Hi guys,
A college representative from my dream school is visiting my school on friday. I am pretty sure that many students will be there to meet her as my school is overly competitive; I am not even kidding, it’s crazy how competitive it is. Even if a person has NEVER been to the school or has never even visited their website will still come to meet the representative because it’s a top school. I, on the other hand, have visited the school many times and have expressed a lot of interest and also attempted to go to their summer program ( was not able to attend because of a personal family issue and I made sure the school knows why I was not able to provide a recommendation) .
Anyway, I wanted to ask you guys if it’s okay if I gave the representative a business card? I just want to mention the link of my blog on the business card and my resume. I am a writer and I own a popular blog, I also wrote for huffpost teen a couple of times and I am the shipment director of a successful online business company based in my state. Do you guys think that that’s a good idea? I will just be giving the business card to one representative ( because it really is my dream school ) . I am a lot more than what they see in my application and I just want them to know that.
Also, if you guys have any suggestions as to what questions to ask the college representative, please post them in. I appreciate all the help.
You had me until you said you told them why you would not be able to provide a recommendation. What do you mean by that?
First impression is that a business card is not a normal thing for a HS senior to hand out. You CAN overdue the love, believe it or not. And you could come across as strange if you gave them a business card.
Also… your focus on the idea that the others at the presentation are come-latelies, and that your love for the school is more pure and worthy because you started earlier will not be perceived as healthy by the rep. They want to meet all interested students, and reach as many students as possible with their message. Some students start looking late, or discover a school late in the process. They are as entitled to admission as you are.
By all means attend. Typically they take some kind of attendance, so they will know you were there. If you can’t attend, stop by before or after to say a BRIEF hello to the rep, and just reiterate that you have visited and are really interested in the school. I wouldn’t mention the summer experience that didn’t happen,
Handing them a business card could be viewed as extremely arrogant and pretentious. Don’t do it. If you have visited enough times and have gone on tours, she won’t say anything you don’t already know.
Let me guess that your dream school might be an Ivy? If so, then relax. Go listen and you might get something from the Q&A. But your presence there won’t be noticed by the rep, nor your card nor your resume. They won’t take attendance or note who came. He or she is on a wide travel schedule and is simply a messenger – indeed may not even be assigned to read folders from your area.
The admissions reps whose job it is to note interesting and likely applicants are those who represent schools that rarely get this kind of reception at a school presentation. They’re likely solid LACs or smaller publics who NEED to get their own name out there in front of students and to get them to apply.
I’ve done tons of presentations as an alumnus volunteer and accompanied my alma mater’s rep while he or she has done them. We don’t take names. Submitted business cards or resumes would have been very odd.
Don’t give a business card – it will be likely perceived as arrogant. There will probably be a sign-in sheet so the school knows you attended. If the link to your blog is important, include it in your essay…but in reality college admission officers have tons and tons to read in the normal course of applications and it is unlikely that they will spend any time, or at least any significant time at your blog. You need to use the application as your opportunity to make your case for admissions.
And in general don’t get yourself caught up with one very competitive dream school. There are tons of amazing colleges and universities out there so find a good mix of reach, target, and safety schools you can be happy at.
