Volume 3 • Edition 1 • Spring 2021
About this Issue
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Q&A with Liz Eshleman 3 The Application Process
4
College Acceptance Requirements
7
Q&A with Pat Kane
11
College Athletics
15
Scholarship & Aid
16
Why Ivy League
17
Alumni Achievement Award Recipient
22
Devon Preparatory School
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About This Issue Devon Prep has always prepared its students for the rigors of college and beyond, but the process of choosing, applying for, and getting into the right school is constantly evolving. There are so many elements that go into it: school size, location, academic focus, religious affiliation, athletic opportunities, scholarship and aid offers, acceptance rates.... Think back to your own experience here. Writing essays and submitting applications. Playing the waiting game and checking the mail for weeks to see if that acceptance letter finally arrived. Narrowing down your choices to a handful schools. Making that final commitment. It’s exactly what our students are experiencing now. But the planning process starts earlier. And the financial commitment is greater. So with this issue of the Alumni Newsletter, we offer you insight to how the college process has changed over the years, the types of colleges and universities students are targeting and attending, and where the college application process is headed. Liz Eshleman, the school’s Director of College Counseling, has been at Devon Prep for more than 14 years, and provided us with a wealth of information and insight into what today’s students are facing and how she’s helping them navigate an increasingly-complex process. We hope this issue shows how much things have changed, and how Devon Prep keeps evolving!
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Q & A with Liz Eshleman If you attended Devon in the past decade and a half, you’ve worked with Liz Eshleman, our esteemed Director of College Guidance. We sat down with Liz to get to know a bit more about her background and what exactly brought her to Devon Prep! Q: Describe your background and what led you to Devon Prep? I have a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Binghamton University (NY) and a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Boston College. During my graduate program at BC, I had semester-long internships in both Student Development and Admissions at BC. I began my professional career Admissions at Villanova University in 1995. I spent five years in Undergraduate Admissions and took part in all aspects of the admissions process from recruitment at high schools and college fairs to reading and making decisions on applicants from NY and NJ. Villanova was and is an awesome place! I loved the University but needed a new challenge. I left the University and went into Corporate America - first working locally at a recruitment firm then spending two years at pharmaceutical giant, Johnson & Johnson. I was responsible for hiring co-ups and recent college graduate hires. I was back on campus once again! I spent a lot of time on campuses meeting and recruiting great talent to J&J. After two years with J&J, I realized I missed making a difference in people’s lives. I decided to head back to higher education and was fortunate enough to be hired back at Villanova University, but this time in graduate admissions. I worked for VSB (it was the “College of Commerce and Finance” at the time, 2002). I recruited and reviewed applicants for their part-time and full-time equivalent MBA Programs. After five years in graduate business school, I needed another new challenge and applied for the “college counselor” position at Devon Prep. I was eventually hired as the Director of College Counseling and began my career on “the other side of the desk” in admissions. I started in August 2007 and never looked back!
Q: What was that first year like? It was a crazy time of year to join a high school. I met and interviewed with nearly every senior and his parents in the Class of 2008 in the month of August. They were nervous with the transition of a new college counselor at a crucial time in their college process. It was hectic to say the least but I loved it. Meeting the seniors and their families gave me a better understanding of the Devon community and its students.
Q: How do you view your role at Devon? I see myself as a guide and resource for students and parents so that the students can achieve their college goals and aspirations. I’m here to provide answers to their questions and to help make this sometimes stressful process of applying to college a little bit easier. If I don’t have an answer, I’ll get the answer. Applying to college should be FUN! I think most seniors are more stressed than having fun. They are closing one chapter of their life (high school) and opening the door to their next chapter. I am blessed to be able to be a part of this exciting time in their lives.
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The Application Process
As a school, we want to get the college selection process right. There’s so much planning and preparation that goes into it for each student, and the ins and outs are constantly changing. It’s on Liz Eshleman to keep up to date on the best procedures and changing landscape of the college admission process.
Q: Can you take us through the admission process, from 9th grade through senior year? For freshmen and sophomores, I want them to focus on adjusting to Devon Prep, do well with their coursework and get involved in our school community. Freshmen need time to adjust to the rigor of high school as well as the rigors of Devon Prep. For some, the transition to DP is smooth, but for others, the higher expectations from our faculty and rigor in our courses is more challenging from what they did in middle school. We want freshmen to make that transition and do well in school. We encourage them to get involved - clubs, sports, the fine arts, community service - and make new friends. As sophomores, many students are now familiar with what is expected of them in the classroom. We give sophomores the opportunity to challenge themselves in the classroom by enrolling in one or more Advanced Placement courses. They should continue to stay involved, building their resume. If they didn’t join anything in freshman year, now is the time to do so. The college process at Devon formally begins in junior year. In the fall of each academic year, Devon is visited by nearly 100+ colleges and universities from across the country. Admissions representatives come to Devon to meet our students and share information about their institutions. Juniors and seniors are permitted to participate and learn more about what the campus has to offer. Our students also have the opportunity to meet the individual who will be reading his application first and advocating to the Committee on his behalf. Around early to mid-December, students and parents will receive a homework assignment from me. The students will receive the Junior College Profile to complete. It’s a series of intentional questions to help him discover what he has appreciated from his part and how it can help shape his future. I have parents complete a similar assignment - so they can share their wants and wishes for their son and his future. During the second half of junior year, I host a Junior College Night program and then I will meet with each student and his parents for his 1x1 college meeting. I will take his responses from the Student Profile, his parents’ responses to the Parent Profile, his transcript and test scores and develop a college strategy for him and his family. We will meet to talk about his strengths, areas for development and he will walk away from this meeting with a listing of about 30-40 different colleges that meet some of his “must have” and “nice to have” requirements. Each meeting and plan is customized to the student and his family. Also during the second half of junior year, the students will have a Jr. College Counseling class, which meets once per cycle. This is an opportunity to meet in small groups to break down the admissions process into chunks so it’s not as overwhelming and to keep them on track. There are pointed themes for each week but I also prefer to run the class like a seminar, so if a student has questions about college that are off-topic, I’ll run with it. I want the students to feel comfortable and confident as they move through this process so I’ll pivot the conversations to meet their needs.
