Welcome New College Rep, ColbyAdmissions

Roger_Dooley · 06-14-2006, 08:57 PM

Please join me in welcoming our latest College Rep at CC - ColbyAdmissions. We're happy to have a rep from a great school like Colby posting here! (Remember, our College Reps all have day jobs, so please be reasonable in your expectations. Please don't post threads like "ColbyAdmissions, need answer ASAP!"

Just post a general question in the forum, and if CA has something to contribute, I'm sure he will do so.

rskibum · 06-14-2006, 09:41 PM

Welcome, Colby!
Your presence will be valuable to all those with questions about Colby, which is one of the best colleges in the NE. It will certainly help Colby in attacting highly qualified applicants.

We could have used your input last year before my D applied ED to another NESCAC college, and was accepted.

She had interest in Colby, a friend who currently attends and speaks very highly of your college and had contacted a coach but she never received a serious reply.

I played against Colby years ago and your teams were always very strong in every sport.
Good luck.

okwjoe · 06-14-2006, 10:47 PM

Hello.. We are tryingt to decide to apply to schools without disclosing my son's disability. My son who is high acheiving student and also happens to be a quadriplegic. I have spoken to two admission officers ( one at a New York IVY league school and one at a Boston based Universiity) about how would a admissions decision be made if it came down between an able -bodied student and my son if they had the same exact SAT's, GPA' took similiar course loads etc. They both gave me what it seems to be the company line.. " Our schools adhere to the federal 504 law of 1990 and the 1973 fedral law against discrimination the disabled.". no ever tells me if my son has more or less of a chance because he is disabled. No one is ever frank with us. Can you be? and give us some advice.

thank you.

DRJ4 · 06-14-2006, 11:52 PM

Okwjoe,

Last year I helped a student with a disability apply to college and perhaps that experience could help you. Overall, I strongly encourage you to tell the colleges about your son's disability for several reasons:

1. It is my understanding that colleges can't legally discriminate against the disabled. If you have concerns about this, talk to someone you trust who can verify whether this is true.

2. I think disabled people are treated better on college campuses than almost anywhere in American society. Most colleges don't view disabled students as "dis-abled" liabilities but as "differently-abled" students who contribute to campus diversity.

3. Would you really want your son to go to a college that didn't know he was disabled and that might not be receptive to having him attend? I can't imagine wanting to put your son in a position where he was fighting for his rights from the very first day.

4. Discuss your son's disability with the colleges so you can learn about the services they offer to disabled students. Some colleges are more wheelchair accessible than others. Some have more disabled students than others and, while your son would probably want to meet all kinds of people at college, he might also like to meet students who deal with the same challenges he faces.

5. Some colleges offer special benefits to disabled students that might influence which college your son chooses but he won't know about these benefits if he doesn't reveal his disability. For instance, some colleges permit disabled students to register first for classes so they are assured of getting their choice for class time and location.

6. I know you want to protect and help your son in every way possible but he needs to actively participate in planning for his college experience. Help him learn how to discuss his needs with the colleges and how to evaluate their responses. I don't think it helps him in the long run to hide his disability during the application process, and it may even send him the message that his disability is something to hide.

In addition, I think your son's disability would make a powerful topic for an application essay. He could write about how he feels, how it has affected his life and goals, and what good and bad things have happened as a result.

Best wishes and great success to your son, and kudos to your family for helping him accomplish his goals.

ColbyAdmissions · 06-15-2006, 01:29 PM

I have to agree with my counterparts in NY and Boston--the "company line" is accurate and we also adhere to the federal and state laws of non-discrimination as outlined. I must admit, though, that I shy away from the term "chances" for any potential applicant, no matter what the context; as you might imagine, we are asked almost daily about a student's "chances" on any number of levels (academic qualifications, athletic prowess, financial hardship, physical/learning difference, standardized testing, etc.)--indeed, one of the other Colby threads is labelled "Chances 2011". Often there is no "frank" answer, for many of these questions, much as the public (or the colleges) would like for there to be.

More important, as DRJ4 suggests, is the campus environment in which your son would be immersed--would College X be a place where he would feel comfortable, however he would define it? Resources, programs, residential issues, and other concerns beyond the admissions realm would seem more relevant here (the topography of campus, for example, will be an issue at some schools). Even before the application phase of this process, your son will be able to add or delete schools from his list based on what he learns about enrolled-student expectations and facilities, and in his communications with campus officials.

In the end, I'm a proponent of full & honest disclosure, from all parties, no matter the topic or hardship or concern. The admissions process is already stressful and worrisome for so many--on both sides!--and I believe that most of my colleagues would prefer to have all relevant information in front of them, if possible; it's my belief that most applicants & families would too. And DRJ4's right: I'd be very interested in your son's essay-- how he's succeeded despite (or perhaps as a result of) his situation, that would be inspiring to read.

DRJ4 · 06-15-2006, 02:51 PM

Colby Rep,

I join Mr. Dooley in welcoming you to CC. Other colleges should follow your lead by participating in the blogosphere. You are to be commended for helping people with your insights while also recognizing an opportunity to expand interest in Colby.

slam2foul · 06-15-2006, 04:20 PM

Colby Rep.--
Firstly, thank you for taking time out of your schedule to answer our questions. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say we greatly appreciate it.

I'm a rising senior and interested in liberal arts college, particularly those in the NE. I've visited Colby among others.

