Adventures in Admission

The third Monday of every January is a joyous occasion for all students, teachers and federal employees: a day off. But the stickers I saw today all said, “This isn’t a day off, this is a day ON.” Today, Monday, January 16, 2012 is a day ON: A day of remembrance, a day of unity, a day of thought, a day of action, community, speech, civic action, civil liberties, youth and power. Today, we celebrate the life and accomplishments of Doctor Reverend Martin Luther King Junior, and we celebrate the voices of our community and the freedom and opportunity we have to use those voices.

Here at DU, the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning (CCESL) hopes to engage those voices. CCESL encourages the involvement of college students in the Denver community doing volunteer work that is more sustainable and beneficial both to the student and the community partner. Through CCESL, DU students may partner with Public Achievement – an international organization aimed at promoting student involvement in the community to address problems and actively engage with citizenship and democracy. Us DU students partner with local high schools and serve with them every week to directly promote civic action and empowerment. In the last few months we have talked about diversity, power, democracy and how each of these concepts relate to our every day lives as youth in America. What better way to explore these ideas than to join our larger, Denver community in celebration of a man who embodied the adversity we face and the respect we deserve in search of our own voice.

With frozen toes, fingers and noses, DU coaches and students from South, KIPP and Manual High Schools huddled together anxiously awaiting the direction of someone in charge. Some simple posters, illustrating concerns of college and high school students alike are drawn up. A few steaming cups of hot chocolate, a handful of free goodies, and an impatient wait in the line for the outhouses later; a troop of young girls marches single-file past the crowd, dressed in bright purple cheer uniforms, carrying pom-poms. A crowd of City Year volunteers gather together, sporting their striking red jackets. A little girl donned in pink runs by offering bright blue 2012 Obama campaign stickers. Group after group unfurls their banner. Up With People joins the crowd with a dozen or more full-sized flags from countries represented by the current batch of volunteers, performers and travelers. Yellow Caution tape is used to designate the start of the Marade, and, after nearly two hours of trying to keep our extremities warm, we start to walk.

As the group turns on to Colfax and the road widens, groups spread out, breaking from the tight huddles that permeated the staging area at City Park. We get enveloped by the students of Up With People and join in with the chants of the group beside us, hoping to end police brutality against minorities. I get caught inside the blowing fabric of the Iraqi flag as I maneuver my way to get a better view of the men playing drums by the side of the road. I think on purpose I quickly lost track of the majority of my group. It was nice to feel included walking down a street of strangers. I knew what I was walking for. I was walking for voices; the ones we don’t hear in society. I was walking for victims of abuse and discrimination; for refugees and immigrants; for individuals that suffer from physical and mental afflictions; for those who simply need a hand. I was walking for myself and to start a dialogue on mental health and the ease with which this community could assist so many suffering from depression, schizophrenia and bipolar diseases. I know what I was walking for, and it was a great opportunity for me to ask what other people are walking for.

Today, people walked for education instead of incarceration; people walked in support of human rights and prosecution of international criminals; people walked with their churches and synagogues and temples; people walked wearing their identities on their sleeves, but everyone walked with the idea that as a community, when we are united we are strong, and there is no obstacle we cannot overcome.

As I spoke with each consecutive marcher, I took with me small pearls of wisdom. Wally, of the Islamic Nation, reminded me that faith should not divide us, but unite us in humanity. Bart, from Holland, observed that he had spent too much time out of touch with his community, and that he was eager to return and change that. Some of my students from South High School, joking around in Ethiopian, made me realize that Denver is home to colorful and diverse languages and cultures. To watch my students embrace friends they hadn’t expected to see and to hear them talk excitedly about why they were present assured me that I wasn’t the only one who learned something today.

At some point today, I realized that I expect more from humanity. I think the norm is that communities come together for events like Martin Luther King Jr. Day, or Fourth of July, or after a tragedy like 9/11. But what about the other 360 some other days of the year? In my head and my heart, every day should feel like today. Every day, people should be going out of their way to engage their neighbors in conversation, to listen to what someone else has to say, and to reach out a hand to those in need – whether they need something as simple as food, or as abstract as a voice. Maybe it was after CCESL provided us all lunch, sitting in Civic Center Park, as dozens of individuals came and asked us if we had food to spare. Maybe it was the two little girls, obviously fending for themselves, that meekly asked if there was anything left for them.

