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Balance Category

Stupid Things Admissions People Say

Jan. 27, 2009—From time to time I'm asked to serve as a panelist for high schools hosting "junior nights." These are opportunities for students and their parents to come out and hear from college "experts." They're usually fun affairs for us, as we get to put down your employer's banner for a little bit, field questions and get a pulse for what's on people's minds. Not too long ago, I sat on one in Chicago and something happened there that has had me thinking for about a while now about the state of the whole admissions field and where our profession has gone wrong.

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Super Mega Hella-Blizzard 2009

Jan. 20, 2009—A blizzard of another kind is winding down at 2305 West End Ave at the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. During the height of the days surrounding our January 3rd application deadline, our operations staff was handling an avalanche of mail. On January 5th we received 30 bins of mail. That following week, each day brought an additional 10 bins of materials to our office.

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Giving Thanks

Nov. 26, 2008—This morning I found a very close parking spot. And for that, I am thankful. Thanksgiving week is upon us and campus has emptied out. It is strange and a bit unnerving to work on a college campus during holiday seasons. With no students around, it’s just not as fun. Still, it’s nice to know...

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And Then There Were Files: ED I and Front Yard Football

Nov. 18, 2008—It was a moment a couple Sundays ago.  On the couch, my 2.5 year old playing quietly on the floor in front of me, the Titans game on in front of him.  Nothing too remarkable about the exact moment really when I realized this would be last weekend without file reading.  The clicking of Matchbox...

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Price in The World Series…

Oct. 26, 2008—It has been a few weeks since I’ve posted. This year my travels have brought me far and wide. Still, I can’t resist the opportunity to express how exciting it is to see Vandy grad (and Tennessee native) David Price pitching on the biggest stage in baseball. If you haven’t heard the ultra feel-good story...

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Gameday Coming to Vanderbilt: students already making ESPN acronym signs

Sep. 29, 2008—There are two things I learned yesterday that I didn’t know the day before: 1) The largest truck stop in the world is right outside of Davenport, Iowa.  I mean it’s huge.  Driving to Chicago from Des Moines (for college fairs and high school visits), you can’t miss it.  It takes like a full minute...

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Get your nose out of a book?

Sep. 26, 2008—Not sure you if guys saw this week’s VUCast but it opens up a nice window into some of the cool things our professors are doing in classes at Vandy.  The video chronicles an English class discussion on the history and culture of coal mining held at a professor’s house with music superstar Kathy Mattea in attendance.   I find that...

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Tennesee Rocks (and Twangs)

Jun. 9, 2008—Random Stranger on Airplane: So, where are you from?Brad: Nashville.Random Stranger on Airplane: Do you like Country music?Brad: Not really. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve engaged in this conversation, I could buy every record I’ve ever wanted to own from the record store. If only I could pay for the gas...

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