Admission: Not Impossible

There are so many wonderful qualities to Holy Cross that it’s hard to just focus on one…but that is my assignment for this entry.  Of all the characteristics that define Holy Cross, the one that impresses me the most is our active commitment  to social justice and service.  Having been at two other small liberal arts institutions prior to coming to Holy Cross, I have seen three different versions of the small, undergraduate liberal arts experience,  and the main differentiation for me is the call to service that stems from our Jesuit mission.  Helping those in need is something that is personally and professionally important to me and I always felt somewhat alone in my commitment to social issues but when I came here, I was pleasantly blown away by the strength of Holy Cross’s commitment to serving the greater community.  Students, faculty and staff truly believe in the Jesuit mission to serve others and because of our mission, there is a certain tone of caring and compassion on campus that I just haven’t seen anywhere else.  I find myself constantly inspired and challenged to find more meaningful ways to help and serve because of the environment here at Holy Cross.

Tran Kim-Senior
Assistant Director of Admissions
Coordinator of Multicultural Recruitment

We know you have a big decision to make.  Over the next few weeks, members of the Holy Cross community will share their thoughts on what makes Holy Cross so special.

As a newcomer to the Holy Cross community, I am often asked “Why Holy Cross?” The thing I love the most about Holy Cross is quite simple:  We have motivated, interesting students.

From my interactions with various students on campus, I have come to find that our students have an amazingly wide variety of interests.  Each individual pursues their passions fiercely, whatever they may be.  I have met the Music/Premed major who is also the president of the ballroom dance team and volunteers through SPUD (Student Programs for Urban Development). I have met the Studio Art major who hosts students through Admissions Office, but also participates in one of the most spirited organizations on campus, the Purple Key Society. I have met the undeclared first year student who is part of Oxfam America, Best Buddies, plays on the Women’s Rugby team, and is a Eucharistic minister.  No matter what a student’s interest might be, they are encouraged to pursue it during their four short years here.  And although I was not a student here during my undergraduate years, I have come to love this campus and its students as if it were my very own.

Lauren D. Thornton
Admissions Counselor

We know you have a big decision to make.  Over the next few weeks, members of the Holy Cross community will share their thoughts on what makes Holy Cross so special.

So what do I love about Holy Cross?  Simply put: the people who comprise the community.  From the Trustees, to the President, alumni, students, faculty and staff, this is an institution with a seemingly unending lineage of truly amazing people.  They are passionate, sensitive, engaged people who are committed not only to their own edification, but also to those they teach, those they serve, and those they sit and debate and exchange ideas with in- and out- of class.  They’re committed to service, social justice, and to living out the mission of being men and women for others.  They’re a community of people, committed to their own pursuits while being interested and engaged with those around them.

James T. Richardson
Associate Director of Admission
FACHEX Coordinator

We know you have a big decision to make.  Over the next few weeks, members of the Holy Cross community will share their thoughts on what makes Holy Cross so special.

I love Holy Cross because the people here really look after one another.  Before coming here,  I had never experienced such a selfless community. Here,  getting lost in the crowd is impossible.  If you lose your student ID card, start to feel homesick,  or need help with a class,  there will be ten people there to help you get back on track.  You’re not in this college thing alone.  If you ever need help, you just have to say the word (and usually help is there before you can finish the thought).

Amanda Juriansz
Assistant Director of Community Outreach

We know you have a big decision to make.  Over the next few weeks, members of the Holy Cross community will share their thoughts on what makes Holy Cross so special.

What does the College of the Holy Cross have in common with famous designers like Oscar de la Renta, Nanette Lepore, Vivenne Tam, Monique Lhuillier, and Carolina Herrera?  The color purple.

Having attended Holy Cross for four fabulous years I have acquired more purple than most people can fathom:  I love my purple Holy Cross t-shirt that I wore to my first Holy Cross football game.  I love my purple polka-dotted belt that I wore for two amazing summers as a Gateways Orientation Leader.  I love my purple headband that I sported at every home basketball game.  I love my purple shorts that I wore when I saw Guster in concert during Spring Weekend of my sophomore year.  I love my purple shoulder-bag that lugged class books to Dinand library numerous times a week.  I love my purple tights that I put on before going to Holy Cross’ on-campus pub my senior year.  I love my purple “Holy Cross 2008” banner that now hangs proudly in my office.

Like all Holy Cross Crusaders, I love purple, I have a lot of it, and I am ready for this spring fashion statement.  At Holy Cross we are clearly ahead of the fashion curve.  We have been wearing purple for ages, and we’ve always made purple look good.

Alyssa Trometter
Admissions Counselor

We know you have a big decision to make.  Over the next few weeks, members of the Holy Cross community will share their thoughts on what makes Holy Cross so special.

As I was walking through the Admissions Office waiting room, I overheard one of our students speaking with a group of visitors.  “I absolutely love it here!  I can’t imagine myself anywhere else,”

That is what I love about Holy Cross.  Our students are not only amazing, they are amazingly happy.

I encourage you to take some time to learn why.  On April 15th and 22nd,  log on to our on-line chats and “talk” to our students about their experiences here.  Come to the Open House on April 19th and see first hand what is unique and special about Holy Cross.

Ann McDermott
Director of Admissions

To the Holy Cross Office of Admissions:

I just received my decision letter, and you guys got it WRONG.  JUST PLAIN WRONG.

P.S.  WRONG

Sound about right?
We in the Admissions Office recognize that many of you are pretty disappointed right now and we just want you to know — we understand,  we know this is tough, and we’re really bummed, too.

The frustration you’re feeling is indeed justifiable.  You’re probably brilliant, hard working, charismatic, thoughtful, and talented.  You’re a three sport captain.  A class president.  An Irish step dancing mathlete.  A bassoon-playing robotics champion.  And on top of all of that, you are getting an A in AP Calc!  You are an admit-a-la-mode.  It may not feel like it right now, but we think the world of you.  And though you may have visions of us sitting around some big table, laughing devilishly, drumming our fingers together a’ la Mr. Burns, casting out careless decisions while contemplating the many delicious ways to destroy your life, the fact is, none of us enjoy letting you down.  Our decision making committee consists of a bunch of sappy, sensitive nerds, who’ve committed the last four months of their lives to meticulously scouring your applications for every morsel of goodness.  Deciding between such wonderful and often equally deserving students is incredibly grueling, and simply heartbreaking.  Smiling devilishly? No.  We rather feel like sulking in the corner.

Please try not to doubt yourself or wonder what you could have done differently.  Due to an insanely competitive applicant pool, we simply couldn’t admit all of the admissible applicants we wanted to.   So, while we hope you can trust that we did our best to make the fairest decisions we could, we acknowledge and understand your disappointment.

Please know that you are all stars.  You’re part of the most exceptionally talented applicant pool Holy Cross has ever seen, and we’re confident that wherever you end up, you’ll find unlimited success.

Julia Sanders
Admissions Counselor