It's incredible how quickly the months of September and October go by when you are constantly on the road moving from high school to high school, hotel to hotel, and city to city. I spent today in... the office(!) for the first full day since September 25. Wow. So, as you would expect, I had a bit of catching up to do! Today was also incredibly busy with campus visitors-- when you walk into the office at 8:30 AM and the front office staff already has extra chairs stretching down the hallway, you know that it isn't going to be a quiet one...

Today also marked the first time I've been to an Admission Ambassador meeting since September 24 (the Ambassadors are our student volunteers who host prospective students on our day visit program, greet families in the Office of Admission, and speak at our Group Information Sessions on campus). We always tell prospective families that the best way to learn about any institution they are visiting is to speak to current students-- they are the ones currently going to classes, living in the residence halls, eating in the dining hall, working out in the fitness center... and so they are the best way for you to get a first-hand account of what campus life is like. I am obviously biased as the co-coordinator of PC's Ambassadors, but we have an incredible group of about 120 students who volunteer so much of their time and energy to help our office welcome prospective families to PC. If you have yet to meet any of our Ambassadors on a campus visit, I definitely suggest that you come visit and take the time to chat with our students-- they are very welcoming, friendly, and knowledgable, and are a great resource as you continue your college search.

As the title of this entry states, it is the "home stretch" of our fall travel season in the PC Admission office. The majority of the counseling staff will be back in the office for good by November 1 (except for one lucky counselor who is headed to the northwest-- Portland and Seattle to be specific... don't worry, we haven't forgotten about the west coast! We are still coming!!)... I am currently in Springfield, MA, and have two days of high school visits ahead of me here (that stay in the office didn't last too long...). Then, I have a brief trip to Houston, TX next week and am back home to get ready for the next step in the admission process... reading your applications! Much, much more to come on that topic in the next few weeks and months!

I hope that all of you seniors out there have had a successful (final) first quarter and are busy narrowing down that list of schools you will be applying to. Just as a reminder, our Early Action deadline is coming up (quickly) -- it is November 1. Our Regular Decision deadline is January 15. Again, a lot more on the application process still to come... Until next time, enjoy the week!

*Scott
10/22/07
Springfield, MA!