PACER Winter 2016 Issue

The Pacer Remembering

Steve

Merritt

A PROFESSION OF FRIENDSHIP Michael Gaynor, Villanova University

At Villanova, we often talk about Augustine as if he were walking around campus, and his unity of heart and mind — both of which remain very heavy and in a fog since Steve Merritt’s recent and untimely passing.

For the past 25 of my 34 years in the Office of University Admission, I have been extremely blessed with the incredible good fortune to work for, and with, Steve.

He was the original undercover boss — although my supervisor, I never ever thought of him that way. A friend and mentor who was gentle, kind, possessing the wisdom of Solomon and the patience of Job, one who always listened to the voices that needed to be heard.

Steve introduced me to the concept of servant leadership that Augustine actually wrote about in the 4th century: “Your superior, however, should consider himself (I am sure Augustine meant herself too), happy not so much in exercising authority over you as in having the opportunity of serving you with charity.”

Steve would talk to me about embracing the abundance mentality, creating community and trust — versus suspicion and turf, not about hierarchy — but consensus, compromise, collaboration and conversation. How we are responsible for the well-being of others, how to be reflective of your own life’s mission. How it is worth risking potential dissidence from

those who report to you by simply being your real self. How you need to be among the people, work hard and engage others.

Steve would ask if your leadership style is worth imitating. Of course, his was, and inspiring (but not intimidating) too… Many of us would walk into a meeting with Steve completely and unequivocally opposed to an issue and walk out knowing full well that somehow he had just done it again — mysteriously through some Jedi mind trick, we were suddenly “all in.”

As the aforementioned title implies — so many of us owe such a great deal to Steve. Beyond the Villanova community, the floodgates have opened up with an outpouring of professions (declarations) from our profession (secondary school counselors, colleges, universities, community based organizations, former VU staffers) about our dearest friend and boss to bud. As one noted “I had to go somewhere with my grief.”

For me and my family, I will be eternally grateful to Steve for showing confidence in me and allowing me to sit in the chair that he once occupied, and for introducing my son, Nick, to Villanova women’s basketball.

Just the other day when faced with “a situation” I said to myself, “what would Steve do?”

Worth imitating indeed.…

WHAT’S INSIDE Reflections on Steve Merritt 2 President’s Letter 5 2014–2015 Executive Committee 4 The Redesigned SAT – An Overview 7 My PACAC Story 6 Book Review 8 Counselor’s Corner 11 Everyday Professional Excellence 12 Coalition Application Allows Application Customization, Helps Under-Resourced Students 13 R.each Y.our F.ull P.otential 14 PACAC Postings 15 Calendar 2015 15

REFLECTIONS ON STEVE MERRITT Becky Bowlby, Harriton High School, with Pat Tomborello, Plymouth Whitemarsh High School

As with many admission professionals, our first meeting was at a college fair. I was an M as I was working at Montgomery County Community College at the time; he was an N. Little did I know that my first encounter with Steve Merritt back in the early 1980’s would be the start of an amazing friendship. He and I would run into each other at the fairs as Steve began his admission career in 1980 with Pat Tamborello who was then at Neumann.

It is a funny story how his job came about at Neumann too.

Steve was a social worker at the time and Pat received so many applications, she did not review Steve’s application as he had no experience in the field. Well, determined man that he was, he called her almost every day until she decided enough was enough…if I don’t bring him in, he will keep calling. So, she brought him in and the rest, as they say, is history. Good for us that she made that wise decision huh? Because of that decision and our running into each other at the fairs as we did, the three of us became fast friends.

The trio of Pat, Steve and Becky continued for years to come. I was involved in PACAC as a Conference Planning Committee member then as a liaison member to the Executive Committee. Steve was also involved and one time in the late ‘80’s, with for the three of us riding home together from a meeting, he urged me to accept the nomination for Treasurer stating that PACAC would not ask again. I did accept that position and was lucky enough to follow Pat Tamborello as treasurer, who really showed me the ropes. She was also very inspired by Steve to get involved in the association and went on to become a superlative leader herself. That was not the only time that we followed each other. Steve was president in 1994-5, Pat in 1995-6 and me the following year…the three of us

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counselors. He also created the Enrollment Management Institute, knowing that there are many strong leaders in the field within PACAC and wanted those leaders to be all that they could be within the organization and within the admission profession.

had the extraordinary opportunity to serve together in the presidential cycle for the organization and it was truly a memorable time.

Steve Merritt’s contributions to the PACAC association are numerous and long lasting. During his tenure as president, he created the position of Conference Planning Chairperson, and I was the fortunate recipient of becoming the first chairperson under his direction.

He had the brainstorm to hire the first ever Executive Secretary for PACAC. He created the opportunity for rising leaders in the organization to take part in an outdoor leadership conference, the Summer Summit. In addition, after Mike Steidel from Carnegie Mellon University created the first Strategic Plan for PACAC, Steve was the one who initiated the plan. He served as a faculty member and Dean of the Summer Institute for new admission and school

Be all that you can be, and be the best you can be were words and actions that Steve Merritt lived by. He was my boss in the late 1980’s and early ‘90’s at Thomas Jefferson University.

