Senior fellows working in the
Admission office gather for their first meeting with supervisor
Lauren Cook (right). Students conduct interviews with prospective
students, including transfer students. Students are, from left,
Nadine Verna, Petagaye Williams, Destiny McDonald, Adzo Amegayibor,
Carina Ndiaye, Courtney Scherpa, and Katie Michael.
Last spring, the College initiated a new recruitment effort to put prospective students directly in touch with MHC seniors. The seniors, known as admission fellows, are part of a dynamic group of MHC women trained to interview prospective students and participate in on-campus recruitment programs, including Preview and Spotlight events, in addition to attending college fairs.
The fellows are hired through a rigorous selection process that includes several interviews with admission directors, as well as a mock prospective student admission director interview. Once hired, fellows participate in the same training program as new admission directors. Since they serve in a quasi-admission director role, fellows must be fully knowledgeable about all admission policies and procedures and must have comprehensive knowledge of the College. This year's seven fellows are Destiny McDonald, Katherine Michael, Carina Ndiaye, Courtney Austin Scherpa, Nadine Verna, Petagaye N. Williams, and Adzo Amegayibor.
Rising seniors interested in becoming admission fellows for 2000-2001 may attend an employment opportunity presentation set for Friday, March 24, from 3 to 5 pm in Hooker Auditorium. "Thus far, the program has met all our expectations," says Diane Anci, director of admission. She notes that comments from recent applicants attest to the effectiveness of the new program. "Candidates are listing interviews with fellows as among the most influential factors in determining their decision to apply to Mount Holyoke," says Anci. "In fact, the vast majority of students who interviewed with admission fellows applied. The fellows had some of the highest conversion rates (the number of students they interviewed who ultimately apply to the College) in MHC admission history."
While fellows participate largely in on-campus recruitment activities, they recently traveled to sites in Boston, New York, and Washington, DC, with MHC faculty members for a series of master classes. Through classes ranging in subjects from censorship to biology, prospective students were offered an off-campus glimpse of the on-campus MHC academic experience. Admission fellows were there to provide the student perspective on MHC and to introduce College faculty.
What does it take to become an admission fellow? The Office of Admission job description calls for individuals with "excellent communication and interpersonal skills, abundant energy and a sense of humor, and a serious commitment to serving prospective students." What they learn as fellows, says Lauren Cook '98, assistant director of admission and supervisor of the new program, gives them a leg up on career skills. "This job is ideal for students interested in admissions or other careers in higher education," says Cook. "The fellows are learning professional interviewing skills, writing summary reports, and getting a behind-the-scenes look at the complexities of the admission process."
"It's really a fabulous opportunity to build some of your own skills and at the same time to meet some amazing women," says Destiny McDonald '00, an art history and politics major. In addition to interviewing students, her work involves completing postinterview evaluation reports for the admission committee. "As a student who will be entering the job market soon, interviewing for the admission office has helped me to better understand the process," she says. "You gain new insights being an interviewer that can help you as an interviewee." McDonald also credits her admission work with enhancing her confidence in public speaking. She points out that applicants appreciate the candor they get from admission fellows. "I've had several interviewees say, 'I really feel like I'm getting honest answers to my questions because you're a student.' "
Anci is delighted with the program's success. "We could not be more pleased with the results of the Admission Fellow Program," she says. "Through substantive contact with fellows, our prospective students are hearing directly from current students about the College and the admission process. The fellows are impressive young women who have a lot of credibility with the students we serve. Of course, our students benefit as well, as they have the opportunity to shape MHC's history while gaining valuable professional skills."
Rising seniors interested in becoming admission fellows for 2000-2001 may attend an employment opportunity presentation set for Friday, March 24, from 3 to 5 pm in Hooker Auditorium.
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