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The Application Process WITH LIZ ESHELMAN
When they return for senior year in the fall, they can continue to participate in the Fall Visit program. They will have a College Counseling class for the first several months of senior year, giving them regular opportunity to continue to ask questions, keep them on track and help make this process less daunting. I tell my students that I will read anything they want to share with me - essays, resume, application. I will provide them with feedback and suggestions so that they can present their best foot forward to the Committee. I will work with seniors and his parents through the application to decision making process, helping and guiding them so that he can make the best decision for him and his family.
Q: Which majors have you seen gain popularity? What are Devon students targeting? Majors will ebb and flow with what’s happening in the world. When I first arrived at Devon Prep in 2007, nearly half the senior class would pursue a major in Engineering or a STEM related field. I give credit to Fr. Shea teaching Physics to EVERY student in junior year. We had very few electives at that time and students didn’t really have a choice with classes. Nowadays, business is the hot field of study. After the transition to the current administration, they revitalized the curriculum, offering more elective options and offerings so students could take courses that were interesting and relevant to them now and their future. The new curriculum gave students more options and choices. We are still a college preparatory school, but now we have dozens of course offerings - including an expanded Professional Studies department - as well as enhanced options in the traditional core subjects. Students are even more invested in their education now.
Q: How has your process changed over the years? A: Each year, I tweak some processes to match the changing tides in admissions. However, my overall approach has remained consistent. When Devon decided to purchase Naviance (a college readiness and guidance technology), it simplified the once paper-heavy process. My first 8+ years at Devon, I spent a lot of time in the main office making copies of transcripts and letters of recommendation and running envelopes through the postal meter. Now, with Naviance, we can transmit everything electronically and it’s much easier and far less time consuming.
Q: So much of the process is student-driven. What role does a student’s family play? A: Parents have always been very much involved in this process. Part of my philosophy is to empower the student - to take charge of the direction of their future. I use this analogy often - the student should be responsible for “doing” the college process. When he was learning to drive, his hands were on the steering wheel and his feet on the pedals. Mom or Dad is sitting next to him guiding and supporting but he was doing. It should be the same in the college process. It’s a time of discovery and the senior should be taking the lead. Parents and I will be there to help and support but we should not be doing it for him. I am happy to communicate with them about anything and everything but it’s more important to me that the student take the lead. I am trying to help raise his comfort level and confidence now so that he will be better prepared when he arrives on campus.
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College Table File
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The Application Process WITH LIZ ESHELMAN
College/ University
SAT
Penn State, University Park
ACT
GPA
Acceptance Rate
Middle 50% Middle 50% 1240-1410 27-33
3.55-3.90
56%
Temple
1238
3.54
60%
Penn
Middle 50% Middle 50% 1470-1550 34-36
“A” avg. in most rigorous curriculum
7.7%
Drexel
1190-1380
3.73
74.4%
Notre Dame
Middle 50% Middle 50% 1420-1530 33-35
“A” avg. in AP/Honors courses
15.8%
Duke
Middle 50% Middle 50% 1500-1570 34-35
“A” avg. in AP courses
7.6%
Villanova
Middle 50% Middle 50% 1370-1500 31-34
Middle 50% 4.12-4.49
27.7%
Bucknell
Middle 50% Middle 50% 1250-1420 28-32
3.57
33%
27
25-31
*Stats based on overall school averages. Some vary by academic college.
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The Application Process WITH LIZ ESHELMAN
College Acceptance Requirements For the Class of 2021 (54 seniors), the top five most popular schools were:
5) DREXEL UNIVERSITY - 14 applications 4) ST. JOSEPH’S UNIVERSITY - 15 applications 3) UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - 19 applications 2) VILLANOVA - 20 applications 1) PENN STATE - 23 applications How does a Devon Prep student actually make his way into a college or university? It’s simple. And complicated. Start with the courses he’s taken, and the grades he’s received. “The most important factor in the student’s application is his high school transcript - the rigor of his coursework and the grade he earns in the class,” says Eshleman. “A high GPA is wonderful but it’s not the only consideration. The Admissions Committee will look at his rigor as well. Is he taking advantage of all that Devon has to offer? The Committee would much rather see a “B” in an AP course than a student with an “A” in a college preparatory course. The fact that he has challenged himself in the more demanding course (AP) carries more weight. Many of the institutions that our students are attracted to are expecting successful applicants to show rigor in their schedule.”
So, overload your schedule with AP courses, get into college? Not quite. “A student should only take what he can handle. It does a student no good to take 4 or 5 AP courses to only earn C’s or lower in them. A “C” in an AP course tells the Committee that this student probably should not have been in the class. If a student thinks he can get a “B” or better in an AP course (in conjunction with everything else he has on his plate), he should go for it. Colleges prefer to see students who have challenged themselves in high school.”