At some point today, in conversation or in observation, I realized that more has to be done. More college students need to give back to the high schools that taught them to value education. More adults need to give back to those still finding their feet, because not too long ago, they had a lot more in common. More citizens need to give back to their communities, because not all people are privileged enough to have their voice heard or their vote counted.

To my community, at the University of Denver, comprised of students, professors, faculty, administration, families and support staff in every field; we need to do (DU) more. While we come from extremely diverse backgrounds, in all regards, we have this university in common. After all we are a great private university, dedicate to the public good. CCESL is a start, but we can do a whole lot more. Please don’t wait another year to march with Denver in the Marade. Start engaging with your community today. Visit the CCESL office, volunteer in your neighborhood, but most important be mindful of your words and your actions. Take responsibility for your decisions, and be thankful for the opportunity you had to make it with your own free will. Celebrate your voice, and give voice to others. 

Transfer students at DU

TRANSFERS ARE DIFFERENT….or should I say unique.  Don’t be fooled by first-year deadlines, etc.  They don’t apply to you.  There is still plenty of time to submit your application and supporting materials.  We are just now beginning to read applications for summer and fall.  We are full for spring which is why it is important to remember that transfers are admitted on a rolling, space available basis.  I know many of you want your current semester/quarter grades to be considered and that shouldn’t be a problem.  We traditionally have room through at least June as many of you don’t make your final decision to transfer until then.  However, the sooner you get your application in, the better, especially for financial aid.

Speaking of financial aid, there is some really good news on the transfer front…we have increased our merit scholarship amounts! Scholarships now range from $5,000 per year to $11,000 per year starting with fall 2012.  My mantra for this year is, “Grades count!”  This is also the time of the year, now that the Broncos are out of the playoffs, to start applying for need-based aid.  Go to www.du.edu/finaid to fill out both the FAFSA and CSS PROFILE and don’t forget to search for outside scholarships as well.  DO NOT WAIT UNTIL YOU ARE ACCEPTED TO SUBMIT YOUR FORMS. 

I hope you are all having a good new year.  The more than 40 transfer students who joined us for winter quarter are settling in nicely.  We hope to welcome at least 200 new students for summer and fall to join our new first-year students in becoming Pioneers.  I hope you’ll be one of them.  DU has a lot to offer in addition to great academics.  We hold a special “Discoveries” orientation right before school starts to help welcome transfers into our Pioneer family.  DU has over 100 clubs and organizations so there is something for everyone.  We want you to get motivated, get involved, make lifelong friends and generally have a wonderful college experience.

Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns.  Unfortunately, I’m still working limited hours due to injury so it may not be as quickly as I’d like. I will be out attending many of Colorado’s community college transfer fairs this spring so look for my table and stop by to say hello.  Hang in there; I’ll always get back to you.

Virginia (Ginny) Egan, Transfer Coordinator

 

Racing the clock

It is Tuesday, January 17th.  Our Regular Action application deadline was on Sunday. Did you make it? Were you up late that night putting finishing touches on your essay? The essay you have known about since September, but just needed some inspiration before you could finish (or even start) - inspiration that only seems to come in the form of the clock ticking down the days, hours - wait - now only minutes, before the deadline (I ask in that knowing voice of someone that is all too familiar with writing to the deadline).

If you had already submitted all your materials, and this past Sunday was just, well, another Sunday, I salute you!  As a member of the Enrollment Services team, we are in charge of processing all the application materials.   We download all the electronic mail, scan all the paper mail, and make sure everything is matched to the correct application so our admission counselors can read the files and prepare for debate. Our job is so much easier when everything is submitted well before the deadline as there is more time to make sure everything is attached to your file, and more time to let you know if something is missing.  Perhaps you have even received our complete email, letting you know that all your required documents are in, and you can just sit back and relax (if that is possible) while you wait for the decision letters to arrive (which for DU Regular Action applicants is mid-March).  However, if my opening question just described your application process, not only do I understand, we can commiserate.

