Dartmouth Dean of Admissions.

Colleges and Universities A-Z Dartmouth College
1

This isn’t as much a question as it is an observation. So, do you all know that the Dartmouth Dean of Admission Lee Coffin used to be the Dean at Tufts? Since I am considering both of these schools I have been reading a lot of articles and blog posts especially from Tufts because they have more. But I’ve been noticing that the Dean has been reusing articles that he wrote for Tufts now that he is the Dean at Dartmouth. So both the Tufts and Dartmouth blogs have almost identical articles, except details about Tufts are switched to details about Dartmouth.For example, an article about the writing supplement was published on the Tufts blog a while ago. It is called “'Sup?” (http://admissions.tufts.edu/blogs/inside-admissions/post/sup-2/). I’m assuming this was written by Lee Coffin. An almost identical article was published on Dartmouth.edu called “Celebrate Your Voice.”

Here are some differing details:
Tufts: Maybe a “warm fuzzy” reason prompts your application: you had a strong reaction to the place. You loved the sight of the Boston skyline from the roof of Tisch Library or the playful, happy aura of the students you encountered on your campus tour. In short, you could see yourself here, sledding down the President’s Lawn after a snowstorm, and that’s useful information for us to know. “Fit” counts.

Dartmouth: Maybe your rationale is more emotional than logical. You had a visceral reaction to the profound sense of place that defines Dartmouth’s historic campus. You loved the sight of Baker Tower against a brilliant blue sky or you felt a kinship with the outdoorsy, independent students you encountered on your campus tour. In short, you could see yourself in Hanover, skating on Occom Pond or kayaking on the Connecticut River during summer term. A “warm fuzzy” reaction animates your idea of “Dartmouth” and that’s useful information for us to know. Your college will be your home. “Fit” counts.

Strange, isn’t it?

And then I was reading an article on the Tufts blogs about fit (http://admissions.tufts.edu/blogs/jumbo-talk/post/fitness-test/). I noticed that it sounded familiar then I remembered that I got an email from Dartmouth admissions written by the Dean a couple weeks ago about fit. It was basically portions of this article copied and pasted.

I know that this is Lee Coffin’s writing so it’s technically not plagiarism but don’t you all think it’s strange that he is reuising work from Tufts at Dartmouth? It’s just awkward to be reading an article on the Dartmouth website and realizing that you read the exact same one on the Tufts blogs a couple weeks prior. I just think it’s odd.

2

No.

Unless his Tufts’ contract prohibited it, his intellectual property is his own. To me, if I were Tufts though, I would be updating the site with pearls of wisdom from the current dean.

3

Personally, I find it to be off-putting, but I do get that it is his work and he can do whatever he pleases with it.

4

Actually, that’s not accurate. Any work you produce for an employer as part of your employment duties is owned by the employer. As I writer, I am intimately aware of these rules.

5

Lee Coffin’s prose is appropriate for real-estate sales literature. I wouldn’t be surprised if in 10 years he accepted a position as director of marketing/head writer for a Vermont comprehensive senior-living development that is “nestled among the verdant mountains sculpted by God’s enduring grace.” How appropriate, then, that his surname is Coffin.

Let’s hear a little bit about a student’s engaging classroom experiences at those educational institutions. Isn’t that why they enroll, after all?

6

I think it is lazy and poor form.

7

That’s a pretty interesting find @sciencenerd123 . You should submit it to Dartblog.com if you want it to pick up greater attention.

8

Yes, I’m sure Asch would welcome the chance to eviscerate an administrator. B-)

9

I wonder - if an applicant wrote in response to “Why Tufts/Dartmouth?” something similar to what Mr Coffin wrote, would their answer be viewed as being superficial and not specific enough? There are a number of schools that offer “the sight of the Boston skyline” or skating on a pond in a small town.