He hired me after I called him at least once a week for many weeks, anxious at the chance to work with him and the team he had molded. Maybe he recognized that same tenacity as when he pulled that on Pat at Neumann. He was, by his own words, unsure about hiring me at first and consulted with the third part of our trio, Pat Tamborello, who gave him a ringing endorsement about me. He and I worked long and hard together, but what I always admired and respected about him is that he never asked me to do anything he was unwilling to do; he rolled up his sleeves and always pitched in. I took that model when I moved on to subsequent positions and never forgot who taught it to me. He was my go to person every time I made a job change, and would offer his sage advice in that reasonable and patient tone he had about whether I should make the switch or not. He was right each and every time. I have him to thank for the Continued on page 10

Remembering

Steve

Merritt

FALL 2015 • 3

2015 – 2016 Executive Committee Officers

Committee Chairs

President Misty Whelan Conestoga High School

Admission Practices Michael May Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Immediate Past President/ Chair of Governance & Nominating Ian Harkness Malvern Preparatory School

College Fairs Keo Oura Kounlavong-Sabath Harrisburg Academy

President-Elect Edwin Wright Lebanon Valley College

Communications Corinne Logan Saint Joseph’s Preparatory School

Chair of Finance & Budget Tim Gallen The Solebury School

Conference Planning Sarah Lasoff Cabrini College

Treasurer Dave Antoniewicz Widener University

Government Relations Melissa Boltz Conestoga High School

Treasurer-Elect Justin Mohney Carnegie Mellon University

Inclusion, Access, & Success Beth Davis Temple University

Directors Director of Marketing Justin Ledesma Villanova University

At-Large Delegates to the Executive Committee Jeremy Branch Penn State University – Brandywine Campus Krista Evans Lehigh University Cheryl Stewart-Miller LaRoche College Advisory Members to the Executive Committee Executive Assistant Andrea Cassell PACAC Conference Planning Chair Elect Ryan Gillon Villanova University

Membership Bryn Campbell Saint Joseph’s University Professional Development Stephanie Shandra MMI Preparatory School

Director of Public Advocacy Christina Wood Year Up New York Director of Professional Development Geoff Broome Capture Higher Ed

PACAC MISSION STATEMENT The Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling (PACAC) is a professional organization dedicated to advocating for equity and promoting access and success for post-secondary education. PACAC meets the diverse educational needs of school counselors and college admission processionals, students, families, and other constituents across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

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The Pacer Staff Tom Camillo Michele Diehl Dr. Nicola DiFronzo-Heitzer Paula Dofat Edward Flaherty Hillen Grason Karen Graziano Mara Greiner Julie Hertz Corinne Logan Casey McVay Ryan Mignone Linda Miller Justin Mohney Loren Morgan Michelle O’Donnell Sally O’Rourke Alan Paynter Lauren Savage Debra Saylor Cheryl Stewart-Miller Matthew Swab Rebecca VanderMeulen Jory Wamsley Christina Wood Like Us on Facebook Like ‘Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling’ on Facebook to stay up-todate on PACAC news.

Mailing The Pacer is a quarterly publication of PACAC. Please send any comments, corrections, and/or questions to: Corinne Logan St. Joseph’s Preparatory School clogan@sjprep.org

President’s Letter

Frost is in the air and holiday music fills the silence this Sunday morning. “It is the most wonderful time of the year” according to the lyrics. Yet, recently there has been much tragedy and sadness in the world and within our very own organization. We lost another great one who touched my life in a very personal way. His photo remains scrolling on the PACAC website. When Steve Merritt spoke, people listened.

I was honored to sit on that panel, pictured on the website, at the PACAC 2012 conference in Seven Springs where we discussed PACAC’s history and its influence in Pennsylvania’s college admissions work. Steve was a huge part of that history. If you only have a few minutes to read the Pacer this time, then I encourage you to stop reading this, and turn back to the front cover and read, in its entirety, Becky, Pat, and Michael’s tribute article to a man who embodied the principles and integrity on which PACAC stands. In that light, I am once again reminded of the privilege and honor to serve as its president.

There is much to celebrate in spite of the sadness of losing Steve.

As the song suggests, it is a wonderful time to be a leader in PACAC. So many motivated and talented leaders are at work and if you are reading for the first time, you should not hesitate to get more involved in our association. There are many exciting plans in the air and there is no better time to jump in! We

recently completed the first webinar for this year which got rave reviews. Earlier this fall, we held our new style College Counseling Workshop at Shippensburg to a larger than expected group. Look for more of these workshops across the state — they serve both new professionals and veteran counselors.

Way to go, PDC (Professional Development Committee)! The Ad Hoc Committee on Secondary School counselors is working hard to increase our secondary school counselor resources and membership. They are picking up where our previous Ad Hoc Committee left off with collaborating with graduate school counselor certification programs. In addition, they are finding new and creative ways to attract our secondary school members such as the plans that are underway for a college tour that will be a featured pre-conference activity in Hershey this June.

Our current work, however, is possible because of past leaders who laid the ground work for the 2015–2016 PACAC Executive Committee. That list is a long line of dedicated and talented people, who like Steve Merritt, put their heart and soul into their work and to PACAC. Past President’s, past Standing Committee Chairs, PACAC Officers, NACAC Committee members, and our Executive Assistants are all folks we should take time to thank. We should especially thank those who agreed to continue on a 4th year having “only” agreed to volunteer for a three-year commitment or others who jumped into an unexpected role when needed.