Then come the test scores. Even in a world where schools are waiving the requirement to take the SAT or ACT, they’re still an important part of a student’s application. “It’s the one piece of the application process that every student, domestic and international, have in common. Students can opt to take the SAT or the ACT. Both tests are used equally in the process and colleges do not favor one test over the other. When the pandemic hit in March 2020, standardized testing became increasingly difficult to schedule and take. All spring 2020 testing was cancelled globally… the summer dates were also cancelled, leaving students without the opportunity to take the tests. The majority of colleges across the US responded by going “Test Optional” for the fall 2021 cycle, some even extending their test optional policies to 2022 and 2023 applicants. Test Optional means that if a student was not able to take the test, his scores not a good reflection of his true abilities or their score was not in the admitted student profile, the applicant could choose to have his application reviewed without scores. About 95% of the colleges across the county were test optional for 2021. They wanted to reduce the stress for the seniors who did not have the opportunity to take the tests. But this did not mean that a student shouldn’t send scores, if he had them. About 40% of the Class of 2021 had test scores prior to the pandemic but the majority did not.”
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The Application Process WITH LIZ ESHELMAN
Devon Prep students were encouraged to prepare for, take, and do as best as they could on the tests. “For our students who had strong test scores, they were encouraged to review the admitted profile of their schools and to submit them if they would enhance their application. If the student was not able to test or his scores were in the lower range or below the colleges’ admitted profile, they could choose to not submit. It varied from student to student, as well as institution to institution.”
But the application isn’t just test scores and AP courses. Colleges are looking at the whole student - what did they spend their time on in high school? “The transcript is the most important part of the review process. Past performance is the best predictor of future performance. But colleges are also looking to build a well rounded community. They want to admit students who will be engaged citizens both on and off campus. To this they look to his activities resume to see what he’s been involved in the past, as a predictor of his future involvement. Clubs, sports, community service, work experience - all are very important as they try to determine which students will make contributions to their community.” How schools view an applicant’s transcript is likely the aspect of applying to college that Devon graduates of any age can relate to. Schools still want to know who you are beyond an SAT score. In any era, Devon Prep can be proud of what its students bring to the table.
Devon’s small class sizes help students develop relationships with their teachers, which comes in handy when asking for personalized letters of recommendation. “Most schools will require a letter of recommendation from one or more teachers and a counselor. I write [one] for every senior. [They] are an opportunity for the Committee to get to know the applicant through someone else’s eyes, and help make an applicant more multi-dimensional.”
Lastly, every Devon student’s favorite part: essays! “All seniors will have to write at least one essay (the Common Application essay), and many will write several more. The essay is the student’s opportunity to share something about himself to the Admissions Committee that has not already been shared. His voice needs to sing through the essay and that’s not the easiest task. Students find the essay to be the most challenging part of the application process.” Of course, Devon Prep’s teachers and staff are there to provide assistance with the essay portion, another aspect of the process that has remained the same throughout the years here.
Critically, the students know they have an ally in Mrs. Eshleman, someone who will keep them on track throughout the process. “With all parts of the application, I offer guidance and assistance. I will provide feedback on anything they want to share with me. Having been on an Admissions Committee previously, I know what they are looking for and I try to guide the student so he can shine above the other applicants!”
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The Application Process WITH LIZ ESHELMAN
If there’s one constant with the college admission process, it’s that the process is always changing. Throughout her tenure at Devon, Eshleman has seen it all. “When I first arrived at Devon back in 2007, the majority of seniors were interested in pursuing a major in a STEM related field. The past three to four years, business is the hot major. I give credit to the administration and Devon Prep for the revitalized curriculum - in 2019, I had my first nursing applicant. I had another in 2020 and this year, we have 3 seniors applying to direct entry BSN programs!” Popular locations and majors can change, too. “More recently, students are attracted to bigger institutions with spirited student bodies that like to attend sporting events. There has been a draw to the southeast part of the US and warmer weather locations.”
External factors can impact the popularity of a school, too. “A college earning its way into the Final Four may see an explosion in applications the following year. Universities listed on a “best” list may also see a dramatic increase in applicants.”
Of course, there are some parts of the process that have remained the same over the last decade. Says Eshleman, “Every student has expressed interest in two consistent characteristics about his future college experience: something bigger than Devon (and EVERYTHING is bigger than Devon) and girls.”
Moving forward, Eshleman predicts a number of changes with the process, particularly in light of the impact of COVID and the state of the world. “I think testing will be less and less important than it has been in the past. I would not be surprised that more schools take on permanent Test Optional policies or even go Test Blind. As it is, the College Board is retiring Subject Tests (SATIIs) as of June 2021. Testing may go by the wayside.” In fact, the Test Optional policies that have been rolled out could have major impacts on application volume, and therefore competition for spots, for future applicants. “With the majority of schools going Test Optional in 2021, their applicant pools have EXPLODED. Institutions are recording record breaking years, up double digits in their applicant pool [while] first year class sizes remain the same. As we move into later March and April, I believe we will see record-low admit rates from the schools that are students are most attracted to.”
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The Application Process WITH LIZ ESHELMAN
What misconceptions exist about the college process? How much does the name of the school truly impact the quality of education? Many families in the DP community will not apply for financial assistance. They think they will not qualify for aid. In some instances, that is true. But you won’t know until you apply. Also, DP students think that our college preparatory classes are on par with “Honors” classes at other schools. It’s not quite that black and white. Our rigor and faculty expectations are higher than other high schools. Students will always be reviewed in the context of their school. Some students and families feel they need to have a “name” brand school. It needs to be recognizable or on a “best list”. I ask all students and parents to be open-minded through this process. Just because he hasn’t heard of the school before, doesn’t mean it’s a “bad” or “unworthy” school. I believe that it’s WHAT he does while in college is far more important than the NAME of the school. While I don’t have concrete evidence of this, I would prefer to hire a student with a 3.95 GPA, research opportunities, student leader from a Tier 2 school over the 3.0 from an Ivy. But some employers just want to brag that “we have XX graduates from Harvard, Yale etc...)”
