Admissions Announcement

The Admissions Office will be closed Monday through Thursday next week.  Technical staff from LSAC will be in the office as we convert to a new admissions database – and then learn how to utilize it.  As time permits, we will check e-mail and phone messages first thing in the morning and then at the end of the day.

One exciting aspect of the new software is that we can now go paperless.  After a life time of reading paper files, we will now read all applications on-line.  It’s going to be quite a change for all of us – and change is good, especially when saving more trees!

Oh, Canada!

I recently returned from a week long, two-part trip across the eastern coast of Canada. Part one sent me through Maine (stopped in Portland), New Brunswick, side trip to Halifax, Nova Scotia, back to NB to Chaleur Bay, then into Quebec for some camping at Forillon National Park (the end of the Appalachian Mountains at the tip of the Gaspe Peninsula). On the way back we stopped in Quebec City, Montreal and finally made our way back into Vermont. It was quite the trip, we drove over 2500 miles.

The highlight of the trip was, of course, the coastal views. Chaleur bay is one of the 10 most beautiful bays in the world, and it surely lives up to its title. Although, once we were deep into the Gaspe Peninsula, the scenery was magnificent with steep rocky cliffs, plush landscapes, and stunning ocean views. The several sunsets I witnessed left me in complete awe!

This trip as my post-law school release and rebirth into my new position, career, and life. Kathy jokes with me saying, “you can have a life again; it’s not all books and classes anymore!” Although, knowing the way I am, I will take my job way too seriously… which I think is a good thing and I am sure Kathy would agree.

One of the great things about living in Vermont is our proximity to so much. It took me until my third year of law school to begin to realize all Vermont (and the surrounding area) has to offer.  From taking weekend trips to Canada (especially Montreal, it’s less than three hours away), to Boston, NYC, and exploring the many small towns, rivers, lakes and parks right in our own Vermont backyard.

You can never go wrong by sending homemade Vermont goods to family (think the holidays)!!

In other news…

New students are pouring into South Royalton and the town is starting to come alive once again. I’ve had the opportunity to speak to many students and there is a balanced mix of anxiety, fear, excitement, and enthusiasm in the air. All the right ingredients for the semester to begin!

The First Day of Orientation

The first morning of Orientation, when I am standing up in front of the new class, staff and faculty for the “welcome” speech is absolutely my favorite moment of the school year.

Today was no different.  It was a glorious summer morning, the fog was burning off and the mountains were magnificently green.  In front of me sat about 275 entering JD and MELP students – with every expression on their faces, from still half asleep to anxious anticipation.

My speech is so much fun because I include lots of interesting  facts about members of the class.  For example:

• Cheerleader for the Green Bay Packers
• Member of the Team USA in 2004 – World Synchronized Skating Championships in Croatia
• 2 are proficient in American Sign Language and are active in the deaf community
• Charter pilot in British Columbia and the Yukon Territory
• 2 winemaker apprentices
• Fluent in written Latin and written Ancient Greek
• Member of college varsity rodeo team
• Member of the Edelweiss Yodel Club – in Seoul, Korea
• World Rope Skipping champion in 1997
• Composed over 200 classical piano pieces and distributes them for free on various websites

Members of this class are fluent in 24 languages and dialects.  They come from 40 states and 172 undergraduate institutions – with 41 different majors.  What an interesting group of people and what a great start to a new year.

Two weeks out from Orientation

The new students are moving to Vermont now; many are checking in with the Admissions Office just to say hi and to see what else they need to do before school starts.

We are so happy to see them. This year has been a long journey both for the applicants and for those of us who have gotten to know them.

Welcome to your new home – sorry about all the rain!!

Thanks, Kathy, for the welcome and perfect introduction to get me started!

As Kathy pointed out, I just joined the Admissions staff after graduating. I had an exceptional three years here (if I didn’t, I doubt they would want me in Admissions) and I feel very fortunate that I am  sticking around!

Making the transition from student to staff takes some time to get used to. I took advantage of the many opportunities to connect with faculty and staff while I was a student, which made joining the VLS team a breeze.  However, addressing professors by their first names takes some practice!