These leaders’ work has inspired our current accomplishments. As I write, I’ve been in touch with another important member of PACAC’s history, who will be returning this summer to speak in Hershey — stay tuned!!

“

As the song suggests, it is a wonderful time to be a leader in PACAC. So many motivated and talented leaders are at work and if you are reading for the first time, you should not hesitate to get more involved in our association. There are many exciting plans in the air and there is no better time to jump in!”

passionate people. As I mentioned in my last column, building relationships makes such a difference in our students’ lives, but clearly in our professional lives as well. I have taken on a new role at Conestoga this year and would not have been able to manage without the encouragement of the PACAC family.

This organization is my inspiration. Have a wonderful holiday wherever it takes you — take time to relax, breath in the fresh winter air, and enjoy the music.

Misty Whelan Conestoga High School

PACAC is strong both organizationally and financially due to so many

FALL 2015 • 5

My PACAC Story Taylor Miller, Albright College Ryan Mignone, Widener University

Taylor Miller has quickly made an indelible impression during her two-year tenure in higher education.

The admission counselor from Albright College won the 2015 James McKeever Promising Professional Award at PACAC’s 52nd Annual Conference at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Nominator Geoff Broome worked together with Taylor at Albright for about four months as the Director of Admission. He lauded her enthusiasm saying she epitomizes a promising young professional. “She jumped in with both feet and she was always open to new ideas and searching for ways to better herself and the staff.

In this profession to grow, that’s what it takes,” he said.

SIn fact, Taylor can trace her desire to work in higher education back to her days at Lafayette College while working alongside the admissions staff in various roles. During her senior year, she led the ambassador committee, helped hire tour guides, assisted with Open House events, interviewed students and covered a few college fairs. That’s when it became clear that “this is something I definitely want to do,” she said. Taylor graduated in May 2013 with a double major in Asian Studies and Geology.

Nearly four months later she began her admission journey at Green Mountain College, whisked away to Pittsburgh, Ithaca and Baltimore to name just a few cities she visited during her marathon first-travel season. Though the length of travel was at times daunting, she put nearly 10,000 miles on a rental car in a six week period; she grew to enjoy the comradery of the other counselors out on the road. Taylor stayed at Green Mountain for almost a year and joined Albright in July 2014, where she began working with Geoff on various projects,

6 • THE PACER

such as designing a new route for student tour guides.

Taylor attended her first PACAC Conference in 2014, where she recalled feeling slightly overwhelmed.

Yet, she saw one familiar face, Chuck Bachman, whom she considers one of her mentors. “Chuck really took me under his wing and introduced me to everyone,” she said. “I was able to hear a lot of great stories and network.” Taylor even co-presented at the conference. Her session was titled, “Understanding the ExtraversionIntroversion Spectrum in Admission and College Counseling.” “I went into the presentation and saw 20 people and I was shocked,” she said. Afterwards she heard positive feedback from attendees saying they appreciated the subject since it’s uncommon. “It was a cool moment to know other people who are interested in similar issues,” she said.

Taylor enjoyed her first conference so much that she decided to join the Conference Planning Committee (CPC) for the following year at Seven Springs. As the planning and excitement began to build for the 52nd Annual Conference, Taylor continued to work hard on the Hospitality subcommittee.

“With CPC, I grew and felt connected going to different meetings throughout the year,” she said. Once the big event arrived, she possessed insider knowledge of the layout and felt like a seasoned veteran.

Unassumingly, during the Gustafson Award Dinner Taylor sat the farthest from the stage. When Geoff started speaking, she had a difficult time hearing him; the thought ran through

her mind that he was talking about someone from Drexel University (where he then worked). All of a sudden she ascertained and made the connection that he was extoling her! “I didn’t know if I had shown that much promise [to win the award]. I was honored that Geoff saw that in me and it was definitely a special moment that I will always remember.”

Where can Taylor go from here?

Knowing expectations are high, Taylor said she’s up for the challenge. “I want to make Albright the best it can be and I am eager to learn as much as I can in the process,” she said. Furthermore, she will continue to serve on CPC for the 53rd Annual Conference in Hershey, co-chairing Hospitality with Mark Mehlmann from Rutgers University.

Originally from Glenside, PA, Taylor enjoys reading, taking dance classes, spending time with family and friends, and watching shows on Netflix.

The Redesigned SAT — An Overview Dr. Nicola DiFronzo-Heitzer, Immaculata University and Cheryl Stewart-Miller, La Roche College

Everyone is talking about newly redesigned SAT, which will be given for the first time in March 2016. When the College Board announced the test would be resigned, I admit I believed it was a case of “everything that is old is new again.” I thought that the test was reverting back to its origins: two sections — verbal and math — and a 1600 perfect score. Yet, after I met with a representative from College Board, it became evident that this was not the case; rather, the changes are a bit more complex than they appear.

The College Board says that the main reason for the redesign is “The world needs more people who can solve problems, communicate clearly, and understand complex relationships. The SAT Suite of Assessments focuses on the skills and knowledge that will help today’s students meet that need.”

Education professionals need to know several key points about the new test.

First, it includes three sections — 1) Evidence-Based Reading and Writing; 2) Math; and 3) An essay portion, which is now optional.