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Q&A with Director of External Operations and Assistant Baseball Coach Patrick Kane 1. What were you looking for in a school for your own college process? Why did you choose Nova? Villanova was always in the running for me because my baseball education was rooted through Villanova. My brother was the starting catcher from 1983-1986, and in 1986 George Bennett took over as their Head Coach. When I was 5 years old, I started going to his Baseball Camp, IBI in Lansdale PA for 6-weeks over the summer, so I was very familiar with him as a coach, and he knew what I could do as a player. So, for Villanova to be off the table, I was going to have to receive either a pretty significant offer from another school or end up being drafted and sign professionally. There was major appeal to play at Villanova in the 90’s. They had just come off an appearance in the College World Series in 1989, and were at the top of The Big East Conference from the late 80’s into the early 90’s. With teams like Notre Dame, Rutgers, West Virginia and Seton Hall, the conference itself was at the height of its competition level, and they had a beautiful field right on campus that drew great crowds for games. My parents and siblings were always talking to me about the importance of education during my recruiting process but being honest, I didn’t understand that as much as I should have. I had interest from many D1 schools for both football and baseball so in my mind it was a foregone conclusion that I would be playing at some competitive school regardless of what I did academically. Attending public school, I just did what I was told, tried to stay out of trouble, and achieved enough academically, so my grades were “good enough.” In the end, my heart was at Villanova - locally it was seen as a great institution (and still is) - and it was close to home so my family could continue to be a part of my experience, which was extremely important to me.
2. From a coaching perspective, how does Devon athletics help prepare our students for athletic careers at the college level? Playing a sport at Devon is just an extension of what we are asking our boys to do in the classroom. Time Management, prioritization, commitment, competing, and perseverance are all things that can make you successful in obtaining an education here. Those same attributes are necessary to get playing time here at Devon, but also to compete against the teams we play against in the Philadelphia Catholic League. The coaches here tend to lean on our boys’ strengths as players - challenging them with the mental aspect of the game and finding the players that can best come together to compete as a TEAM. For us to compete at the highest level, our boys must take their differences, put them aside, and move in the same direction. So, our boys are conditioned to accept their role and be the best at that role for the betterment of the team. There’s also an individual approach. Because each team has multiple coaches, there is optimal opportunity to coach players strengths and weaknesses and discuss what life is like as a student athlete at the collegiate level. We can also identify which kids project to play at the next level and have conversations earlier in their High School career. Because our coaches have credibility, they come with connections to coaches at the next level. Many times throughout the year, college coaches are in attendance at our practices and can get an insider view at how hard our boys work and what they may get daily if they decide to recruit one of our players.
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3. Since you started coaching at Devon, describe what the evolution has been like for Devon athletics on the whole when it comes to the level of importance athletics play in the college decision process? Since I started here in 2011, the level of coaching ability has been elevated. Our coaches are experts in what they are teaching and have developed trust with their players. They confidently communicate what they are looking for out of their players and when there is great trust between player and coach, then the players respect and performance level is higher. That process is important, and earlier exposure to that helps our guys in the short and long term. There is also a considerable difference in the compete level and pride level of our athletes at Devon. For a long time, we were seen as a “non-athletic school” or a school for “nerds”. Truth be told, we are a “Smart School” – I’d rather start at that level than being considered a Jock School and have to change that narrative – but we have kids that really want to work to get better at their athletic craft and aren’t afraid of failure. Give me a group of kids that are willing to take constructive criticism and apply change to their game and fail in order to succeed, over straight athletic ability any day of the week. Our kids aren’t afraid to be great in sports. Just like they aren’t afraid to be great in the classroom. There is a balance now in how our guy’s approach both and that’s needed for our boys to get the most out of their experience here. That will allow them to deal with the grind of playing sports at the next level. Playing a sport in college is a job. When you aren’t studying or in class, you are practicing, working-out or having team meetings. There isn’t much time for anything else, so time management and organization skills are necessary to be successful. That happens here at Devon when kids enter in 6th grade.
4. When a student is looking to play at the next level, what are some important things they should consider? Primarily, does the school offer what I’m looking for academically? You are always a student first, so it must meet your needs in the classroom. Are you comfortable with the distance the school is from your family group? As kids go away to college, they are on their own for the first time and don’t have that crutch – Mom and Dad - to fall back on. They have to be able to find their social setting in college and use the assets the University has to offer. Avoid comparing yourself to what others are doing. This process is your own and your needs are different than others’. Your goal may have been to play a Division I sport and just because someone else may be in that scenario, it doesn’t mean that’s what’s best for them is best for you. Understand that the coach during the recruiting process will be very different than the coach you are playing for. Coaches are out seeing and communicating with hundreds of players on a yearly basis. They are selling themselves and their program, so they are constantly putting their best foot forward. The honeymoon ends as soon as workouts begin. They are going to challenge you from the start to see how mentally tough you are, and you can’t take it personally. Their primary goal is to have a competitive and winning program. A good question we ask is, “if you woke up tomorrow and couldn’t play another game in your life, would you feel comfortable staying at the school you are choosing?”
