Admissions officers blog about search and application process
Christine Freije
Year: 2013
Hometown: Worcester, Massachusetts
Major(s): Undeclared
Why I love Holy Cross: The people. I’ve found that Holy Cross attracts students who are extremely intelligent, but still down to earth. I’ve felt comfortable here discussing everything from academia to pop culture with my professors and fellow students. I’ve loved being at a liberal arts school that values not only grades and numbers, but also each student’s personal growth.
Emily White
Year: 2012
Hometown: Holden, Massachusetts
Major(s): History
Minor: Studio Art
Why I love Holy Cross: Holy Cross fit everything I was looking for on paper, and once I visited, I knew I couldn’t stay away for very long. Aside from all of the people I’ve met here, I love the creativity of HC students – whether it be working or having fun: exploring my campus every day, tray sliding in the winter; even working in Kimball Dining Hall.
Additionally, the “May Term” Luxembourg program was an incredible and unique study abroad experience.
Mostly I love that everyone is able to find their passions here, and make them their own.
I’m looking forward to meeting you on a summer tour of Holy Cross!
If you’re just starting the college admissions process, you’re probably feeling a little overwhelmed by all the things that you need to do. Luckily, you have nearly three months to get yourself together and organized for the application process that awaits you in the fall. Here are some things that you can do to maximize your summer leading into the college application process to better position yourself for a fall filled with less stress.
Tip #1: Visit as many different colleges as possible.
If you have no clue as to what kind of school you want to attend, visit a large variety from technical schools to large schools to small schools to art schools. See how they feel to you when you set foot on their campuses, and from there you will get a better sense of what is right for you. Don’t judge a school only by the materials you read. These materials are marketing materials to stimulate your interest in the school so they’re all going to look good based on the brochures you get. It’s in your best interest to set foot on these campuses to get a sense of what the place is like behind the brochure. If you already know that you want a certain kind of school, then visit several different ones in that category. So if you want a small liberal arts school, visit one near a city, another one that’s in a rural location, and so forth. There are over 4,000 schools and we are all different from another in some way. Here is a great worksheet from US News to help you document each institution you visit.
Good luck, and check back for more advice in the coming months!
Tran Kim-Senior
Assistant Director of Admissions
Coordinator of Multicultural Recruitment
Every spring, I find myself at college fairs speaking with students about Holy Cross. During my conversations, I can’t tell you the number of times students inquire about becoming involved in the sciences while on our campus. A few weeks ago our staff took a personal tour of the new science complex on campus. Below are some photos from the experience:
A side view of the Integrated Science Complex.
Senior Owen Fenton works on chemistry as part of his Fenwick Scholar presentation entitled “Chemical Body Armor: A Study on Phosphorus.”
The new labs are designed specifically to promote hands – on exploration.
The Complex makes high-level science “visible” by utilizing an abundance of glass and natural light in interior and exterior construction.
Suzanne R. Timmons
Assistant Director of Admissions
Seniors … its hard to believe you’re “done”, right? Well, “done” with high school anyway … College in the fall awaits! While one chapter seems to be ending, another is just about to begin! If you’re a high school senior and reading this blog, chances are good you’re planning on beginning a new chapter here on Mt. St. James in the fall. Indeed, much excitement awaits you. There will be new friends to make, a new place to live, new classes in which to engage, and loads of newfound independence. Of course, there may also be a bit of anxiety mixed in with all that excitement too, but don’t worry, we’ve got that covered! Gateways Summer and Fall Orientation is the answer! Your next step is to carve out the time to attend the Summer Gateways Orientation; you’ll be happy you did.
For those of you who are Juniors, your journey through the college search is just beginning. By now you may have visited one or two colleges on your February or April spring vacation weeks, but many more opportunities lie ahead throughout the summer. Your next step: INTERVIEW. One of the best ways to personalize your process is to have an interview with an Admissions Counselor or one of our Senior or Alumni Interviewers. Personal admission interviews have already begun, and are highly recommended for all students who can do them. Simply call the Admissions Office [800/442.2421] to schedule your appointment or for more information.
Whether you are a high school junior, senior, or parent of a student, we look forward to welcoming you here to Holy Cross in the coming months and to share with you many of our success stories!
James T. Richardson
Associate Director of Admission
FACHEX Coordinator
Holy Cross’ first year program, Montserrat, has been the subject of many questions from students and parents over the past few years. The conversation usually begins, “I read about that program, Mont….?” Though many struggle with the pronunciation (sound it out-it’s easier than it looks!), most are intrigued by its goals and excited to participate.
For those of you who have never heard of Montserrat, or those of you who are excited about it but still don’t completely understand what it is, this blog’s for you.
Learning: Your Montserrat seminar
-the Montserrat seminar is one of your four courses during your freshman year
-it’s a year-long course (other courses are semester-long)
-there will be only first-year students in the class (you may have upperclassmen in other courses)
-classes are small and discussion-based
-students select their top choices (from nearly fifty seminars) and are placed in one of those classes
-some seminars are team-taught by two or more professors
-sample seminars from 2009-2010: The Structure of the Mind, Violence & Non-Violence and Literature & Science
Living: Residence hall life
-first year students are housed in three residence halls
-students are grouped together by cluster (groups of seminars) ensuring that all students in your seminar will also live in your residence hall
-students participate in programming like banquet dinners, documentary screenings, and author talks
Doing: Getting involved in the campus community and beyond
Past students have:
-conducted a memoir-writing workshop to help local high school students find their voices
-organized a student panel discussion about racial and ethnic relations on college campuses
-interviewed Southeast Asian-Americans in Worcester about their life histories
-received special training from Worcester Art Museum curators to lead visitors through an Italian painting exhibition
To learn more, visit the Montserrat website.
Lynn Verrecchia
Sr. Assistant Director of Admissions
College of the Holy Cross •1 College Street, Worcester, MA 01610 •508-793-2011
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