“

One colleague said that CMU leadership is still deciding on requiring or recommending the essay and that there is not a clear consensus on this among peer institutions.”

Next, the scoring scale will range from 400 to 1600 points. For institutions that use a “super score” method, the College Board cautions against taking sectional scores from different versions of the test.

Third, unlike the current SAT, the updated version requires no prior knowledge for the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section. Students are asked to support their answers from a passage they have read. This is a major change from the current SAT which requires rote memorization (remember all those words you memorized from piles of flash cards?

Of course not!). Instead, this section focuses on understanding words in context. Now students are asked to analyze data and make inferences.

Mastering a command of evidence (interpreting words and information that lead one to a particular conclusion) is a key component of the testing.

Fourth, for the Math section of the test, the redesigned SAT focuses on math that research has shown is essential for college readiness and contributes to career training. Three key areas are problem solving and data analysis (quantitative literacy), the “heart” of algebra (mastery of linear equations) and advanced math (familiarity with more complete equations).

Students are given three hours to complete the first two parts of the test, and then are provided an additional 50 minutes for the optional essay portion.

The redesigned essay will more closely mirror college writing assignments; cultivate close reading, careful analysis and clear writing; and promote the

practice of reading a wide variety of arguments and analyzing an author’s work. In addition, the new essay section will contain only the essay. The current SAT essay section contains a number of multiple choice writing-focused questions that are being blended into the new SAT’s Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section.

While colleagues at many colleges in Pennsylvania have indicated their institutions will continue to not consider the essay section of the SAT in making admittance decisions, other institutions, such as Carnegie Mellon University, are still weighing in on that decision. One colleague said that CMU leadership is still deciding on requiring or recommending the essay and that there is not a clear consensus on this among peer institutions.

While each correct answer on the test will yield one point for a student, students will be pleased to know that they will no longer be penalized for guessing at answers nor will points be subtracted for incorrect answers.

Finally, to help themselves prepare for the exam, students will now be able to take free, personalized SAT practice tests through a partnership created between College Board and Khan Academy, a non-profit educational organization. Part of the practice involves watching short video lectures.

There is also a free app, Daily Practice, for the new SAT that students can use to prepare for the test.

FALL 2015 • 7

Book Review

Meet the Author Author Meg Mitchell Moore talks with The Pacer contributor and essay coach Linda Miller about her new book, The Admissions (Doubleday, 2015).

By the time I finished reading The Admissions, I felt as if I had applied to Harvard.

Moore’s novel about a Northern California high school senior and her family made me squirm. It was nerve wracking. Intense. Pressure building everywhere. Angela, Moore’s bright, but-fading-fast valedictorian, was losing steam with her studies and her running.

Yet Harvard remained her one and only target.

Like most readers I seek out books that offer passage to new places, but when The Admissions debuted late this summer, I knew it would hit close to home. And I was okay with that.

Did Moore do her homework? Did she get it right? Might she have included application essays in her prose?

Turns out she nailed it, and I wanted to know how she pulled it off. Here’s what Moore had to say about her book, her research and some of the real people behind her story.

Where did you get the idea for this book? Were you ever Angela at some point in your life?

I was a good student but I wasn’t Angela. Three years ago my family moved to California for one year for my husband’s job. I was working on a different book that wasn’t quite working and was trying to figure out my next move. I was watching and listening a lot.

I overheard a woman say that the Ivies aren’t taking (students) from the public schools in this town anymore. You have to go to private school, boarding school if you want to get in. And I thought, “Oh my God. We just paid so much money

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on a house to live in this town because the public schools are so good.” What a fascinating nugget to overhear. And people there spend a lot of money for houses so they can live in the right town, and the parents are VERY involved. And it was amazing to see what these parents did for their kids.

Once you committed to the book where did you begin your research?

I have a very good family friend who is a high school AP English teacher in a public school near Baltimore, and she helped me. She was my main source for all things Angela related. So I started asking her early on about everything.

Meg Mitchell Moore, Author, “The Admissions”

Did you ever talk with anyone in admissions?

I didn’t really. I do have an acquaintance from junior high school that got in touch with me after one of my other books was published and it turns out he actually works for Harvard. He’s not an admissions officer, and he couldn’t give any big secrets, but when I had questions about the process or the timing he would help and he gave me a couple little details.

The one thing that comes through in the story is how really exceptional kids often feel like a failure as they go through this application process. Is that something you wanted to address?

My oldest daughter is in seventh grade this year so we’re not there yet. She’s a very good student and she puts

pressure on herself and I see that sort of thing coming. You hear kids — she’s got smart friends — saying, “Why don’t I go to Harvard?” And I say to myself, “None of you are going to Harvard.” I don’t say that out loud but it’s interesting how early that sort of happens — being impressed by the elite institutions. So I did want to address that.

There’s a book I read long ago by a Marin County psychologist — this is

before I started the book — and she was talking about in her part of the country — where the fictional family lives — how she sees patients all the time who have these high achieving students who feel they’re not good enough. So that always stuck with me too. In those worlds the standards are so high that no matter what you’re doing you can feel like you’re not doing enough. It’s scary.

Did you set out to write a novel with that theme already in place?

