May 1st

[Chris Boehm]

May 1 is ‘the day’ in college admission.   Almost all colleges and universities know it as the candidate reply date, the deadline for students to decide where they are enrolling.  Many students make their decisions well before the deadline; however, for hundreds-of-thousands of students the week leading up to May 1 is one of stress, indecision, and anxiety.  It is no different for those working in college admission.  Offices anxiously await the daily mail to see how many deposits were received and to see if their favorite students have decided to enroll.  The stress is different but it definitely exists.  Higher education is a business and if there aren’t enough students enrolled budgets have to be trimmed and services reduced.  No one wants to reduce the education they offer and the admission office is partially responsible in making sure that doesn’t happen.

 

This year May 1^st was on a Sunday and it was also the date of our underclassman open house.  A pleasant segues into next year’s recruiting cycle.  While hundreds-of-thousands of students stressed over their decisions, millions started their search knowing that in a short time period they to will have to make a similar decision.  The cycle never ends!  Many rising seniors start their search well before May 1^st and the admission office has been traveling to college fairs engaging future Albrightians since February.  But I found it interesting that this year, at Albright, May 1 was the end for many and the beginning for others.  Almost 200 families visited on May 1^st and many others made their decisions to enroll on the same date.  If you attended the open house I hope you enjoyed your visit!

 

I’m happy the report that Albright appears to be on its way to reaching our enrollment goals with another amazing class enrolling in August.  It provides the admission office with a quick, very quick, sigh of relief as we continue to move through the admission cycle to attract the next great class.

 

Congratulations to all those students that made the tough decisions necessary to decide where to enroll.  Congratulations to the families that assisted them in getting to this point.  Remember, the hard work is just beginning!  You are at the start of a great journey, good luck!