You are just a file folder.....until

A lively group of parents and less lively students have slumped in their seats and settle in for an evening at the hot PHS Media Center. Despite the crazy October temperatures, college admissions and their prerequisite details loom large and near as the calendar says it is time for applications, resumes and essays to meet early action/decision deadlines.

Amanda Zimmerman, Guidance Counselor, introduces our speaker, Mr. Richard Edgar, of St. Mary’s College. Fresh from the sidelines at a PHS soccer game, Edgar has been cheering one of his children on. This makes it evident that he is very much at home with his visit to Calvert County, just a bumpy joltish ride over the Johnson bridge for him.

Edgar congratulates all the kids who have chosen to come to this year’s “College Night”, sponsored by the PHS PTSA. He quickly connects with the students and gives many a chance to fidget and put something out there about what they may major in. Just about every facet of this process – choosing schools – majors – finding the right combination and then gaining admission to those schools – is deftly and comically touched on. The “Parent Dance”. How dreams of what we want to be change as we age. Then, finally, the proclamation that deciding the major first is not something you want to “stress about.” Between 60-70 percent of students change their major at least once. (My son took that one to mean that he doesn’t need to pick a major. I encourage you to view that differently!)

Instead, spend time as a serious consumer would when shopping for a new home. While school shopping, bring along the self-knowledge of how YOU like to learn and what your experiences have been up to now. Sure, you may have a variety of settings and kinds of options to review, but in the end, Edgar says plainly, go with the school that feels like “home” to you. With special tips on what to do, when to visit (WEDNESDAY, of course!) and what to ask, we were treated to an intriguing method of fact finding while visiting college campuses. If you have a chance to speak with Mr. Edgar when you go to St. Mary’s for a visit, be sure to ask him to do his super-energetic, campus tour leader impression!

My little summary does no justice to the fantastic descriptions and humorous side notes that Mr. Edgar offered. If you missed it, you need to come to hear it in person next year. But the takeaways for you who were playing at band practice, working, studying or playing on your X-Box are:

• As an applicant, you are just a file. A lovely, sturdy redwelled gusseted container of your GPA, test scores, transcripts and application. Your challenge is to become more unique, more personal, more detailed, and rise above the piles of files and paper in order to “be memorable” to admissions staff. Beginning with your student resume, detail 2 or 3 true passions. These details begin to raise your genuine self up and out of that redwell file. Edgar demonstrated by waving his hand up and out of the file! This image that really got the point across!

• Take control of recommendation letters so that the details there are also more authentic. Edgar offered ways (or ways NOT!) to approach an instructor and guidance on how to be sure that you really have done your part to ensure a more genuine and personalized recommendation.

• By far, the chance to place the most meaningful piece of the “you” puzzle is found in the essay. Many essays are prompts to be followed, but even so spend time planning ahead with different ideas and outlines. Here is where you have an opportunity to really flex your descriptive and creative personality. Try on some themes that give you unique ways to draw the readers (admissions) into your world. Edgar shared some amazing examples of resumes he and his colleagues will never forget. (oh no – I’m not even going to attempt to re-create those for you!) Keep in mind that the school contemplating all things you is weighing what unique and memorable characteristics you potentially bring to its student community.

Thank you Ms. Zimmerman, PHS PTSA and a huge thanks to Mr. Rich Edgar! I look forward to my visit to St. Mary’s College and putting some of your advice to work.