Early Decision Updates (and what I'm doing instead)

We had a deadline three weeks ago -- Early Decision Round 1, for the Harvey Mudd College Class of 2016.  This means we need to mail our response letters by, oh, next week.  (December 15 is our mailing deadline, not a mail-in-your-hands deadline, thank heaven.  We need the time.)

This also means that we are currently in the midst of reading files, and doing so online for the very first time.  There have certainly been small glitches, and lots of e-mails to the software support team, but it's not too bad.  Okay, so I'm not stunningly enthusiastic yet -- but that's because I've had way less practice than my colleagues.  While they've been reading their Early Decision applications, I've been running a program called DecemberFest, with 38 high school counselors from across the country. 

DecemberFest is a total departure from my usual admission counseling existence.  I plan fancy dinners.  I schlep boxes.  I collect receipts and arrange reimbursements.  I restock refrigerators.  I order beveled acrylic paperweights.

It also gives me the perfect excuse to crack out my label maker (yes, the dean has one too) . . .

. . . and wear gray sweaters, which are apparently de rigeur for the female admission staff this season. 

DecemberFest has been fun, and it's not over yet -- but I'm also eager to get my paws (or my mouse) on more Early Decision applications.  That'll happen this weekend -- in between laundry, baking, watching Louis N. Smith "graduate" from his Agility 1 class, reconciling receipts, and co-hosting a baby shower.  Hmm.  Perhaps I need more caffeine.