For me the theme emerges as I write. I always start with the characters. Angela did come to me first. I remember writing the first chapter after the prologue and she was sitting at her desk doing her homework. That came to me really quickly and I thought, “Who is this girl and what’s her story?” And after that the rest of the family came around and after that I realized there’s a wider thing here I’m addressing than just this one girl. It started small and expanded.

Gotten any feedback from Harvard?

No. I haven’t heard from Harvard.

The Princeton Review really loved it.

They did a whole promotion on their website, did an interview with me, and I think they’re promoting it with some sort of fall mailing — something about bookmarks going into bags somewhere.

They really jumped on board, which was fun.

Have you heard from other colleges? Or parents?

I have friends and acquaintances who work in college admissions counseling and so far I’ve heard really positive things about how realistically the

“

I guess my advice would be that in my opinion there is no single path for any one person, and there are many, many different ways to have a great college experience. For some people, being a top student at a less competitive school may ultimately be more rewarding than being in the middle or bottom at a very competitive college.”

process is portrayed. Many of my readers are parents, and I have heard a wide variety of responses: that I got it exactly right, that the book stressed them out, that it made them laugh, that it made them happy they are done with the college admissions process OR very happy that it’s far in their future, that it made them feel better about their kids, worse about their kids…you name it!

And you even mentioned the essay early in the book and how it’s the best part of the application. Please tell me you didn’t make that up.

That came from my high school friend.

She actually read a late draft for me and she said I didn’t emphasize the essay enough because that’s really on these kids’ minds all the time.

Is it your hope that more college admissions staffers read the book to better understand the power they exert in students’ lives?

I don’t think it’s the colleges. It’s the parents. I’ve read interviews with admissions counselors where they say, “We don’t want it to be this crazy.” They are looking for exceptional kids but not because they’re doing 50 activities a day. I think it’s getting crazier than colleges probably ever meant it to be.

Parents do turn themselves inside out during application season. Do you think it’s worth it?

You know ... I ... Ahh ... No. I don’t think it can possibly all be worth it because there are so many great colleges that aren’t the ones people go for.

Personally, I did not get into Columbia, which I thought was my dream school and I really wanted to go there. I went to Providence College in Rhode Island, which is a small Catholic liberal arts school. I got such a phenomenal education there. I don’t ever wish I went to a different school. I feel like I got a wonderful, wonderful education there and a great liberal arts foundation that probably had a lot to do with eventually becoming a writer. I guess my advice would be that in my opinion there is no single path for any one person, and there are many, many different ways to have a great college experience. For Continued on next page

FALL 2015 • 9

REFLECTIONS ... continued from page 2

help in shaping my own career. I read a quote the other day that summarizes the professional part of the relationship for Pat and me with Steve and it is: “Admire your heroes. Adapt from your models. Learn from your mentors.”

But the bonds of friendship extended beyond the workplace and the association. Our children, now all adults, grew up together. We spent countless hours at Pat’s house at the shore in West Wildwood, checking out bargains at a multitude of stores in Delaware, watching movies at his house during his infamous movie nights and having fun. We had many long dinners with great conversation usually about politics and any controversial topic he could find, as well as great peals of laughter, regaling funny stories over and over.

We celebrated birthdays, holidays and weddings, always having the best times together. We cried at funerals too as Steve was there when both Pat and I lost our mothers, just as we were there for him when he lost his wife and mother.

We know those of you who knew Steve through the profession or PACAC saw his serious, long-sleeved, and buttoned up to the collar side. But we were lucky enough to see the funny, caring,

Are

You

Charged

with transfer

admissions & enrollment?

10 • THE PACER

book review

“

continued from page 9

He was the ultimate professional in college admissions and having that professional demeanor was important to him.”

loving side of his personality, too. He was always doing something kind, like bringing flowers to us just because, or calling to see what the latest news was or checking on how our children were doing. It was never about him, but always about us, and he made us, and everyone, feel special.

How do you sum up the person that Steve Merritt was? He was the ultimate professional in college admissions and having that professional demeanor was important to him. But, he was also a wonderful father to Keith and Erin, a great mentor to many, a great son and brother. He was our best friend whom we loved with all of our hearts. We will miss every single day for the rest of our lives.

some people, being a top student at a less competitive school may ultimately be more rewarding than being in the middle or bottom at a very competitive college.

So your final message to parents would be?

It’s so easy to forget that these kids have pressure on them all the time and it’s easy as a parent to forget what that must feel like. That wasn’t what it was like when I was a kid. I mean I was busy but I wasn’t the kind of busy kids are now. And I didn’t have people pounding on me all the time to do this, do this, go here, go here. My editor wanted a book for the Angela’s of the world, and we did work on that quite a bit making her point of view a little wider. So I’m hoping some Angela’s will read it too and say, “Hey, I’m not alone.” or “This is not worth it.”

Linda Miller is a freelance writer and college application essay coach based in Berks County, Pennsylvania. She also blogs for her local public library and earlier this year posted a review about the book. To read more: https://betheltulplibrary.wordpress. com/2015/09/30/linda-applies-to-harvardnot-really-but-it-felt-that-way/

Then you should attend the 3rd Annual TAAC Conference May 25, 2016 | Hosted by Saint Joseph’s University Keynote Speaker David Hawkins, Executive Director for Educational Content and Policy for the National Association of College Admissions Counseling (HACAC) More information — including registration and session proposal submissions —can be found at: pataac.wordpress.com

COUNSELOR’S CORNER Julie Hertz, Shady Side Academy

To All the Reps Who Read My Recs ...

