on being a college admissions counselor

People are fascinated by the college admissions process. I remember thinking about the "power" that college admissions counselors had when I was going through the process. They really seemed to have my future in their hands. I think that's why I baked Daryl Jones rice crispies treats. I wanted him to like me, ultimately admitting me into G-burg.

And now, ten years later, I sit in his seat (except at Towson...and I'm still waiting for my rice crispies treats, although i'm not so sure I would eat them). I find the idea that I hold and intimidating or powerful position very funny. Yet the perception still remains. My primary care physician, Dr. Sibila brings my profession into conversation every time I see him. "Have you filled the class?" "Are you gearing up for another year?" "Your job must be very fulfilling..." Yes, I do find my job fulfilling, but I think that many think that I hold the key to some type of mystery, some sort of secret that they believe the college admissions process is. I have to laugh when my Tuesday night classmate Kim, asks me if I crushed anyones dreams that day (she asks this same question every class). I always respond with, "I hope not". Unfortunately, most of the decisions I make are not personal decisions at all. There are certainly students that I connect with on the road, during chats, or via email, but more often than not, their apps are read by someone else (or by me without even knowing it). I have developed a sense of skepticism when reading essays (something that I was warned as a rookie would come with age). Do students tell the truth? Did the student actually write the essay? How are we going to read 17000 applications this year?
The funniest part is, being an admissions counselor isn't a glamorous job at all. In my first few years, I spent weeks on the road and worked long hours. My former employer didn't even awarded comp time. Once we're winding down with travel, we're flooded with applications, THOUSANDS of applications. and open houses. and chats. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my job! Just think of me this fall and winter, running everywhere, giving presentations in my sleep, and reading pages and pages about sports injuries, heros and after school jobs.