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*As of 2014, Devon Graduates who have participated in collegiate athletics Devon Graduation Year
Name
Sport
College/ University
2014
Chris Bauers
Baseball
Washington University
Zach Schellenger
Baseball
Seton Hall University
Dom Hardaway
Baseball
Boston College
Sean Phelan
Baseball
UPenn
Eric DiPietro
Baseball
Drew University
Patrick Rohr
Baseball
University of Scranton
2016
Tony Gallo
Baseball
Lehigh University
2017
Jimmy Loftus
Baseball
Susquehanna University
2018
Bryan Donato
Golf
Fordham University
Luke Piontek
Baseball
University of Rochester
Nick Ramanjulu
Baseball
Towson University
Nick Rymarowicz
Baseball
Manhattanville College
Tyler Wright
Baseball
Millersville University
Charlie Verna
Track & Field
Chestnut Hill College
Fred Rullo
Basketball
University of Delaware
Andrew Czachor
Baseball
High Point University
Matthew Romano
Baseball
University of Scranton
Aaron Nuble
Baseball
Widener University
Jordyn Walker
Track & Field
Catholic University of America
Matthew Drauschak
Track & Field
Catholic University of
2015
2019
America Pat Coleman 2020
Nick Crowe Nick Perullo
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Baseball
Haverford College
Basketball
University of Scranton
Basketball
Dickinson College
America
2020
2021
Pat Coleman
Baseball
Haverford College
Nick Crowe
Basketball
University of Scranton
Nick Perullo
Basketball
Dickinson College
Scion Dorsey
Basketball
Gwynedd Mercy University
Tom Kent
Baseball
High Point University
Jack Eshleman
Baseball
Hamilton College
Mike Romano
Baseball
DeSales University
Bere Bauers
Baseball
Undecided
JP Schuller
Lacrosse
DePauw University
Eamonn Walsh
Basketball
King’s College
Chris Patton
Basketball
King’s College
Nadir Bryant
Lacrosse
Stevenson University
Joseph Koroly
Lacrosse
Immaculata University
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College Athletics An increasingly-important factor in Devon Prep students’ college admission process is the ability to continue their athletic careers at the next level! The Class of 2021 has 16% of its members set to play at a Division 1 or Division 3 level, a trend that should be continuing with the Class of 2022 and beyond. Students who want to continue their sport in college will, of course, go through the process guided by Eshleman, but also will work hand-in-hand with the Athletic Department. “I encourage students who want to continue their athletic career beyond high school to speak with their Devon and/or travel team coaches in regards to their potential and realistic ability to compete at the collegiate level,” says Eshleman. Targeting different athletic programs, working with college coaches and scouts, and positioning athletes for success is where Athletic Director Jason Fisher comes into play. “There is no one specific way to handle the college process, says Fisher. “Each player is unique and goes through the process differently. We generally start with an open conversation about why they want to play in college, and then we talk about what that would look like. After that we start to truly evaluate the athlete and their abilities - both on the court and in the classroom.” Fisher has also helped introduce a College Athletics Club to help our high school students start to plan and prepare for a prospective college athletics career. One major factor in the increase in the number of students looking to play beyond a high school level? Moving into the Philadelphia Catholic League. “Playing in the PCL has helped give our athletes a realistic evaluation against some of the best student-athletes in the country. It makes our athletes at Devon realize what they have to work on at an early age if they truly want to play at the next level. It also has given our athletes more of a stage to be showcased to college coaches. There are no easy games, all of our games are against potential college athletes and as such college coaches are always watching.” Eshleman’s guidance overall, even factoring in one’s ability and desire to participate in athletics at the collegiate level, is on point. “I encourage them to select the school that is their best fit overall - academically, athletically, socially, spiritually, and financially. They should NOT select a college purely because they can play on the college team. The college should pass the “broken leg test” - if the student were to have a season or career ending injury, would they want to stay on that campus? If they would not, the student should continue to explore other options. Don’t pick a school just because you can play there.”
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Scholarship & Aid Major, location, and school size are all important factors when it comes to determining which colleges to apply to and ultimately attend. But for many students, the overriding factor is Cost of Attendance (COA). Consider Villanova’s increasing costs:
VILLANOVA COA 2003-04: $38,185 VILLANOVA COA 2011-12: $54,520 VILLANOVA COA 2020-21: $75,835 Part of Eshleman’s role is helping to identify student and family needs with regards to the college process, targeting schools more generous with merit scholarship and aid. “The more selective the school, the less scholarship is available. Scholarship is a reward for achievement - academic, athletic, leadership, community service. It is also a marketing tool used by the admissions office. For example - if you can get into Villanova, you will most likely not get ANY scholarship. Families will pay for the full amount, less if they apply and qualify for financial aid.” The scholarship process for most schools is fairly straightforward. “The most scholarship money comes from the institution itself and is generally awarded for high academic achievement, but not singularly. They will look at his resume and test scores and award them accordingly.” Targeting certain schools over others, knowing they’re more generous with financial assistance, can be invaluable to a family looking to keep costs down. “Private schools have the endowment and scholarship budget to award generously to those who qualify. Many public universities do not have the money to give merit scholarships. Those schools who are particularly generous to Devon Prep students include Drexel, St. Joseph’s University, Loyola, University of Scranton, and Catholic University.” We still have students who choose Villanova, and are happy and proud to do so. But there are alternatives for families who don’t want to, or can’t, fund their COA. “The same student who is admitted to St. Joseph’s University, or Catholic University, or Scranton, or Loyola will probably get between $20-25K per year in merit scholarship. Yes, the student could attend Villanova but it will cost the family or they could attend one of the mentioned schools… and save $80-100K across four years.” It’s why Eshleman’s role at Devon Prep is so important, helping families make sense of the college landscape and make informed, long-range decisions. “College is expensive. It is an investment. For those who know there is education beyond their bachelors degree, they might just take the offer with the generous scholarship and use the money to help pay for law school/med school/graduate school.”