Julie Hertz

If my calculations are correct, those of you on the admission side will be reading this column sometime in mid-January—right around the time the first few weeks of postholiday, excited to read from home, “This is going to be the best class ever” reading gives way to the grueling, PJ-wearing, haven’t breathed fresh air in two days, “Didn’t I just read this essay?” regular decision slug-fest. At the same time, my colleagues on the high school side will be experiencing a day or two (maybe even a week or two!) of calm following the storm of Fall and January 1 deadlines before the junior class starts to think it’s all about them.

If you are like me, you are breathing a sigh of relief that your letter writing is done for the year; your words now in the hands of our admission friends.

But is it that simple? Do we as counselors really just write a letter, hit “submit” on eDocs, and call it a day?

It’s not quite that easy. Now comes the waiting ...

I experience the same uneasiness as the applicants, knowing that my words are being read and interpreted (and hopefully not misinterpreted) by admission professionals around the world.

I was once on the admission side. And no soft spot in the application alluded me. Didn’t take the highest level of math available? Deny!

Now? I’m a total softy.

It didn’t happen overnight, but it happened quickly. As soon as I came to realize that there is so much more to these students than you ever learn about in an application. They are smart, caring, hardworking (usually), and well-intentioned. But most importantly, they are kids. They do great things,

but they also make mistakes. They are not finished growing mentally or physically, so we should not expect a finished, perfect product from them in application form.

So what does a reformed no-nonsense application reader want those reading her recs to know?

• Yes, I support all of my students “enthusiastically,” but not for the same reasons. I am fortunate to be in a field that I love, in a school with wonderful resources where students are, by and large, engaged and excited about the college process. Not everyone comes to me with the same abilities and talents, and, admittedly, some have a bit of growing to do.

(Don’t we all?) For these students, I ask that you take some extra time on the rec. I did.

• Some recs really do write themselves.

But it’s not the ones you think. That kid with straight A’s, who is also student body president and a lead in the musical? They can be very tough to capture accurately on paper without sounding like a cheesy high school stereotype. On the other hand, that quirky student with the B average who writes his own music and grows organic produce in his back yard? No problem!

• Remember that this is a human process. These are good kids, and they really just want to get into college so that they can stop worrying that they are going to be stuck living with their parents forever.

Let’s help them on this journey.

• Each one of my letters is like a miniature research paper. I start with my own thoughts and observations of a student, then go back to my own notes, finally diving deeper, reading over teacher comments from their time with us. It is wonderful to learn about how a student developed over time. It is also time consuming.

FALL 2015 • 11

Everyday Professional Excellence Using happiness to impact relationships and your success Karen Graziano, President of Graziano Career Works, LLC and Visiting Assistant Professor, Villanova University

An employee at my favorite café always greets me with a warm smile and a personalized, caring question about my work and classes. This heartfelt welcome is, what I term, everyday professional excellence. One day, when I returned the welcome, the employee asked, “Why are you so happy every day?” I jokingly asked her the same in return and we both laughed as we realized, for us, our happiness is our everyday set point and is as common as each morning’s cup of coffee. It’s how we start our day.

Karen Graziano

The café employee’s question doesn’t surprise me. My clients and students respond similarly when I’m genuinely excited to greet them and I know they appreciate my happiness. “Your enthusiasm stands out,” they say; however, I’m struck when I’m thanked for it. What they consider unusual, is second nature for me. Each day, I find different motives to be happy. At the café, it was the thought of green tea with honey that would soothe a sore throat. It might be teaching a new book in the classroom or joining a conference call to share exciting ideas. The little.

The everyday. The potential. It all makes me happy.

This brings up a topic that’s significant for all of us. How can we, every single day, have a happy disposition? How can we develop it and use it for everyday professional excellence? It’s neither an oxymoron nor an impossibility to achieve and one doesn’t have to have a Eureka moment, either. As Isaac Asimov explained, “The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds the new discoveries, is not ‘Eureka!’

(I found it), but, ‘That’s funny…’”

We need to cultivate more of those “funny” moments to help us develop professionally.

12 • THE PACER

To help you understand, I’ll share with you a story from Drew Dudley’s TED Talk, entitled “Everyday Leadership.” He describes a scene we can relate to. It’s college orientation day and a student is embarking on the most dramatic change in her life. She doesn’t think she’s ready and, as she stands in line at the student center, she’s second-guessing herself. Drew Dudley is there and is handing out lollipops for a charity. For this one student, the lollipop changes everything very quickly. Years later, she shared with Dudley what happened that day that changed her disposition.

“All of a sudden you got to me and you just stopped. And you stared,” she said.

“You said to the guy behind me, ‘You need to give a lollipop to the beautiful woman standing next to you,’ and he did.” In that moment, she felt at ease and the second-guessing evaporated.

Excitement gained a foothold. Shortly after that life-changing introduction, the girl and guy in the story began dating and are now married. Dudley was invited to their wedding, even though he doesn’t remember the moment.

Now that’s funny! He changed lives by being his happy self and by expressing everyday professional excellence.

