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Open House Reflections

Kelli The weather was great (sunny and warm) and the mood positive, as over 1500 students, parents, family members, and friends joined us this past Sunday for our Accepted Student Open House. Below I’ve listed a few of my favorite things from the day.  If you weren’t able to join us, you missed an information-packed event (but never fear, we’re still available to give you closure on any unanswered questions—Admissions Office: 508-793-2443/800-442-2421).  If you were with us, I hope you and your family enjoyed yourselves.  See if your “best of” list from the day aligns with mine.

3. The chocolate covered cannolis.  These fantastically tasty treats were just one of the many yummy dessert options prepared by our great Dining Services staff for our Open House. As a student, such desserts are available to order whenever you want! (Kimball Sweet Shoppe Menu)

2. Getting my photo taken with the Holy Cross mascot.  Many of you seemingly had to be cajoled into posing with our Crusader, but I know that reticence was just for show.  Secretly, you’re more than a little excited about your souvenir.

1. Talking with all of you!  In many ways this is the best time of the year for the Admissions staff.  We first met many of you last spring/summer.  We then saw you at high school visits, fairs, and evening information sessions in the fall.  This winter, as we read through your applications, we came to know you even better.  Each and every one of you, who was offered admission to our Class of 2012, is someone we’ve gotten to know in one way or the other.  For us, Open House is wonderful because we get to re-make your acquaintance.  We really enjoy the opportunity to see and talk with all of you smart, fantastic, interesting people.  We’re invested in you.  We truly think purple is your color, and we hope to see you on campus this fall!

[Visit the accepted student website and click on “View the accepted student open house card »” near the bottom of the homepage (under our director’s letter), to view our thank you to you for coming.]

Kelli Powell
Assistant Director of Admissions
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Worcester – The Greatest City on Earth

Drew In one of my earlier posts this year, I lauded the many benefits of Worcester, specifically tacos, tea and trails.  But, now that it’s April and high school seniors are making finally their choices for college, it’s time that I stepped up my game just a bit.  While in my earlier post, it may have seemed as though I had a crush on Worcester, that is simply not true.  I am here today to reveal myself, to proclaim my deepest feelings – this is no crush.  This is true love.

But enough about me.  The real question is – why should YOU love Worcester?  Answering that question is a challenge I gladly accept.

I’m sure everyone is very familiar with all the famous things that were invented here in Worcester – electricity, beauty, the automobile, nuclear weapons, monkeys and flowers.  But one of our inventions that sometimes gets overlooked will most certainly have a serious impact on your college experience – pizza.  But, Worcester does not rest on its laurels for simply inventing pizza – we continue to hone our craft.  The world’s best pizza makers are here in Worcester today.  Let me highlight just a few:

CORNER GRILLE: thin crust, cut in squares, enough variety to keep you entertained for more than four years.  WARNING: If you’re afraid of improving the deliciousness of your life, do not eat their pizza.

WONDER BAR: a Worcester landmark on its most famous street – Shrewsbury Street.  They’re too busy making their homemade sauce to make a website so you’ll have to believe me when I say their pizza will inspire you.  Don’t believe me?  Well, ask singer Martin Sexton who wrote the lyrics to one of the best albums of the decade while sitting at their counter eating one of their pepperoni pies.

PEPPERCORNS: all you need to know about this place is what they themselves say on their website: “We believe we have created the best Neapolitan (thin crust) pizza on Earth.”  That may sound arrogant but it’s not because they’re right.  They have created the best thin crust pizza on Earth.

CIAO BELLA: they don’t waste their time with silly things such as websites or credit cards.  They spend every hour of every day focused on creating a circus in your mouth.  So bring your cash and bring your flashlight so that when you take your first bite, you can open up and shine a spotlight on the greatest show on Earth.

So come to Worcester for the tacos, the tea, the trails and the pizza and as a bonus, while you’re here, we’ll get you a liberal education that is second to none.

Andrew N Carter
Associate Director of Admissions
College of the Holy Cross
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I’ve Received My Letter, and I’m Not Happy

JuliaTo 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 a record breaking number of applications totaling well over 7,200 (200 more than last year), and 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