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Why Ivy League? One of the bigger misconceptions about the college process at Devon Prep is the thought that if no students are going to an Ivy League college that something must be wrong. But the school’s philosophy isn’t about forcing a “name” college on a student to make everyone look good - it’s about making sure a college is the right fit, to set that student up for success. Of course, if Harvard is the right fit, great, but there’s so much more that goes into the decision. “If a student is able to gain admittance to an Ivy League (or other Tier One) institution, it certainly is a great honor and a time for celebration. These schools tend to have single digit or admit rates under 15%. These students not only exemplify outstanding scholarship but also have found a way to differentiate themselves among the tens of thousands of applicants from across the globe,” says Eshleman. And it’s not just about whether or not a student is qualified to gain admission to an Ivy League school. Crucially, finances are a major determining factor - Harvard’s Cost of Attendance for the 2020-21 school year is $72,357. “I have had a student in the past be admitted to an Ivy but turn it down due its cost. He decided to attend the Honors Program at Northeastern University’s College of Engineering with a $27,000 scholarship (which, at the time, was more than a 50% tuition scholarship.) His family did not qualify for any need-based financial aid and the additional cost for the Ivy League school was not worth the extra $100K.” Eshleman recalled. “I had another student decide to attend Villanova Honors Program with a full tuition scholarship over the University of Pennsylvania. I had another student get admitted to Tier One institutions (Georgia Tech, University of Notre Dame to name two) and turn them down. He opted to attend Schreyer Honors College at Penn State University instead and graduate with little to no debt.” Considering the ever-increasing cost to attend, it’s not surprising a student would make the decision to minimize debt, especially if the quality of education received is still excellent. “College is an investment and it is expensive,” concludes Eshleman. “More and more students and families are not willing to take on that kind of debt.” Sometimes the smart move is to plan long-term and allocate resources towards a masters or other advanced degree. “If students are considering an advanced degree, money saved with merit scholarship can be used towards the advanced degree instead.”
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Alumni College Process Alex Pachella ‘11 1. What college did you attend? What major did you study? I attended Hamilton College in upstate NY, where I majored in Public Policy 2. What led you to that school? What were you looking for in your college search? During my college search, I was looking for a small school where I could get a great education while also being able to play collegiate baseball. 3. What other schools were you seriously considering? Other schools on my radar were mainly smaller, high academic schools such as Haverford College, Ursinus College, Lafayette College, and Lehigh University 4. Reflecting back on your college years, what were some major likes and dislikes about the school? Major Likes: Social Life- It was a very small school and a very tight knit community. Everybody seemed to know everybody. I met some truly amazing individuals at Hamilton who have remained my best friends to this day. Student Teacher Ratio: The small class sizes allowed more individualized attention in which the professors were able to get to know their students on a personal level and help teach the material based on each student's individual learning styles and capabilities. Career Center- Helped me understand what I wanted to do with my life following college and the advisors at the career center gave me the tools on how to achieve my career goals. Major Dislikes: Weather: In upstate NY, some years it snowed until May. I absolutely loved the campus but the non-stop snow was the one thing I could have done without! 5. Do you feel that school was the best choice for you? Hamilton was absolutely the best choice for me. It was a school that allowed me to mature, learn about myself, and meet some amazing people along the way.
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Eric DiPietro ‘15 1. What college did you attend? What major did you study? Drew University in Madison, NJ - I graduated with honors in business studies with a minor in Sociology 2. What led you to that school? What were you looking for in your college search? I was looking for a similar experience to the one I had at Devon Prep. I wanted to be able to do whatever I wanted to do and make a name for myself other than the baseball player- which I also did. Being in a nice area, small student/faculty ratio, opportunity to join clubs and run events. 3. What other schools were you seriously considering? Juniata College (Huntingdon, PA) , Washington College (Chesterfield, MD) , Dickinson College (PA) 4. Reflecting back on your college years, what were some major likes and dislikes about the school? Likes - opportunity to do what I wanted to do. Small group so I got to know some really good people. I was a name not a number walking through campus. Constant interaction with faculty/ older people which sharpened my skills and made me more professional. Dislikes - North Jersey attitude, other around me not having as much of an open mind about trying new things/being friends with certain people, It may have been a little small (maybe not freshman year but I began to outgrow) , not being able to have a car until Junior year, 98% of students lived on campus all 4 years, it was pricey but since the tuition has dropped 20% 5. Do you feel that school was the best choice for you? How can you know? I am a big believer in you get what you put into the situation. I do not know what my experience would have been like at any other school. I do know my experience would not have been as amazing as it was if I sat back and was just another student going through the ebbs and flows of the college experience. The balance of friend, having fun, working hard, getting good grades and putting yourself in a position to be prepared for your life is all on you. Do not doubt your decision if you hate your school, just go to another! It is all about who you are surrounded by and the opportunities you get yourself into. I think I would have enjoyed the college experience anywhere I went because I would have surrounded myself with like people and lived the experience I wanted to. Noone will ever know what the best choice was or is or will be. It is all about what you put into it.
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Alumni Coll Dave Randall ‘15
1) What college did you attend? What major did you study? I attended Cornell University and majored in Industrial and Labor Relations with minors in business and inequality studies. 2) What led you to that school? What were you looking for in your college search? My college search was primarily driven by a desire to attend a school that maintained a balance of academic rigor and an exciting social element. I also wanted a program with enough flexibility in the coursework that would allow me to pursue a career in either finance or law. xq 3) What other schools were you seriously considering? UCLA, UC Berkeley, Michigan 4) Reflecting back on your college years, what were some major likes and dislikes about the school? Pros of Cornell: interesting coursework with professors that genuinely care about the successes of their students, stunning campus with a traditional college atmosphere, vibrant social scene, fantastic hockey team, unbelievable alumni network - Cons of Cornell: it gets REALLY cold 5) Do you feel that school was the best choice for you? There is no doubt in my mind that Cornell was the best choice for me - the well-rounded education I gained has helped launch my finance career on a strong path and the amazing and diverse group of friends I made on campus have helped shape me into a better person. Cornell afforded me countless opportunities for personal and professional growth, I'm enormously grateful for my peers and teachers at Devon that helped me take that step.