To test my theory that happiness impacts relationships and paves a road to everyday professional excellence, I decided to display more of my happiness in the MBA and college courses I teach, and client meetings I host. I chose to follow Tom Peters’ advice, “Celebrate what you want to see more of.” Last week, I celebrated with lollipops, of course, and told Drew Dudley’s story. As I handed out lollipops to my students, I asked them what they thought and I shared that specific TED talk. Their response was that everyday moments of excellence do impact others, even if we don’t see the impact. Thanking someone is one of the simplest and most meaningful things that we can do. Join me in celebrating everyday excellence by nurturing those “funny” moments, telling others how thankful we are, and giving out more lollipops!

Coalition Application allows application customization, helps under-resourced students Paula Dofat, Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women

In the beginning, there was the Common Application, introduced in 1975. Its purpose: to make the college application process easier. Colgate University, Vassar College and a handful of other private colleges and universities had a similar admissions requirement — to produce a common form students could photocopy and mail in — and goals to eliminate redundancy and increase college access. Today the Common Application has more than 600 members.

Then, in 2007, the for-profit Universal College Application was introduced. A competitor to the Common Application, it also saves a student time and work, but doesn’t reflect a certain educational viewpoint. It asks only for participating institutions to be accredited and uphold NACAC’s Statement of Principles of Good Practice. It has 46 members, down from 77 just five years ago.

Now, the Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success is introducing the newest “common” application — the Coalition Application — as well as a free, optional tool called the Virtual College Locker, a “portfolio” system that will go live in April 2016.

(The application will be available in summer 2016.) The Coalition board, in introducing this new online application, cited its responsibility to “communicate and connect with under-resourced schools and students.”

Like the Common Application, the Coalition Application will have some factual information that students will input, such as their name and high school, but unlike the Common Application, each college will prepare its own questions, customizing applications according to respective needs and criteria.

Many questions in the Coalition application will be linked to material in the Virtual College Locker; this tool will be of help, in particular, to students who don’t have access to college counseling or pricey college-planning tools. The locker will help students, beginning in ninth grade, to prepare and organize for the college admissions process. They will be able to confidentially store in an online portfolio various academic documents, recommendation letters, awards, class work, essays, resumes, etc. Students, via laptop, tablet or mobile device, will be able to retrieve and share materials, should they so choose, with guidance counselors, college counselors, teachers, mentors and/or community-based organization partners. Colleges will be able, at the request of a student, to provide feedback to a student early in the student’s high school career.

The Coalition Board hopes that this new option changes the way students, colleges and society think about the admissions process.

aid for in-state residents. Private colleges and universities must provide “sufficient financial aid to meet the full, demonstrated financial need of every admitted domestic student.”

In a Times Higher Education article, Stephen Farmer, vice-president for enrollment and undergraduate admissions at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said UNC is joining “because of the opportunity in this new approach to interact with low-income students much earlier, and to help them prepare for admission.

We’ve got to broaden our thinking about what constitutes talent,” he said.

“This approach will lead universities to focus on developing the talent of high school students, not just picking already talented high school seniors.”

For more information about the Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success; the Coalition Application; the Virtual College Locker, and a list of member institutions: see www. coalitionforcollegeaccess.org.

The Coalition currently includes 80 member institutions; every Ivy League university is represented, as well as a many liberal arts colleges and some public institutions. Coalition member institutions must have at least a 70-percent, six-year federal graduation rate. Public universities are required, as well, to have affordable tuition and need-based financial

FALL 2015 • 13

R.each Y.our F.ull P.otential Kelly Fogarty, Guest Writer

“This issue’s column is by Kelly Fogarty, who previously worked in admissions at Morehead State University. On the College Admission Counselor Facebook group, Kelly started on online motivation program for the beginning of travel season. She shares more about the group and staying motivated below. Stay healthy, friends!”

— Corinne Logan Corinne Logan

Isn’t it ironic that the most important times to stay on top of your health, nutrition, and fitness — travel season and the holidays — are the hardest times to keep it all in check?

There is not a convenient time to feel down and out, especially during this hectic time of year. If you’re an admissions counselor who is out on the road, you know exactly what I am talking about. It’s not easy to make healthy choices, exercise, and choose healthy snacks when you are out of your normal routine. Even if you’re a counselor who doesn’t travel, if you’re in the schools or in the office, this is an important time to make your health a priority.

I know what you’re thinking: “But I don’t have time.” I’ve been there before.

Think of it this way, though: if you don’t have time right now to set aside 30 minutes each day to move and a few more minutes to make healthy choices, then how is getting sick or not feeling well going to fit into your schedule?

These busy times are what makes it hard to stay accountable and easy to make excuses to not work out, to stop at McDonald’s, to add some extra cream to our coffee.

In an effort to prevent setbacks, I now lead online accountability groups as a former admissions counselor and current health and wellness coach. I

14 • THE PACER

know what it’s like to be on the road before 5 a.m. I know what it’s like to show up at a fair before 8 a.m. and to be offered delicious pastries. I know what it’s like to not get home or to the hotel until 11 p.m. just to do it all again the next day. Never mind the crazy hours that are exhausting, but also the need to be “on” at all times to answer students’ questions and build relation­ ships with counselors. It’s not easy.

If you’re trying to find time to exercise, I have some news: you won’t. Time is not going to make itself available for you.

