Favorite place to eat in Walla Walla: Creektown Café

Stuff I like to do: Cycle, road and mountain; walk in the woods; drink Walla Walla wines; hold babies; cook; write; putz around the house.

Running in Walla Walla

Do you get the REI or EMS catalog this time of year? You know the one with the runners clad in fleece vests wearing moisture wicking shirts underneath, lycra tights, a festive ski cap and gloves? They are striding across open terrain with the signature puffs of white streaming out of their mouths as they exhale into the cold winter air. That is what it is like running in Walla Walla during the winter, and a needed breath of fresh air for this transplant from Long Island, NY to Los Angeles, CA.

I love to run, and running in Walla Walla is a treat. It is interesting no matter where I go. The residential areas around campus are perfect for banging out a few miles before or after the work day. I can go from community to community taking in the architecture of homes built as Walla Walla was establishing a place on the map, and those that have been built in more recent years as Walla Walla has become a destination. The roads are not busy, the terrain is relatively flat and I am bound to come across a park or school at some point, no matter how far I am going.

Just beyond the easily manageable streets of Walla Walla lie the more challenging and picturesque “long runs” worthy of an REI cover which I like to set aside for the weekends or when I just need to get away. Approximately a mile north of campus the infamous wheat fields of the Walla Walla Valley begin to unfold. The miles are laid out along gently winding roads and rolling hills through the “amber waves of grain.” The sunrises and sunsets in the open fields are inspiration to go the extra distance. This is the perfect place to lose myself, but not get lost on an “out and back.”

When I am feeling adventurous and ready to push my limits the foothills of the Blue Mountains, rising up east of campus, beckon a distinct call. Bennington Lake and the miles of trails, both paved and dirt, flat and steep, have something to offer me all the time. They allow me to return to nature, observe local species and recognize my small place in the world. I can be surprised by the elements, staying sharp and agile amidst the unsure terrain. I always come home exhausted, but refreshed and feeling accomplished.

Running is one of the things that makes coming to Walla Walla even more fun and I know I have not even come close to seeing it all. I’m always looking for some company, so let me know when you are in town. We can explore new routes together. Happy Trails!

What is it like being from far away?

“Why do you want to go 3,000 miles away for college?” My mother must have asked me that question on a weekly basis throughout the entirety of my senior year of high school. While Whitman College is actually 2,983 miles from my home, my mother’s 17-mile over-exaggeration did nothing to dispel for feeling of foreignness the distance evoked in my 17-year old self. Growing up on the small island of Kaua’i, deep in the Pacific Ocean, I never found reason to leave my small corner of the world for more than 3 weeks prior to my departure for college. So, why then, did I apply almost exclusively to West Coast schools, giving up the lush, tropical heat and familiarity of a vast network of interconnected people? Like many high school seniors, I hoped college would provide me with a wealth of opportunities to explore, from which I’d garner an overabundance of experiences and figure out what I wanted from the world. What I found 2,983 miles from all that I knew was so much more than an understanding of what I wanted from the world, but a deep and meaningful realization of all I could offer to the world. I realize now that I could not have come to this understanding by relegating myself to the familiarity of what I’d always known.

For me, college was never a choice. Coming from a family where neither of my parents completed degrees at a four-year institution, it was instilled at an early age that more was expected of me. My parents did everything to provide me with the opportunities they were not afforded, but it was up to me to put in the hard work, to take the rigorous courses offered at my school, and to involve myself in service activities for which I was passionate. The small island of Kaua’i does not have any 4-year schools, so I’d always know I’d be leaving home for school. My line of thinking was: “Since I’m leaving anyway, why confine my search to in-state schools?”

Like many high school students, I cast my net wide, but eventually decided that several West Coast schools were the best fit for me, both academically and geographically. Out of the five schools I applied to, Whitman College out in Walla Walla, Washington drew me in the most because the familiarity of a supportive community appealed to me. Knowing that I would be heavily dependent on financial aid, I spent the majority of my senior year of high school trying to convince myself that any of the five schools I had applied to would provide me with an excellent education. However, by the time admittance letters began to arrive, Whitman was buoyed by rave reviews and found its way to the top of my list. From alumni to the random people I would meet in the grocery store that had some distant connection to an alumnus, I heard nothing but glowing recommendations about the small school in the Southeast corner of Washington state.