Much like you, I knew back in September I was going to have to write this blog entry. I was given the deadline, and free reign as to the topic, just like our essay.  Of course, I had fleeting thoughts of being so on top of things that it would be done with plenty of time to spare, but I wasn't fooling anyone. September quickly turned into January (freakishly fast if you ask me), and I knew I would be relying on last-minute adrenaline to complete this blog entry; and yep, here I am, 11:39 pm, Sunday night, madly typing up something for tomorrow's deadline. I don't know about you, but for me, open topic looks like a blessing at first glance, but quickly turns into a curse as time ticks by.  So many options, so much I could express, but so unsure of what direction to go.  It shouldn't be this hard, right?  An essay - a blog - it is just a snapshot of who we are, a description of a moment in time, a story we could be telling our friends at lunch.  I know who I am, yet to put it to paper - or in this case - the screen, seems so much more difficult....  but here goes... a snapshot of me right now.   

Well, in all honesty, I don't look my best.  If it was a real snapshot, I would demand that it be deleted in favor of something much more flattering.  Between games of Bejeweled (well, I can't type till I set the high score now, can I?) I am here in my bathrobe, listening to the King's Speech soundtrack (for the second time tonight), wishing I had written this yesterday.  Instead of writing, it seemed much more pressing to watch the shows on my DVR (it was approaching 80% full), editing the music on my iPhone (which was almost completely full) and of course, playing games and checking Facebook.  I even resorted to cleaning the kitchen.  I mean, who knows where inspiration will come from, right?   Sound familiar?  But despite this moment being less than my best, I share it, because it is real.  And I feel that being real is so much more flattering than the alternative.  

So here I am, also sharing the fact that, while it has been nearly two decades since I wrote my own admission essay, I feel no different now than I did then - stressed, tired, unsure of my direction, frustrated with my inability to start/finish writing at a normal hour, yet happy with where it took me.  Some things never change, I guess. Despite the stress and frustration, it is important to share a bit of who we are, to remind us that the admission process is just made up of people.  Applicants with more than grades, but stories, hopes, fears, and dreams and experiences to share, reviewed by admissions staff, with hopes, fears, dreams, and experiences to share.  We are all in this process together, comrades in arms against the demanding and insistent admission deadlines.  And this year, more than any other year (and I have been here for quite a few), I empathize with you, the last-minute writer of essays, for I feel your pain, and your relief!

Jennifer Lipke, Sr. Enrollment Specialist

 

A healthy start to 2012!

It’s already 2:00 pm and I have not yet made it to the gym. The way this day is going, I might not make it there until midnight! Okay, midnight is a stretch (pun intended), but actually going later might not be so bad. I usually go in the morning or at lunch, and I can tell there are a lot of New Year’s resolutions motivating people to start 2012 healthy.

In July of last year, the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation rated Colorado the least obese state in the nation. Fortunately this is not a new rating for us, but let me be the first to tell you, the pounds don’t just drop with high altitude! I think of it as more of a lifestyle. When you are surrounded by people who take care of themselves physically, spiritually and emotionally, it’s only natural to follow suit.

This was precisely my experience when I entered DU as an undergraduate. The Coors Fitness Center is a remarkable gym, home to an array of cardiovascular, weight-lifting, and core-building equipment. Need a little guidance in getting started? Hire a trainer! Looking for low-impact activity? Practice your Individual Medley (IM) in our beautiful El Pomar Natatorium. Lest I forget, there are studios for classes like Spinning and Yoga, courts for racquetball and squash, and a two-story rock-climbing wall for those days you cannot make it to the mountains.

