I told myself I wouldn’t let this happen. I told myself I wouldn’t write a post apologizing for being too busy to write a blog post. Posting here has been high on my list of items to do, but it hasn’t happened recently. Why? I’ve been busy. That’s not an excuse, of course, but here’s an update on what’s been happening. I posted last year that February is a pretty crazy month for me. This year has been no exception.
Application Review
Our application deadline has come and gone, and now that the dust has (almost) settled, our application numbers are up significantly! That’s exciting news, but it also means that each of our staff members will be reviewing more applications in the same amount of time. Of course, we’ll continue to give each student a thorough review.
We’ve almost wrapped up all of our Early Action Round 2 applications. If you applied early and haven’t yet received a decision, it’s either on the way or your application is still very incomplete. Hopefully you know in which of those groups you fall. If in the latter, please get in touch with us, so we don’t cancel your application—we’ve been trying to reach you!
My personal reading status: 308 files read, 257 to go.
Crimson Key—the tour guides
February is the time when we select new Crimson Key tour guides. When walking around campus with our guides, you probably don’t realize the process through which they’ve gone to be in that place! This year the application numbers of students hoping to be tour guides increased again! We had over 130 applications for roughly 35 openings. Over the course of this and last week, the admissions staff and student interns are personally interviewing 80 potential candidates.
I have the not-so-glamourous task of making the tough decision of which of the applicants get chosen to become guides. It’s a lot like the admissions process: there are some easy decisions either way but quite a few in the middle. I’m extremely confident that we’ll have a great new group of tour guides to welcome you to campus starting in March!
Summertime!
Yes, you read that right. We’re already well underway with our planning for this summer’s programs. I’ve been working to line up faculty for the Frontiers and Launch summer programs in July and August. The rest of the staff is busy working on other details including housing, publications, off-campus events, evening activities, and of course academics. We’re not quite ready to accept applications yet, but if you want to spend a part of your summer having a great time and learning there’s a good chance we’ll have something for you if you’re heading into grades 9–12 next year! I’ll post much more detail about summer opportunities at WPI next week.
Admitted Students
Sure I’m still reviewing applications, but what about those 308 I’ve already completed? Many of them and many more (maybe you?) have already been admitted to WPI as members of the Class of 2013. Congratulations! This is the time of year when our office expects an increase in visitors among the admitted student population.
In fact, our first Admitted Student open house is fast approaching this Sunday. The aptly named Winter Preview will welcome nearly 1,000 visitors to campus. Students, staff, and faculty will be on hand to meet you, show you campus, and answer all of your questions. The weather forecast still looks good for Sunday!
Can’t make it to Winter Preview? That’s okay, we have two more open houses this spring. Registration for the Closer Look open houses is available now. I’m also working on planning some events around the country for you to meet some WPI alumni and other admitted students.
Admitted students: don’t forget about your exclusive Web site and the Class of 2013 Facebook group!
Athletics
And, finally, something a bit less work related. The winter sports season is in full swing at WPI. I personally follow the basketball teams very closely, but all of our teams are in action. WPI athletic teams currently lead the standings for the Worcester Cup which is awarded to the college or university in the Worcester area with the highest winning percentage for the entire year.
Both women’s (9-1, 17-5) and men’s (7-1, 16-4) basketball lead the NEWMAC conference with the season winding down. The men have been in and out of the national rankings over the past few weeks, and both teams should be able to solidify spots in the NCAA tournament with strong finishes. I’ll be heading into Cambridge this weekend to see the men play at MIT (second in the conference). Normally I wouldn’t so willingly invite you to visit another campus, but if you want to see what’s likely to be a hard-fought conference game, come on out to MIT on Saturday at 1pm. I’ll be there!
Also, Jen was quick to point out that men’s track and field is currently ranked 6 in the nation! Go WPI!
That’s enough for now. I’ll be sure to keep you better informed of what’s happening over the next few months. Let me know in the comments what you know.