Instead, make time. Create a schedule and ensure that within your schedule is time to move. Don’t overcomplicate it, don’t overthink it. Just do it. Some of you are already well on your way to healthy habits, but it’s not easy to start a new routine.

Motivation and accountability are what I am here for. That’s what sparked the idea of leading an online accountability group for those looking to kick-start their healthy routines. In September I hosted a closed accountability and motivation group on Facebook for those who had an interest in starting a healthy routine, or just giving their current one a little boost. About 20 people participated, and each day the challengers of the group committed to their daily action, worked hard, and made positive progress with their health.

We are all unique. We all have different goals, needs and backgrounds. Some people are more athletic than others, some prefer a burger over a salad, some have knee injuries, and some prefer working out in the morning rather than the evening. This group did not exclude people because of their differences. It embraced them and encouraged the challengers to find a routine or healthy habit that is right for them. Participants received motivation from me and from each other. My role is to facilitate a place for a like-minded group of people ready to make a step in the healthy direction. The real accountability and motivation comes from the group members themselves and their interactions, encouragement and posts.

Each month I lead accountability groups like this, which help people start or strengthen their routine. They last about one week to act as a boost to get healthy, and are absolutely free of charge. If this type of group is something that interests you, please contact me so we can work together to help you develop and reach your goals.

I can be reached via e-mail at kellyannf57@gmail.com. To get healthy tips, motivation, inspiration and the inside scoop on upcoming challenge groups, please visit www.faccebook. com/livewellwithkell

pacac Postings winter 2015 New Hires

CAREER & POSITION CHANGES

Bucknell University hired three Assistant Directors of Admissions — Christopher Clinton, Candace Leake, and Jenny Kim. Molly Mulderrig also joined Bucknell as an Admissions Counselor.

Chris La Tempa joined Malvern Preparatory School as an Associate Director of College Counseling after two years with Salesianum School.

Carnegie-Mellon University hired Dave Debor as an Assistant Director of Admission. He was previously Assistant Director of Admission at Washington & Jefferson College.

Julie Sitko joined Moon Area High School as a College and Career Counselor.

Saint Joseph University hired Kate Murphy as an Admissions Counselor.

Kate was previously with Loyola University in Maryland. Also hired was Rebecca Rose as an Associate Director.

She joins the staff from Rockford University, Illinois.

Alexandra Sossi ’13 joined Washington & Jefferson College as an Assistant Director of Admission.

Widener University welcomes Ryan Mignone and Doug Ulrich as Assistant Directors of Admissions.

weddings Justine Walter, counselor at Pennsbury High School, wed Sean McEachern on Nov. 14, 2015.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS The school counselors of Allegheny County are pleased that their local unit of the Pennsylvania School Counselors Association has changed its name, as of Oct. 30, 2015, to the Allegheny County School Counselors Association. This name change is consistent with the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). The group urges related professionals to attend the 60th Annual PSCA Conference Feb. 18–20, 2016.

See atwww.psca-web.org for more information.

2016

Calendar

February

4th–5th Pittsburgh National College Fair 18th Greater Norristown Regional College Fair 26th Pacer articles due

March 3rd Center Valley Regional College Fair 4th College Counseling Workshop: Southeastern PA (Cabrini College) 10th Lancaster County Regional College Fair 21st Pacer issue goes live For more information on College Counseling Workshops or to register please visit https://pacac.memberclicks.net/ college-counseling-101-workshops For more information on Regional College Fairs or to register please visit https://pacac.memberclicks. net/college-fairs

Jason Barshinger, Vanessa Whitfield ’14 and Hilary Swartz ’15 are new Admissions Counselors at Wilson College.

PROMOtIONs Wilson College promoted Michael Montana to Director of Admissions and Michael Easton to Assistant Director of Admissions.

FALL 2015 • 15

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

HARRISBURG PA PERMIT NO. 533

Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling P.O. Box 859 Enola, PA 17025 www.pacac.org

Join Us in Working Toward Student Success:

The 4th Annual College Success Forum in Western PA Loren Morgan, Central Catholic High School

The Western PA College Success Roundtable, working in partnership with PACAC, is excited to announce the 4th Annual College Success Forum to be held at Robert Morris University on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 from 9am3pm. The day will include opportunities for professional development as well as chances to network and gain new connections that will help you to better serve the students with whom you work.

The day will begin with a keynote address from Scott E. Miller, Senior

Vice President of Federal Relations for the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, who will share insights into the state and federal financial aid processes, as well as share insight on how we can best advocate for students in connection with government. Breakout sessions will then provide participants a wide variety of information, including some of those featured below: • Prior-Prior Year for FAFSA Filing 2017–2018 • Advanced Naviance Use: Beyond

Submitting Documents and Tracking Applications • The College Affordability Academy Curriculum • A Statistical Analysis of the ACT • Barriers to Student Success: A Study of Westinghouse Academy High School • Saving for College with the PA 529 • Admission and High School Partnerships: Reaching Across the Desk

We hope that you will join us for this FREE program, designed to help you as an education professional to better understand student success, whether you are working in a high school, a community-based organization, on a college campus, or within a government organization. Further questions can be directed to Kimberly McCurdy, Higher Education Access Partner for PHEAA, at kmccurdy@pheaa.org.