One of the best parts about living in Colorado is the geographical gym (or playground as it is often referred to) you have as soon as you set foot outside. Beautiful weather, varying terrain and a lifestyle of fitness make it hard to not stay active in this state. If you don’t believe me, take a look at our staff. Every year, a group of 5-10 coworkers runs the Bolder Boulder. Earlier in the fall, one of my colleagues participated in her first half-marathon. Another captured the state weight-lifting record for her weight class (!). I have twice completed the AIDS/Lifecycle, a fundraising, 7-day, 545-mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Training at a mile high for those rides helped a lot!

Regardless of your athletic background, let DU be the starting line to a healthier you. Not only will you feel better physically, the mental break from class will have you sharper for the next day! Cheers to a happy and healthy 2012!      

Andy Losier, Associate Director - Coordinator of Ammi Hyde Interview and Volunteer Programs

Putting things in perspective

It is January 3^rd, 2012 and I can’t think of a better ending to a phenomenal 2011! Working at the University of Denver is a blessing that I don’t take for granted, but I believe there should be a balance between work and personal time. During the last week of December I decided to make an effort to make the most of the amazing break that DU allows for their faculty and staff. I embarked on a three-city trip to spend time with family and friends. On my 1^st trip I departed Denver, CO and arrived in OKC, OK where my dad, grandparents and other relatives reside. Oklahoma is where I was raised, so it is always good to go back and catch up with my family and friends.

My 2^nd trip consisted of me meeting up with my older brother and his family who all drove to OKC from Denver. We then drove to Dallas, TX to hang out with my mother and other two brothers and their families (yes, I have a big family!). The time spent with them along with my nieces and nephews was priceless and a total blessing, for I know tomorrow is not guaranteed! I thought I was in great shape but theses kiddos were like the energizer bunny, they kept going and going!! Not sure you can mentally prepare for that, but it was fun nonetheless!

I capped off my trip by flying out of Dallas Love-Field Airport to Las Vegas, NV for UFC 141 and New Years Eve at the Wynn Resorts with my best friend whom I actually went to school with and is also an alumnus of DU (Phil Heath, the current Mr. Olympia). The hotel was amazing, the décor and styles of the restaurants we ate at were truly an amazing experience and the weather wasn’t too bad - in fact, it was sunny the whole weekend, so no complaints! 

All in all, I am glad to be back in the office and back in the swing of things. We have a lot of work to do and I am grateful that the University of Denver afforded us the opportunity to take a much needed break and because of that, we are energized and ready to bring in another successful incoming freshman class! Go Pioneers!

Wahhab Carter, Associate Director of Diversity Enrollment

“Put Your Head on My Shoulder”

Last year at this time I wrote about this being the “most wonderful time of the year” with holiday celebrations and the excitement surrounding the college admission process. And while the good feelings are certainly in the air again this year, we sometimes forget how stressful this process can be for families as students race to their mailboxes each day hoping to find good news. Our entire staff certainly wishes all the seniors a season full of “big envelopes” in the mail.

Have you ever wondered what goes into our admission decisions? The process begins in the fall, with our Early Action deadline of November 1. We received over 4,500 Early Action applications, which will probably account for about 40 percent of our applicant pool this year. We have 16 professional staff members who review applications from their assigned territories, giving them anywhere from 100 to 600 files to read in about a month’s time. Each staff member takes meticulous notes as they review transcripts, recommendations, essays and activity sheets. As they read files, they are taking notes on grades earned in core classes, GPA trends, curriculum, essays, activities and general observations about a student’s match for our campus community. Truthfully, the students who apply to DU are remarkable, boasting strong grades and test scores, impressive curriculums and schedules outside of school that would make Santa seem lazy! When do these students sleep?

The difficult work begins in what we call “Great Debate,” a marathon meeting taking place over three full days. All 16 members of the file reading team, plus our Vice Chancellor and Assistant Vice Chancellor (me!), place our collective energy and focus on reviewing the students we “marked for discussion” during the file reading process. Files are marked for a variety of reasons, and usually include one or more of the following: low grades in core courses, downward GPA trends, weak curriculums, low test scores and discipline infractions.

