The Friday before New Year’s Day tends to be a very busy one in the Admissions Office at Holy Cross. It is the final day for on-campus interviews, so counselors are very busy talking with applicants about their goals, activities, academic interests, etc. The mail, which does not stop coming during the Christmas vacation, has been held at our campus post office until the office opens after Christmas, and so buckets of mail are delivered on this day. It’s also a very busy day for the phone. Students and parents are calling about interviews, about their application, and, if they are Early Decision candidates, are wondering when they will be hearing back from us. On the other side of things, you students aren’t as busy (that’s why we have so many appointments and phone calls). I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, but actually good, because it gives you an opportunity to reflect on your college application process.For many of you, these days allow you to breathe a sigh of relief. PHEW! Applications have been completed (or should be soon for you procrastinators), recommendation letters have been sent, papers have been handed in and tests have been taken. Take advantage of the opportunity to catch your breath and read over your application. I hope you have saved a copy somewhere! Start reading with a clear mind and try to imagine that you don’t know whose application you are reading – because in many cases, we haven’t met you before. Look over those activities that you’ve listed on page 3…what do they say about you? Turn to page 6 and re-read your personal statement for the 800th time (hopefully)…is it still the best paper you’ve written about yourself?
Most importantly, I want to you think about whether you think that your application shows the reader who you are as a person – you the student, you the musician, you the employee, you the athlete. When reading an application, we are looking for you to tell us everything about who you are. The more information we have, the more informed our reading can be. If you suddenly feel as if you’ve left something out, well, it happens…don’t panic! Take this time to identify exactly what is missing from your application and try to figure out a way to tell us about it, then send it along. We’d love to hear more about you!
Patrick Maloney ’02
Assistant Director of Admissions
Assistant Director of Admissions
I know you’re all dying to go behind the scenes of our “Holiday Card.” Well here are some of the answers to the thousands of questions that have poured in. Okay, actually no questions have been to us, but these are my guesses about the questions you are secretly quite curious about:
You’ve worked four long years in high school – history term papers, trig exams, chemistry labs, art projects, summer reading quizzes – and then finally, senior year, you tackle the Common Application. You write your name, address, mom’s name, dad’s name, high school’s name, etc. Then it’s time for the short answer – you rack your brain for an experience, an activity that you can talk about in 150 words or fewer that will be impressive to the admissions officer and reflective of your interests. And then, the final push, you sit down to write the essay. But someone gave you good advice, so you listen to your sparrow and write an essay of which you feel proud.
