This week in the Northeast the temperatures plunged. I started wearing my winter coat inside our house while I worked. I also began adding a huge parka on top of the winter coat to walk the dog. There is a perpetual chill in my bones this time of year. But I got a jolt of warmth and goodness this week from an unexpected source.
I follow a number of colleges on Instagram. It is a way for me to see what's happening on college campuses, when colleges are releasing admissions decisions, and it reminds me why I love my job. Bucknell University is one of the schools I follow. It posted a video of an admissions staff member surprising an applicant at his home to let him know that he was admitted. It was the sweetest, most wholesome interaction I've seen in college admissions in a long time.
The young man had clearly made an impression on that admissions officer. I love that the admissions officer made a housecall to tell him the good news. It took him a moment to realize he was admitted. Once he did, he hugged the admissions officer in a way that showed such humility, vulnerability, and gratitude. I couldn't stop watching the video. I couldn't stop crying.
Everyone talks about how AI is going to change the world, including college admissions. But I hope it doesn't change the wholesome kids who apply without AI's help and the wholesome admissions officers who insist on keeping this process human. Both demand more time and care. AI is trying to save you some time, and maybe some care too.
At every turn, we are looking for shortcuts. Yet this can eliminate the human touch—literally and figuratively. Be careful what you wish for.
Maybe I'm too old fashioned. I still love the process of reading essays from students. I still love writing notes to my students to tell them how proud I am of them. I still love a good hug. I hope others do too.
READ MORE: 10 Wins I’m Grateful for in College Admissions
I remember when I worked in the Undergraduate Admissions Office at the University of Pennsylvania and I used to write a handwritten note to every single admitted student from my region, even in Early Decision. A colleague of mine at the time innocently asked me why I did that since the Early Decision admitted students were presumably going to enroll, with or without my handwritten note. I replied, "Because it's the right thing to do."
I know he thought it was too idealistic. But I stood by my approach because of the gravity of our jobs and the lives we were impacting. I am devoting this week's blog post to that kind Bucknell admissions officer who realized the gravity of her job and the lives she was impacting in the purest way. Idealism and the human touch should never be lost in this process.
To all of the adults reading this blog post, make a housecall. Write a note. Give a hug. Because it's the right thing to do.
