<p>" ... Guttentag added that admissions officers will work with Edelman--the newly hired University public relations firm--to ensure the University is discussed in the same terms among all admissions officials and among all members of the University.</p>
<p>"Consistency is something we've always wanted to have internally," Guttentag said. "But having that consistency within the entire University--that's where I think [Edelman] will have an impact."</p>
<p>The firm will also help the admissions office with technical issues, such as updating and maintaining the admissions website.</p>
<p>Admissions officers conducted research during the summer to study reasons why students did and did not accept admission to Duke this year. Guttentag said the office is just getting results, which suggest some students declined Duke's offer of acceptance because of the lacrosse incident.</p>
<p>"There was some effect," he said. "It was a small percentage, but it was measurable."</p>
<p>This fall's prospective-student viewbook has a slightly smaller section about athletics, which is moved closer to the back of the publication. The de-emphasis of the department was unrelated to recent events, however, Guttentag said.</p>
<p>"That was a matter of space," he said. "Space that we've devoted to the arts has at least doubled--we're trying to see where we're trying to expand."</p>
<p>"“Many promising candidates don’t apply based on stereotypes,” says Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid William R. Fitzsimmons ’67. Byerly’s outreach program seeks to dispel these darker aspects of the Harvard myth: that the University is a leisure-class training ground where only the wealthiest are welcome. The new recruiting techniques, such as targeting low-income applicants by zip code and paying personal visits to students in economically depressed regions, aim to make Harvard’s resources appear more accessible to the working class. </p>
<p>Still, an institution older than its own country cannot escape its past, no matter how hard it tries. Harvard wouldn’t be Harvard without fireplaces in dorm rooms, oak-paneled libraries, formal dances, and a whiff of social superiority. Fitzsimmons readily acknowledges that gaining acceptance to Harvard, “to put it starkly, puts you in a position of power.” The University’s elitism is part of its allure, and its image-makers have an interest in maintaining that myth. The face of Harvard wears several masks, depending on which audience is watching." </p>
<p>Image Makers </p>
<hr>
<p>Another good example of college "Image Makers" at work.</p>
<p>Princeton has also retained a consulting firm to evaluate its admissions process and help with marketing. The Admissions Director looked to the consulting firm for advice in such matters as to whether it should drop binding ED in favor of SCEA as Harvard, Yale and Stanford have done.</p>
<p>All schools recruit, and all schools look to enhgance the value of their brand.</p>
<p>Duke presents an interesting case this year, however, due to the public relations hit it suffered.</p>
<p>Ah, well, if we lost potential students/children of parents who are so easily swayed as to believe such bastions of truth as Rolling Stone or such clear ethical leaders as Michael Nifong...I for one am willing to draw from the wait list and take a hit on the yield. Two weeks in and I'm quite happy with my little 300-person slice thus far.</p>
<p>"Duke presents an interesting case this year, however, due to the public relations hit it suffered."</p>
<p>Hmmm....I work very near Boston, and it seems to me that a campus over in Cambridge suffered a little PR disaster itself last year. Thus, the need to get the feminists PR groups heavily involved! Any long lasting effect in the number of overall applicants? Probably not. My prediction is that the same will hold true for Duke. In a year or two, the general public will not remember the so called Lax scandal. Thank goodness.</p>
<p>"Duke presents an interesting case this year, however, due to the public relations hit it suffered."</p>
<p>Why is it a public relations hit for Duke? It turns out that the rape allegations were fabricated, and the primary injustice here is a VERY SERIOUS false claim by the accuser, and of course the ensuing prosecution based on no evidence whatsoever.</p>
<p>If any school should be taking a public relations hit, it's UNC, the alma mater of DA Mike Nifong. How long can one hold a grudge?</p>
<p>What engineering field, DukeEgr93? I'm a prospective student in CEE; did you feel that they were actively looking for more applicants in that field?</p>
<p>So, here's where I have to put out the disclaimer that I do not work directly with admissions. That having been said, it is clear that our undergraduate population is a bit skewed towards one of our four degree programs, and a highly qualified student expressing informed, genuine interest in one of the others would stand out.</p>
<p>This message brought to you by someone who has / has had faculty appointments in all but said "skewed toward" department. Standard disclaimer applies. All rights reserved. "Do Not Taunt Happy Fun Ball (c) SNL"</p>
