Several public service announcements

1. Today is the Early Decision I Deadline.  So far we have 773 applications! 

(Just kidding, Thyra.  We don't really have 773 ED applications.  Made you panic, huh?)

2.  The last day to interview on campus is Friday, December 16.  Interviews are not required, but are strongly recommended for local students.  We may also have alumni interviews available in your (non-Southern-California) location.

3. Our Fall FAST video is finished!  Crazy to think we'll be reading applications from some (we hope all!) of these students within just a few weeks.

4. For those planning upcoming visits to HMC, here are some things to know:
    a. The last day for a Saturday tour is December 3.
    b. There are no tours during Finals Week (December 12-16).
    c. Our office is completely closed December 23-December 30. 

5. The penultimate lecturer in the Nelson Speaker Series will be on campus this Friday!  The lecture is open to the public, but if you can't make it to HMC, it'll also stream online.  The topic is the chemistry of DNA, which sounds pretty cool. 

Now back to our regularly scheduled program.

In which Mudd makes a technological leap and I try to stay behind

I'm aware that this blog is a little lacking in the Super Cool Graphics department.  My current blog header is not going to win me any design awards, but I've kept it because a) I didn't have a header for nearly a year, so anything was an improvement and b) this particular image is so representative of the admission career.  Paper files, each one a student, stacked in my home, my car, my office.  I've read paper files in more places than a Dr. Seuss book -- on a plane, on a train, in a hotel lobby, by the light of a wood stove, in the backseat of a minivan, and in every coffee-serving establishment in the greater Claremont area.  Reading season means eating dinner in the last three inches of table space not occupied by paper files.  It means "cleaning" for guests by straightening the stacks of files and vacuuming around them rather than under them.  It means gnarly paper cuts and hand cramps from too many hours with a Pilot G-2. 

Not this year.  In a bold, brave move, Mudd is switching to online reading.  Everyone is excited . . . except me, the Luddite who wants to keep the heavy file bins, the stinging paper cuts, and the ability to draw smiley faces in the margins.  That's just how I roll. 

Jamilla, who already has experience reading online, assures us that it isn't scary and really does enable better decision making.  Since she plans to wear a Snuggie during admission committee, I'm inclined to believe her -- clearly this is a woman with good priorities. 

So apparently I'm moving into the twenty-first century, whether I want to or not.  (What's next, Facebook and Smartphones?!)  And that means, in the absence of paper files, that this ol' blog header needs a revamp.



What else is iconic in college admission?  A conference room table?  Baked Goods?  The Big Envelope?  The Grim Reaper?  Any ideas for my new blog image?

Interviews at HMC: Roxie reflects

We asked our senior interviewers what qualities are most important in a potential Mudder.  Here's Roxie's checklist of must-haves:

• Honesty.  Mudd students must be honest because of the importance of the Honor Code to our commuinty.  The Honor Code gives students a lot of privileges, and if several people stop following it and start cheating on tests or stealing skateboards, it will quickly breed a feeling of mistrust within our community.
• Integrity.  Students should want to hold themselves to the Honor Code, not just because it is college mandated, but because it is right.
• Knowing how to cope when something goes wrong.  At some point in a student's academic career, it will.
• Humility.  This is especially important in reducing grade competition and getting students to ask for help.
• Being nonjudgmental.  Whether students are level 45 warlocks in World of Warcraft or varsity basketball players, they should not be judged for their hobbies.  This is part of an accepting community.
• Being involved and busy in high school.  This breeds good time management skills at Mudd.
• A sense of humor!

Home stretch & some unrelated photos

Travel season is almost done -- one more quick jaunt to Portland and I can bask in the comforts of my own bed, my own tea and full-size toiletries.  I like to think that after seven seasons I'm a proficient traveler, but little incidents like an unanticipated tour of Orange County or forgetting my pants in New Jersey remind me that I'm not quite Rick Steves material.   This year I forgot my coat and scarf at two different schools on the same day.  Impressive, no? 

In terms of what travel season is supposed to yield -- face-to-face interactions with students and counselors -- my trips have been pretty successful overall.  And most importantly, I've been meeting with the right students, students who are thoughtful and intentional about the college process, and share my delight in the lizard treadmill.  Because really, why wouldn't you want to go to college at a place with a lizard treadmill? 

Professor Adolph and the lizard treadmill in all its glory

And now for those unrelated photos I mentioned in the title.  I found a few that I never posted from National Coming Out Day, and they were so impressive I have to share.  Advertisements on artistic free expression walls are sometimes skimpy on the artistry, but these illustrations were gorgeous.

In case you missed it, National Coming Out Day was October 11.

And because this is Mudd, there had to be a rhino moving at the speed of light.  (Of course there are rhinos in Special Relativity.  Duh.)

If you read Hyperbole and a Half, then you will appreciate the cameo appearance of the Alot.  Love.