Patrick Mannion ‘09 1) What college did you attend? What major did you study? I attended Harvard College, and studied Economics. 2) What led you to that school? What were you looking for in your college search? I chose Harvard because of the opportunity it provided to pursue my interest in studying government. My interest in this area was piqued in Mike Collins' AP U.S. Government class, which I took in a year that overlapped the 2008 presidential election. At the same time, I was serving as the President of Devon's Student Council and enjoyed the challenge of building consensus while working with my team to get things done. Despite thinking that I wanted to pursue government rather than business, I made the switch to Economics after just one semester, and have worked in business since graduating from college. I was also looking for a semi-urban campus and a school where I could walk on to the swim team, both of which criteria were met by Harvard. 3) What other schools were you seriously considering? I was seriously considering the Huntsman Program in International Studies & Business at Penn, which would have allowed me to study international business with a focus on deepening my expertise in the German language and culture. My interest in German was cultivated by four years of language classes at Devon and a summer exchange the school organized with families in Berlin and Stuttgart, Germany. 4) Reflecting back on your college years, what were some major likes and dislikes about the school? I enjoyed the intellectual community at Harvard and the inspiration that came from meeting people with vastly different backgrounds, passions, and fields of study. The liberal arts core curriculum in particular helped expose me to this broad group of people. At the same time, academic flexibility to try classes in computer science, engineering, visual and environmental studies, and languages taught me new ways of thinking. As far as dislikes go, I would have preferred a shorter winter than the Boston October-to-April variety, particularly when crossing over the Charles River at 6am on the walk to swim practice.
ollege Proces 5) Do you feel that school was the best choice for you? I've always thought of that as a hard thing to judge, given that most people only attend one school and the window provided by visiting other schools or hearing from other students is a limited one. Who knows what path I or anyone would have followed at a different school? That said, I do feel that attending Harvard was the best choice for me - I was incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to study at one of the most highly regarded academic institutions in the world, and to meet fantastic people who helped me challenge myself during college and still offer support and friendship in the working world.
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John Clementi ‘14 1) What college did you attend? What major did you study? I attended Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York, from 2014 to 2018. While at Marist, I studied Environmental Science and Computer Science. 2) What led you to that school? What were you looking for in your college search? I was drawn to Marist for a few reasons. The first was that the Environmental Science department was relatively small, which gave me a chance to really connect with my professors and classmates. Additionally, there are a few notable environmental research organizations in close proximity, namely The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, where I eventually did an internship and NSF funded research project. Finally, if you have ever been up to the Hudson River Valley, it is such a beautiful place. Marist’s campus and the surrounding area are quite picturesque. There is a reason there is an entire group of artists belonging to the Hudson River School of art. I will say that the landscape was the cherry on top - it wasn’t a major factor when I was identifying schools to look at, but once I visited, I fell in love with the campus. 3) What other schools were you seriously considering? Marist was definitely my #1 choice, but I was also considering SUNY-ESF, Ithaca College, and George Mason. 4) Reflecting back on your college years, what were some major likes and dislikes about the school? Firstly, I really enjoyed my studies once I got past the introductory courses. I was surrounded by students and professors that were passionate about the subject matter and fostering a community of learning. I also really appreciated all of the extracurricular opportunities that the college had to offer. One thing I wish I could change about my experience is that I wish we had a larger impact on the sustainability of the college as a whole. Over my four years there, a number of my professors and classmates lobbied the administration for changes such as greenhouse emissions audits leading to emissions reductions. 5) Do you feel that school was the best choice for you? Absolutely. During my time at Marist, I found a home and branched out into theatre, computer science, and residential life while continuing down the path of studying environmental science. I think college atmosphere provides a great petri dish to grow and develop your interests and for me, Marist was the petri dish I needed. I found life-long friendships and interests in activities and areas that I never would have explored. For that I am extremely grateful.
Patrick Rohr ‘15 1) What college did you attend? What major did you study? I attended the University of Scranton and double majored in Accounting & Finance with a minor in Operations Management. 2) What led you to that school? What were you looking for in your college search? When I was searching for colleges, I was looking for a college that felt like home, had a good business program, and an opportunity to play baseball. What led me most to Scranton was the sense of community I felt when I stayed overnight on campus in my senior year of high school. I could see that everyone got along very well and overall, the students and faculty were very welcoming and friendly. Additionally, the members of the baseball team treated me like I was a part of the team for my day on campus. That was the feeling of community that I was looking for in a college. The second thing I was looking for was a college with a good business program with a strong and involved alumni network. Scranton offered many opportunities throughout the year to network and meet alumni, as well as offer programs to strengthen my interview skills and resume. The final thing I was looking for was an opportunity to play baseball. Although this was not my main focus of finding a college, I saw it as an “added bonus” to be able to play baseball at the collegiate level, and Scranton offered me this opportunity. 3) What other schools were you seriously considering? I was between two schools when I made my decision: DeSales University and University of Scranton. Both schools offered me a great sense of community, a strong business program and an opportunity to play baseball at the collegiate level. 4) Reflecting back on your college years, what were some major likes and dislikes about the school? Looking back at my college years, I really only have positives and I don’t have many negatives about Scranton. I found that Scranton is a great size school with approximately 4000 undergrad students. This size really drove the sense of community feel on campus because I was always in a class with people I knew, and even walking around campus, I would see my friends and be able to say hello. At Scranton, I wasn’t a number. To go along with the size of Scranton, another positive was that I could walk to every single class. I did not have to worry about taking a bus or driving my car as everything was within a short walking distance. Another positive was the on-campus dining options which were actually really good. From Chick-Fil-A to Starbucks, the food options were amazing. I really don’t have many negative things to say about Scranton but one negative I found at Scranton was that if I needed to go shopping at Target/ Walmart and other stores like that, I would have to drive about 10-15 minutes. For me, this wasn’t a big deal, but it would have been nice to have stores a bit closer to campus. 5) Do you feel that school was the best choice for you? Absolutely. Looking back now, I am grateful that I chose to attend Scranton. It was my second home and I loved being there. I was able to secure a job before I graduated which is a testament to Scranton’s well-known business program and their ability to prepare their students for their career. I made life-long friends and memories which are attributed to Scranton’s sense of family and community on campus, and I had the opportunity to play baseball at the collegiate level for four years. Today, if I had the choice to go to any college in the world or go back to Scranton, I would choose Scranton.
