Watch out, it's an admissions counselor! - Page 6

idad · 07-31-2006, 06:02 PM

Libby, your participation on this board is a great thing. I have but one recommendation, though it may cause you a little more work. Your answers are most helpful, however, they are beginning to be spread out over several threads. While this is helpful for the particular student asking the question, later arriving students who may have the same question, may be asking the same thing again, and again. Perhaps a response that their question is answered on the thread you started might do the trick, and then answer all inquiries there. Just a thought. Also, down the road a little, an FAQ sequence may consolidate some of this as well. Again thanks for doing this, it is definitely above and beyond the call of duty.

Katharos · 07-31-2006, 07:01 PM

Libby,
I will be a first year at the U. of C. in the fall, and I was wondering how I can get my foot in the door concerning jobs at the admissions office. I live in Hyde Park, so would it be beneficial for me to stop by the admissions office sometime and express my interest in this? Is it possible for me to secure a work-study job there before school starts? I want to get a head start on this before the flood of new students arrives in September. (I have e-mailed a few professors about work-study lab jobs, and they have told me that things are still up in the air regarding student jobs; I am considering lab jobs as well.) Thanks for any help you can give me.

*Libby Pearson* · 07-31-2006, 09:18 PM

idad, you're right, if I find that I'm answering things over and over, I'll just point them to this thread.

For now, though, I'm fine with going to individual threads and seeing what questions people have.

Do these threads just go on forever and ever? I can see this one doing that.

*Libby Pearson* · 07-31-2006, 09:19 PM

Katharos -- that's great to hear! Unfortunately we can't set you to work doing much yet, since you are a new student. We only hire tour guides in the winter; we're giving them a quarter to get to know the school. Just keep your eyes and ears open during O-week. Visit the coffee shops and check out the bulletin boards. I'm sure you'll find something.

Katharos · 07-31-2006, 09:28 PM

Libby,
Thank you so very much for the information. I check the boards on a regular basis as is, and I will continue to do so, keeping an eye out for jobs through the admissions department. Again, thank you for your response.

brand_182 · 07-31-2006, 09:37 PM

Libby,

I've got a question that's been bugging me for awhile. For some schools that I'm applying to (all backups to Chicago naturally

) there are required courses that are not applicable to my Associate of Arts plan at my community college. In order to make everyone happy, I'll be graduating with about 67 credits. Is this going to be a problem? I know some schools say they discourage people with over 60 credits from applying, but there's not really anything I could do about it. If I could get some kind of guarantee from Chicago in writing that I'm in (lmao) then I guess I could toss those 2nd rate schools aside. Sigh....but sadly that is not possible. Should I include a little paragraph in the extra section explaining why I have taken the extra credits?

neverborn · 07-31-2006, 10:27 PM

Libby/Katharos - I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I firmly believe admitted transfers should get jobs in the admissions office. We know people there on a first name basis already!

Katharos · 07-31-2006, 10:32 PM

Neverborn,
Hey! Ted O'Neill spoke with my mom after I had been admitted, and he remembered quite a bit about my application, such as a professor from whom I took a course and my interest in Greek. That defintely should get me an "in," right? Also, I am a Hyde Park native, so I know more about the school and where buildings are than most incoming students do. I have been known for giving good directions to passersby (how many times have I done that?). My favorite, when I was standing across the street from the Reg: "Where's the library?"

Ok, that was my plug for me.

idad · 07-31-2006, 11:24 PM

Libby, I wasn't clear (not altogether unusual for me), I did not mean that you should stop answering questions on the other thread only that perhaps you answer them on this thread so that there is an easy way to access all the questions and your answers (and make a note to the questioner that the answer is here.) This thread could go on in perpetuity, there are others on CC that have seem to at least.

This, combined with the uncommon application blog, provide wonderful forums for Chicago prospects. I believe the unexpected increase in yield was largely a function of the blog and other out reach efforts being made by Chicago's talented admissions staff.

*Libby Pearson* · 08-01-2006, 08:50 AM

neverborn - we're actually looking for someone to answer transfer emails and post to the transfer blog. Send me an email - eap@uchicago.edu

*Libby Pearson* · 08-01-2006, 08:53 AM

brand_182 - you're talking about transfer admissions, right?

When we see transfers with lots of credits, we get worried that they don't realize they are required to stay here for two years, and that when they realize they have to, won't want to enroll. So if you could say somewhere in your application that you are really excited about staying here, completing the Core curriculum, and you don't care how long your BA takes, then we'll be happier. Also, realize that financial aid is guaranteed for at least two years, and as long as we assess that you need to stay here.

brand_182 · 08-01-2006, 12:47 PM

libby -

yes ma'am transfer admissions. So I will go ahead and put that on the extra page in my app. I just am always worried I'm going to give yall too much info and yall will get bored. I was actually really wanting to put "I don't care if I practically have to start over again, I want to go to Chicago!" b/c I figured that may help yall realize how serious I am. I also won't be applying for financial aid. I did have a question a/b that too...since I'm not applying for aid, is it still recommended that I fill out the FAFSA so yall are aware of my financial position and just check that I don't need any financial aid, or should I just disregard that part of the process? Is the FAFSA form something that is expected of all students regardless of whether they ask for aid? Thanks for the quick answers!

Brandon

yougotjohn · 08-01-2006, 05:40 PM

Yeah, I've always wondered about that. How exactly do you become an admissions counselor? It seems like a really interesting job. Haha.

Tigers Rule · 08-02-2006, 07:23 AM

Libby,
how safe is the neighborhood around the campus? Would a walk or run through the surroundings be risky?

*Libby Pearson* · 08-02-2006, 07:27 AM

brand_182 - you don't have to fill out any financial aid forms if you're not applying for financiai aid.

Tigers Rule - are you a runner, too? I run in the neighborhood three or four days a week, and I've been thinking of making a guide! There are so many great trails and routes here, from the lakeshore to Washington and Jackson parks, to the mansion district just north of us. And it's not dangerous, it's fun! Bring your iPod, and don't even bother with a buddy during daylight hours.