College-bound students and their parents heard important and timely information from admissions administrators from top public and private colleges during the 2019 College Night: Admission Deans’ Panel held January 24 at The Oakridge School.
The event welcomed Christopher Gruber, Vice President and Dean of Admission and Financial Aid at Davidson College; Becky Konowicz, Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Admission at Santa Clara University; Mitch Warren, Director of Admissions at Purdue University; and, Miguel Wasielewski, Executive Director of Admissions at The University of Texas at Austin.
From the onset, Mr. Gruber explained how an increasing number of colleges are filling the pipeline through early admissions and encouraged parents and students to physically visit campuses in which they are interested. “Let it be a marathon,” he said. “It should not be a sprint. [When visiting a college] go to the parts of the campus that the tour guides don’t show you. See the good and the ugly.”
Mr. Warren spoke to what he sees as the college-ready student and how such individuals should express themselves on their college application essay. “Be real. Tell your story because it might make a difference in a situation in which other things are equal.” He gave, as an example, two students who both have taken rigorous courses in high school, earned great grades, both performed community service, and the difference-maker could be the essay.
Dr. Wasielewski and Ms. Konowicz also underscored the need for authenticity and demonstrating genuine interest in colleges and universities. As for community service, she urged applicants not to simply provide a long list of volunteer work that they did, but to explain how the experience impacted them or influenced their decision to study a particular field in college.
After the panel discussion, the experts moved from the Fine Arts Performance Hall to Upper School classrooms where they addressed smaller groups, allowing for parents and students to ask more specific questions related to:
- Making Sense of Standardized Testing
- Crafting Your Story
- Current Trends in College Admission
- Selective Public University Admission
The Oakridge College Advising Office and Oakridge Parents’ Club sponsored the 2019 College Night: Admission Deans’ Panel.