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College Acceptances and Scholarships Class of 2021 As of 5/24/2021, the 54 members of the class of 2021 have been offered over $13,000,000 in merit scholarships
Jacob Andrien Temple University
John C. George Temple University
Coleman R. Miller Villanova University
Niral Bangha University of Pittsburgh (BS/MS/MBA and Honors)
Griffin C. Gillece Gettysburg College
Christopher Patton King’s College
Paul J. Grycewicz Wake Forest University
Michael S. Romano DeSales University
Jack H. Hermes West Chester University
Andrew M. Sack Penn State University
Stefan A. Jonsson University of Utah
Noah A. Salewski Gettysburg College
Robert E. Joy Clemson University
Joseph Savit St. Joseph’s University
Jackson W. Kelly Drexel University
Joseph A. Scavitto Cornell University
Nathaniel Kelly University of Pittsburgh
John P. Schuller DePauw University
Nicholas Kelly Loyola Marymount University
Ethan Skorup University of Tennessee
Ian B. Kennedy Drexel University
William Stanley Drexel University (Honors & STAR Scholar)
Berenger R. Bauers Randolph Macon College Ryan J. Bill Temple University Matthew Bradley Penn State University Vaughn J. Brogan College of Charleston Nadir J. Bryant Stevenson University Aidan Cosgrove Haverford College Noah M. Curry Drexel University Patrick E. Dean University of Alabama (Honors) Anthony J. Deoria University of Tampa Harsha Dheekollu Princeton University Keegan M. Dunfee Villanova University
Thomas Kent High Point University Joseph Koroly Immaculata University Ignacio Llorente Fernandez St. Joseph’s University (Honors)
Mattew L. Egan Fordham University
Jake Lorenz University of Pittsburgh (Honors and BS/MPA)
Jack W. Eshleman Hamilton College
Daniel J. Manders Drexel University
Zachary T. Fedyk University of Pittsburgh (BA/JD)(Honors)
Ryan J. McCabe University of South Carolina
Michael Ferry Villanova University Ryan T. Foran Penn State University
Colin McCusker St. Joseph’s University Ian M. McKnight Haverford College
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Christopher D. Supplee Fordham University Ryan P. Thiele Penn State University Brendan J. Thompson Duquesne University Benedict F. van Schaijik University of Dallas Eamonn Walsh King’s College Ryan Welsh Penn State University William Welsh Penn State University Michael Woodburn Drexel University (Honors & BS/MS)
Alumni Achievement Award Recipient - Rev. Gerard J. Olinger ‘97 Rev. Gerard J. Olinger, C.S.C., serves as Vice President for Mission Engagement and Church Affairs at the University of Notre Dame, a role he began in August of 2018. In this position, Fr. Olinger stewards and deepens Notre Dame’s Catholic and Holy Cross mission and is the University’s liaison to the Congregation of Holy Cross, the U.S. Bishops, the USCCB and its affiliates, and the Holy See. He also oversees the Tantur Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem, the Notre Dame-Newman Centre for Faith and Reason in Dublin, and the Grotto Network. Previously, Fr. Olinger served as Vice President for University Relations, Vice President for Student Affairs, and Executive Assistant to the President at the University of Portland in Portland, Oregon. He was also a Concurrent Assistant Professor of Political Science in the University of Portland’s College of Arts and Sciences. A native of Springfield, Pennsylvania, Fr. Olinger graduated magna cum laude from Notre Dame with a bachelor’s degree in history and government. He also earned two post-graduate degrees from Notre Dame: a juris doctor cum laude in 2004 and a master of divinity in 2009. While in law school, he served as Executive Notes Editor for the Journal of Legislation and was a member of the Student Bar Association. After law school, Fr. Olinger entered formation with the Congregation of Holy Cross, made his final vows in August of 2009, and was ordained a priest in April of 2010. Fr. Olinger ministers as an in-residence priest in Alumni Hall. Before taking on the position of Vice President for Mission Engagement and Church Affairs, he served on Notre Dame’s Board of Trustees; currently, he is a member of the Board of Directors for King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and the Board of Trustees for Strada Education Network. He is also a member of the state bar in Indiana and Pennsylvania. "I am honored to be named this year's Alumni Achievement Award recipient. Devon Prep formed me academically and spiritually and helped me become the priest I am today. I am grateful and humbled to receive this honor and to be included among the group of impressive past recipients."
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Alumni Achievement Award Ceremony Sunday June 6th, Rev. Gerry Olinger ‘97 will be awarded our prestigious Alumni Achievement Award.
Keep Us Updated!! If you have anything that you would like included in the next issue of the Alumni Newsletter, such as births, weddings, promotions, deaths, etc., please contact Alumni Engagement Officer Tyler Klicka ‘15, at tklicka@devonprep.com
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