Our staff is simply amazing in the professional manner in which they advocate for their students. The details they remember from reading the essays and recommendations, as well as personal recollections of meeting students at their schools, fairs or interviews is impressive to say the least. They believe in our applicants and continue to challenge each other to find reasons to admit students. Sometimes the discussions get heated, as we vigorously defend students and compare cases to decisions made in the preceding hours. One of our veteran staff members, when it was her turn to discuss applicants from her territories, proclaimed that she was not emotionally attached to any of her students this year and that her discussions would focus on “facts” only. That sentiment lasted about five minutes as she came close to tears while advocating for her first file.  

And sometimes our discussions are flat-out funny! Our staff tends to reach deeply within themselves to justify admitting a student. One of our counselors shared that we simply could not deny a student from such a prestigious high school, a school where Paul Anka’s daughters had attended years ago. If you are like most of our staff, this reference was lost on the much younger audience. Who exactly is Paul Anka?? I considered serenading the staff to “Put Your Head on My Shoulder,” but I refrained in fear that they might deny me!  

While we don’t always get every decision “right,” I am confident that our process is fair and consistent, and we are very proud of the admission offers that will be mailed this Friday. As we approach a new year, I am grateful for our staff and the many students who apply to the University of Denver. And I speak for all of the staff when I say that we are excited to meet our new students next fall! 

Todd Rinehart, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Enrollment and Director of Admisson

 

28 National Championships!

DU is the home of 28 team NCAA National Championships.   28!!!  That is more team NCAA National Championships than the University of Florida, Notre Dame, or Oklahoma.  Denver’s athletic prowess has a decorated past.   In addition to the team National Championships, DU has 108 NCAA individual champions and 55 Olympians.  Denver’s athletic dominance can also be seen in trophy form; in the last four years, DU has earned four consecutive Directors' Cups.

But what about this academic year?  How are DU’s teams doing right now? 

Denver’s Men’s Basketball team has begun the season with a 6-2 start.  The early success of the Pioneers has garnered attention from ESPN.  In his tenure as DU’s head coach, Joe Scott has an impressive 51-12 record at home. 

DU’s Women’s Basketball team started the season with a five-game winning streak.  They currently have an 8-3 record under the leadership of coach Erik Johnson. Senior forward Kaetlyn Murdoch leads the team in scoring; she averages 16.5 points per game and she was recently named Sun Belt conference player of the week!

The DU Hockey team is currently ranked #13 in the country.  Head coach George Gwozdecky has led DU to 10 NCAA tournament appearances, including two NCAA Championships in 2004 and 2005.  The Pioneers will play two games against St. Cloud State in Minnesota this weekend.   

The Men and Women’s Swimming and Diving teams both won the Sun Belt Conference in 2011! Head coach Brian Schrader was named the Sun Belt Conference  Women’s Coach of the Year in 2011 (he has also been named Sun Belt Men’s Coach of the Year in 2007, 2008 and 2009).  This year, the Men’s and Women’s teams remain among the top 20 programs in the nation.     

In January, the DU Ski Team and Women’s Gymnastics will begin competition for their regular season.  

And the next time you are in the magazine aisle, you may find a picture of a DU alumnus on the cover of your favorite fitness magazine.  The current Mr. Olympia is a former DU basketball player.  Phil Heath, nicknamed “The Gift,” was a member of the Men’s Basketball team from 1998 – 2002.

In order to stay up to date on the latest and greatest DU sports news, follow your favorite program through the DU Social Network. 

Go Pioneers! 

Roderick Rose, Associate Director of Admission

 

 

 

 

I *might* be kind of a nerd...

It's that time of year again. I look forward to December every year. Without fail.

And it has nothing to do with Nat King Cole, the latest 'hot' gift (they want how much for that thing?!) or even snow. Although the snow is gorgeous. And plentiful this year.

Nope, none of the traditional holiday fare is the reason for my excitement. It's *that* time of year again. Yes, it's… application season!!

OK, so the thing is… never mind, I’ll just go ahead and fess up now. I might be kind of a nerd.