Looking back the six years it has been since I was a senior in high school, I know I would have gotten a decent education at any of the institutions to which I had applied, but what cannot be duplicated is the enthusiasm and loyalty of Whitman students. Leaving the community of my small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, I found another community, willing and waiting to accept me, support me, and inevitably, provide me with the tools to be an active citizen of the world. Hawai’i is where I’m from and it will always hold the title of home, but by challenging myself, to explore schools away from home, I was able to travel the world, gain perspective, and eventually earn myself a BA in English and an MA in Teaching. Now, when I go home to visit family, I’m asked: “Did you have to go 3,000 miles away to get a good education?” No, but I did have to travel 2,983 miles to find the education that was right for me.

Essay Tips and Tricks

Scene: You’re sitting glassy eyed, staring at your laptop. The curser is blinking and all you can think is “Admission officers read thousands of personal essays every year, how do I make mine stand out?” Well never fear young grasshopper, the Office of Admission at Whitman College is here to give you a few tips to help you find a great essay topic.

Reading personal essays is my favorite part of the application review process. It is the only time when I hear about the student directly from the best source, you! Thus, use this opportunity not to impress, but rather to enlighten me with something that you are chomping at the bit to share.

Some of my favorite essays over the years have been on topics that I personally have no interest in learning about, such as Star Wars, minor league baseball and snakes. But the student who wrote these essays were not trying to impress me with their Jedi knowledge or their pitching speed, instead they were sharing why these topics mean something to them. Admission officers typically do not read essays more then once, there just simply isn’t enough time in the day, but if an essay truly stands out we find the time to read it again, simply for the enjoyment of reading. This was the case with the three topics listed above even though I try to spend as little time thinking about snakes as possible!

Whitman College suggested Dos and Don’ts for College Admission Essays:

-  Do risk sharing something important to you; it will pay off in the end.

-  Do refrain from writing how you talk to your friends. Let your own voice speak through your essay.

-  Don’t just tell me you went on a mission/community service trip; tell me why you went and what you discovered.

-  Do write about a topic you’re interested in, it sure makes the writing process easier.

-  Don’t write non-fiction or creative pieces for your personal essay. If you want your creative writing viewed as a part of your application, include it as additional information.

-  Do have a friend, teacher or counselor read your essay once before hitting submit.

-  Don’t try to impress me, simply be honest and you will make an impression.

If after reading this blog you still find yourself stuck without a great topic I offer one last suggestion. Answer the following question:

If your house was burning down and you only had time to grab one thing from your bed room, what would it be?

Now think about that item, why did you pick it? Consider its significance to you, and if it’s something you would like to share in an essay. I asked a student this question last fall and she responded with the following, “I would grab a picture of my younger sister.” When I asked her why that picture was important she responded, “Because I’ve grown up in a single parent household and I’ve had to look after my sister.” This student’s essay topic ended up being about how she looked up to her Mom for raising three successful children on her own. We got all that from a picture of her sister. Let the item steer you down different paths, one will lead to your essay topic.

Last Minute Tips and Tricks

Hey Guys,

‘Tis the season to be finishing up your application process and it seems like every year I have a couple of uber-conscientious students asking me for application advice. So this year, I thought I’d spread the joy and share my last minute tips for all, both naughty and nice. Above all, remember that if you want to get the fat envelope present you’re hoping for, it’s paramount to be yourself! In addition, here are some tips to help make your winter break go smoothly…

· When you’re writing your personal essays and short answers, be sure to have a friend/teacher/parent edit your work before you submit it. Yes, checking for grammar and spelling IS important (you don’t want to look careless), but you also want to get a sense for whether or not your writing SOUNDS like you. If it comes across as too wordy, over-written, or cliché, it’s time to edit.

· Second, take a minute and think about telling us a little more about who you are in the “additional information” section of the Common App. Most students ignore that part and I think it’s a missed opportunity to shed some light about yourself. Tell us about a hobby you have, explain a grade trend or choice in classes, or share your to-do list for life… anything goes!