I'm very interested in the Jewish Studies program your college offers. From your website I've gathered that it is offered as a minor. Can you speak to the quality and breadth of the program, and how difficult it would be to turn the program into a major?

Thanks in advance

okwjoe · 06-15-2006, 09:10 PM

Thank you for responding to my inquiry Colby Adm. We are just very frustrated how my son's injury will affect his future. This college admissions process is just another hurdle my son has to navigate through. Finally , in one arena where my son can compete with his peers equally, he may have to settle on somthing less than he may deserve.. just because a institution only provides what the law says only has to abide by. My son realizes this, and always ask "why can't I be evaluated on the same merits as others and why I will have to settle on a college that may not be the best fit for my abilities, but to accept a college that I can adapt to? I wish I could anwer him with a answer. I am beginning to realize that society has to adapt not my son.

DRJ4 · 06-15-2006, 11:48 PM

Okwjoe,

Our youngest son is profoundly disabled and while he isn't college-age yet, I think I know how you feel. Of course, I can't speak for you or really understand the frustration you and your son feel but I know that we would do anything to help our disabled child have the same opportunities as his healthy sibling.

Having said that, the fact is the world will not be the same for them. Our disabled children have to work harder to get things "normal" children take for granted. On the other hand, while few people have to deal with the burdens our sons face, that doesn't mean everyone else's life is easy. Unlike your son, many students don't have the grades and intelligence to gain admission to the best colleges and, as a result, they won't be admitted no matter how unfair it may seem or how much they and their parents may want it to happen.

I think the best fit for your son is a college that provides an academic challenge as well as meets his mobility needs. Perhaps it will be the college he dreams of or maybe it won't. I promise you it won't be perfect. No college meets the high expectations that teenagers dream about or the life-altering experience that parents hope for. I strongly encourage you to help your son focus on the positive aspects of his life - that he has a good mind and a willing heart, and that he is smart enough to be considered for admission at good colleges - rather than the negatives. Society does not have to adapt to your son but it will help him, and that's something to be thankful for.

ColbyAdmissions · 06-16-2006, 09:35 AM

for "slam2foul":

My sense of the Jewish Studies minor--created several years ago--is that there is no plan for a major in the near future. Students often pair the JS minor with majors in Government, English, History, or other humanities/social sciences. I suppose it's possible to declare an "Independent Major", and focus on Jewish Studies or a related issue, but you would need to work through (and gain permission from) that department, if it's possible. Along with speakers and programs/events offered through Jewish Studies, I imagine that you could work with the Goldfarb Center for Public Policies & Civic Engagement--if you've visited campus in the last year or so, you've noticed the massive building under construction outside our admissions office, and that's where the Goldfarb Center (among other offices) will be based/housed. http://www.colby.edu/academics_cs/goldfarb/

The current chair of Jewish Studies is Elisa Narin van Court, who is also an English professor; Howard Lupovitch, also a professor of History, is a past chair of the department, and both would be excellent resources for you and would answer your questions much better than I. The link to Jewish Studies at Colby (which you may already have found) with their and other info is: http://www.colby.edu/academics_cs/ac...dies/index.cfm.

Thank you for your interest in Colby!

betterday55 · 06-17-2006, 12:46 AM

Colby Rep,
First of all, thankyou so much for taking off your time to answer some of our questions. As a student from rural Oklahoma, I cannot afford the plane ticket to visit Colby, so i was wondering if there is a way I could contact Colby's regional admission officer to find out more about this school.

luckycharm · 06-17-2006, 03:36 AM

Dear Colby Rep,

Is Colby currently still accepting students from the wait list? When can waitlisted students expect to hear from Colby? thanks...

woebegone · 06-17-2006, 04:18 AM

i've got the same question here...

ColbyAdmissions · 06-18-2006, 07:07 PM

for "Betterday55":

In fact, I am the Colby person who is "responsible" for Oklahoma--as you know, each of us in the admissions office are assigned responsibility for certain regions of the country. In my case, I'm supposed to pay particular attention to roughly 15 states, mostly in the southeast & southwest, plus some counties in Massachusetts *and* I help to focus our efforts here in Maine. Even though I haven't been to some of these places (we're given between 4-6 weeks each year to travel to these, and it's tough to get to all of them), I'm especially sheepish to admit that I've never been to Oklahoma--where are you from in the state? I know a *very* supportive Colby alumna, class of 1987, who frequently asks if there is anyone with whom she can be in touch, to chat about Colby; she lives in Oklahoma City--that might be some distance from you, though.

I also point you to our website, where you can email current students--although none will be Sooners, they would serve as important resources for you as you investigate Colby further: http://www.colby.edu/admissions_cs/ask/ask-student.cfm. If you request more info from us online too (also via colby.edu/admissions), then you'll start receiving pamphlets, a viewbook, and perhaps some email updates from us as we go through the summer and fall.

Thanks for your interest in Colby!

ColbyAdmissions · 06-18-2006, 07:30 PM

for "luckycharm" and "woebegone":

Last week the decision was made to release the WaitList for the class of 2010. I also posted a short message on the other thread, "Accepted from wait list?"; letters to those who stayed with us were being mailed just before the weekend. It might take a few days to hit the streets, or perhaps longer for international destinations (I noticed "Singapore" for your location, woebegone). Thanks to you both, and to all others who have been waiting for us to complete this process. Best of luck as you continue to pursue your studies.