Finally, if you don't follow HMC's YouTube Channel, you are missing out on one of my favorite ways to squander ten minutes.  Flaming unicycles, summer research snippets, a debut of the Harvey WallStars (can you spot the featured admission counselor?), the arrival of the Class of 2015 (that one got me teary) and a teaser for the upcoming E11 class final.  Oh goodness.  I can't wait.

Interviews at HMC: Hayden Reflects

When I introduced our senior interviewers last month, I promised to share some of their insights into the HMC community & the interviewing process.  Here's what Hayden Hatch '12 wrote about his on-campus interview four years ago.

Believe it or not, I've wanted to be a senior interviewer since I was a prospective student!  I have this vivid and distinct memory of entering the Harvey Mudd Admissions Office for my interview during my senior year in high school.  I was frightened, insecure, and nervous, and I felt like the whole world was literally sitting on my shoulders.  It felt like every student, administrator, and wart (!) was staring at me as I traversed campus, judging my worthiness and deciding if I belonged.

As I entered the Admissions office, I noticed that I was in similar company; two other prospective students were sitting there -- hands intertwined and struggling to display an air of confidence.  As I sat in the waiting room, I tried to imagine what my interview would be like.  My mind was flooded with images of myself burping and drooling as I explained why I liked Harvey Mudd.  My heart began to race, and I was certain that I would be drilled with questions about Special Relativity and Quantum Mechanics.

Then my interviewer, Rachel, walked in. She had a humongous smile on her face and asked me how my day was going.  She was very funny and outgoing and the interview was pretty casual.  The anxiety, nervousness, and stress that were devouring me in the waiting room suddenly melted away.

This experience was a very vivid and comforting one that I really would want to pass on.  I really want to hear these students' stories, relate to them, and tell them how great Mudd is.  I want to express how truly exciting it is to be around other intellectuals who share the same interest as you.

Note from Colleen: Hayden is just as funny and enthusiastic as Rachel Howden '08.  And he probably won't ask you about Special Relativity and Quantum Mechanics. 

We had a program. It was cool.

It also happened a month ago.  Eeesh.  Where does the time go?  Fall FAST brought forty extremely talented high school seniors to our campus for a packed program including lab tours, class visits, an engineering workshop, an overnight stay, lots of free food, and an admission workshop. 

As has been the case the last couple of years, admission to the FAST program was even more competitive than admission to the college -- in fact, one of the students we turned down for FAST two years ago ended up winning the President's Scholarship, the most prestigious merit award we offer.  If it happened to Carling, it can happen to you, so be not disheartened if you weren't among those selected for the program.  Picking just forty of the nation's top math and science prospects is daunting.

And if you were selected, well, it was great to meet you!  Here are some photos of the engineering workshop.  I wasn't there (photo credits go to Falone & Raissa) so I can't tell you much about the activity in question. 

I am responsible for this last photo.  As you can see I didn't really think much about the backdrop.  But now, in case you were worried, you can sleep calmly at night knowing we do have a dry cleaner's in downtown Claremont.

Travel season and disgruntled housepets

As far as Louie is concerned, the suitcase is the first hint that something is very wrong.  Duffel bags are for road trips, and road trips generally include the dog, so as soon as the squeaky toys start migrating into one of the side pouches, he can relax. 

But suitcases, the autumn clothes strewn across the bed in ninety-five degree weather, the sudden lack of foodstuffs in the refrigerator -- these are all portents that travel season is about to begin.  And dogs -- even dogs like Louie, who are inured to the vagaries of their wandering owners, and are on a lap-sitting basis with the pet resort personnel -- are not fond of travel season.  They do not like being left behind, even if the "kennel" is a high-class doggy hotel, with a swimming pool, flat-screen TVs, and twin beds, suitable for a TLC reality show featuring pampered pets. 

And the person, to be honest, is feeling a little burnt out on travel season herself.  Yesterday Raissa and I indulged in a wistful and protracted conversation about grocery shopping.  Perishables, you see, aren't really practical given the tight turnarounds in our schedules.  Even laundry day is a much-anticipated and joyful event. 

During travel season, it's the small perks that change the day: the discovery of a Whole Foods near my Lafayette hotel.  Sleeping in until seven thirty one memorable morning.  A page-turning, world-altering book, in the form of Conor Grennan's "Little Princes."  Meeting up with my parents between school visits.  Catching a classic Law & Order marathon on TV. 

I leave for Oregon this weekend on my second-to-last trip of the season.  I'm looking forward to the autumn leaves, the rain (yes, really), the lasagna (mmm, Mamma Mia), the mostly logical street layouts, and the people -- many of my favorite-ever interviews have been with Portland students.  (Yes, Hannah, Jessica, Ileane, and Brian, I'm talking about you.)  And then two weeks of residential bliss before zipping up my suitcase and boarding a plane once more.  Holy luxury Batman.  I can't wait.