But here's the thing about application season. It's fairly brief (about two-three weeks in length, once in late November/early December for Early Action and again in February for Regular Decision), it's fairly stressful (admission counselors in our office read anywhere from 100-700 applications in every cycle. Each. Seriously.), and... it's fairly fascinating.

Imagine 500 strangers telling you the story of their life. Imagine learning about their highs and their lows; their trials and tribulations; their childhoods; their formative years; their choices; their strengths; and their aspirations. As a logophile, a ‘people person’ and a reader since birth, I appreciate and value the opportunity to learn about our applicants in their own words. They truly make for captivating reads.

So, really, it depends on your definition of 'nerd.' If I'm a nerd because I enjoy reading about the myriad activities our applicants are involved in, because I share in the joy of the accolades and honors they are winning, and because I love reading 500 college essays - then yes, I proudly declare myself nerd-like.

(Honestly, though, it's incredibly fun - I recommend it.)

Stephanie Tengelsen, Assistant Director of Admission and Communication

 

2011 - Year in Photos

As we wrap up another busy recruiting season and prepare to say goodbye to 2011, I feel it is appropriate to recap a few highlights of the year.

From the hundreds of students who visited our campus, to our first annual division-wide field day, the following is a collection of photographs that provide a glimpse into the world of Admission.

Our Admission staff wearing their DU College gear on College Friday, which is a day designated to raise awareness about the importance of higher education for Colorado’s youth.

Our First Annual Division-Wide Field Day!

Discoveries Orientation Week

Miriam, Wahhab and Claudia

Margret, Stephanie, Emily, Rachel and Ginny

Roderick and Andy

DU Admissions Office at the 2011 NACAC Conference in New Orleans

Our amazing visit program staff welcoming all our parent and student visitors

We look forward to another great year - our office is ready to embark on another successful recruiting season! 

Claudia Hernandez-Ponce, Admission Counselor

My Application Review Process

I’m often asked about how I read an admission file. I really never have a clear-cut answer for that, but I do have some general personal preferences as to the order in which I learn about the student. This can be broken down into three areas:  getting to know the applicant, determining a student’s academic preparation, and other people’s impressions of the student. These areas really help me in determining whether or not the student is a good fit for the University of Denver, and ultimately determine who is admitted and who is not.

The first thing I read is the actual application. I like to learn where a student is from, where they go to school, what they want to study, etc.  I take a close look at the family information to see where their parents went to school and whether or not they are alumnus of the University of Denver.  I’ll also take a look at the sibling information to see how many brothers or sisters the applicant has and where they currently attend school (or where they might have graduated from).

The short answer, activities, and essay also help me in learning a great deal about the students.  I take a close look at the quality of the activities that a student has been involved with both in and out of school. I like to see students that stick with activities, but at the same time are willing to try new things. Essentially, I want to see that students made good use of their time outside the classroom and over the summer. The essay is a very important part of the application in that this is where a student can tell me something about themselves that I otherwise wouldn’t know by reading the rest of the application. I’ve seen some great essays so far this year and am continually amazed at the experiences and opportunities some of our applicants have had.

The most important part of the application is the academic record. I look very closely at the high school transcript. Here, I am specifically looking at a student’s grades, curriculum choices, and the strength of their high school. I want to see a student that challenges themselves with the most demanding courses they can take, without falling below a “B” for a grade.  In terms of the SAT or ACT, I only see the highest scores, so I never know (nor do I need to know) how many times a student has taken the tests.

Finally, I want to see what other people have to say about the applicant.  The college/guidance counselor typically knows the student better than most. Their recommendation often speaks to the applicant as a student and a person.  Any questions that arise from looking at a student’s transcript are often times answered by reading the counselor recommendation. Additional recommendations, while not required, speak to a student’s success in a specific class or an extracurricular activity. If a student has done one of our Hyde Interviews, I will read the comments from that as well.

The order/process in which I read an admission file is not the same for everyone in our office but the above process seems to work well for me.  Some files do take longer to read than others, but rest assured, every student applicant is given a fair and consistent review.

Craig Dionne, Northeast Regional Director of Admission