· Don’t forget to double-check with your teachers and counselors that they have submitted their recommendations for you. Many students forget that these wonderful educators are writing dozens (maybe even a hundred) recs this time of year. Tell them how grateful you are for their time and check-in to be sure that your letter has been sent and isn’t hiding under a lump of coal somewhere.

· The clock struck twelve and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a… Whitman applicant? Don’t procrastinate. I know– it sounds obvious, but you would be surprised at how many of your peers put off submitting their application until the last second. I’m talking 2 minutes ‘til midnight on January 15! Don’t be that student. Think about how great it will feel to go back to school after the New Year knowing you’ve already submitted your complete application.

Good luck with everything Friends. We know you’re working hard! Keep it up: graduation is just around the corner.

What happens to my application once I click submit?

When your application is submitted online, it is stored on the Common  Application website. Our support staff download it from the Common  Application website and process it so that we get all your information  in our system. When all your items are received (either online or by  paper) then we will send you a complete letter confirming this. Once  your application is complete then the admission officers read your  application and make an admission decision.

Season’s Greetings from Whitman’s Admission Staff

It’s hard to believe we’ve hit the middle of December already…where has this year gone? As the holiday season is upon us, my staff and I know what looms around the corner for us—application reading season. We hope you have a chance to take a breather from exams, papers and presentations for school, and yet dedicate some time to polishing essays, reflecting upon your interests and experiences in school and finishing your resume, and touch base with your teachers and counselor to ensure they have completed their portions of the Common Application.

I’m sure you can imagine the amount of time it takes our dedicated staff to process the influx of applications submitted on or near the deadline. Students begin calling and emailing our office in panic mode because our website reflects their application status as incomplete. It may be we have all of the student’s credentials, but it takes us a good two weeks just to process what’s submitted at the last minute. For students who apply days; a week; two weeks before the deadline, our staff is prepared and capable of processing their application in a timely fashion. These applications that complete earlier then get distributed for admission officers to review. It makes our lives easier the more we can spread the 7,000 applications (we receive about 3,500 applications and every app is read by two admission officers) out over 8-10 weeks. Also, occasionally a credential remains missing after the student submits his/her application. The earlier we process your application, the sooner we can communicate with you if we still need a credential to complete your file.

So, while you hopefully have time to see friends and family, eat well and get some much deserved relaxation from a busy school year, I hope you’ll spend some time fine tuning and completing your applications and even consider hitting “submit” in late December/early January, weeks before Whitman’s stated deadline. Our staff will be ready to process your materials and the admission officers and I will be honored to read your application when it completes. Best wishes with the preparation of your application and Happy Holidays from the Whitman Admission Staff.

Sincerely,
Kevin Dyerly

Director of Admission

A Road Warrior Returns Home

Home on the Cape (MA) for reading season. Craig wasn’t wearing a tie. He came from XC practice with an allergic dripping nose and asked me about our 3/2 engineering dual degree program with Cal Tech and Columbia. Great kid, an easy admit.

Turned in the Kia rental two weeks ago after 6600 New England fall miles. Watched the landscape go from jungle green to fall splendor to plowed corn fields dusted with snow: The frost is on the pumpkin. Enterprise didn’t notice the little dent on the trunk, compliments of a mailbox I backed into. Ended up doing a total of 80 school visits/college fairs and about the same number of interviews. A personal record (PR to those of you who are jocks): Didn’t get stood up once for an interview appointment!

It gets weird on the road—highs and lows of meeting great kids and interested counselors followed by school visits with no kids and counselors too busy or uninterested to be bothered. Willy Loman territory. Meals ranging from Mickey D’s to local sandwich shops where everyone knows your name (mine apparently is “Hon”), to plastic chains, to wonderful little Thai and Chinese places that cost almost nothing. And dependable Hampton Inns with their compact exercise rooms and gross but filling breakfasts.

Admission officers follow the seasons: Fall is travel season, winter is reading season. As a regional officer working from my home, I’ll pull on my winter sweats and read over 1,000 apps in my basement dungeon. My neck and shoulders will complain, apps will bore me and make me cry. I’ll email the occasional kid whose essay knocks my socks off and later, when my wife comes home from work, I’ll read her the essay and start dripping tears again. A kid who comes alive in their app makes my day, my year. I love what I do.