It feels great to be part of an institution that lives its mission. Through its programs, faculty, staff, and most importantly — its students, there is a level of consciousness present in this central Vermont town, that is like none other. Everyone here wants to make a difference, and collectively, this becomes a powerful force — which achieves results.

I am excited to be on the road this fall (just around the corner) to speak to all the perspective students and connect with alum along the way. VLS is a special place to grow personally and professionally. We attract passionate students, with passionate interests, and I look forwarding to creating classes that will change the world.

Mid-Summer Check-In

July is always an odd time in Admissions. Everyone thinks that it should be really quiet and many people are surprised that we are working – ha.  July is one of the busier months in the admissions cycle. On the one hand, we are still working to bring in the entering class with last minute mailings, prep for Orientation, housing assistance, campus visits with families, etc.

At the same time, we are in over-drive planning for this coming fall. New publications are in the final draft stages, web sites and application materials are updated, travel schedules finalized for recruiting events, and prospects for 2010 are visiting the campus.

We have a banner class enrolling this fall – right now the number is over 230. It will drop a bit between now and August, but not too much. We still have a small wait list, but the signs are not looking good at this time.

I am delighted to announce a new position in the office, Associate Director of Admissions – filled by John Miller, a new graduate of the law school. As a student, he was very active across campus and was selected by his classmates to give the student speech at commencement. Also, he was selected by the faculty to receive the award as the student who best exemplified the spirit of the VLS community. Welcome aboard, John.

Celebrating Independence Day in Vermont

I love hometown parades and fireworks, so Vermont is right place to be to celebrate the 4th of July. Here are some of the happenings around the state. I live in Randolph, so will probably just walk a mile to Main Street to enjoy the festivities. The local fireworks are in a field across the the road from my house, so we just sit in our own backyard for the best seat in the house.

The 4th of July parade in Randolph is a traditional small town parade that’s the pride of Randolph. Starts at 10 AM. Get there early with a lawn chair and set up on the sidewalk. It’s followed by music, food and games. www.randolph-chamber.com

Watching fireworks from the Statehouse Lawn in Montpelier is always special. July 3, the party starts at 6:00 pm downtown with music (nice block party street dances), food, and a parade. Fireworks at 9:30. Free. http://www.mdca.org/montpelier_independence_day_celebration

VT Symphony Orchestra plays a varied program and concludes with fireworks to the 1812 Overture.
July 3, Grafton Ponds (Route 35, Townshend $25) or July 4th at Shelburne Farms (Route 7, Shelburne $32) or July 5th at the Trapp Family Lodge Concert Meadow (Stowe, $30). www.vso.org/

4th of July Fireworks Extravagnza at the VT State Fairgrounds, Rutland. http://www.rutlandvermont.com/images/fireworks09.pdf

An Old Vermont 4th, at the Billings Farm Museum in Woodstock, 10 AM – 5 PM.
“Traditional music, flag-making, hand cranked ice cream, horse-drawn wagon rides, patriotic speeches and debates, and more! ” There’s an admissions fee.
Then head to the Woodstock Union High School for the town carnival and fireworks display. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and a picnic or buy vendor food (no alcohol allowed). Fire spinners, bands, kids games lead up to fireworks at dusk. There’s a fee. www.woodstockvt.com/

For something completely different, head to Montreal’s International Jazz Festival. Great music in a great city (need I mention the great food and drink?). Their definition of jazz is pretty loose. 350 free outdoor shows on multiple stages. Tonight: Stevie Wonder, yes, free. (There’s pricy inside concerts as well.)
June 30-July 12 Montreal is 3 hours from SoRo if all goes well at the border. Bring your passport. www.montrealjazzfest.com

On July 3rd, Burlington has a free concert in Battery Park.
Starts at 6:30 pm with 2 great bands: The Horseflies from Ithaca (“post folk art rock”) and The Lost Fingers (Gypsy jazz from Quebec). Then fireworks over Lake Champlain at 9:30. www.celebratechamplain.org

Enjoy !!

Family Vacation Time

I have been on vacation since last Wednesday. My mother came up from Central Florida to visit. She complains about the heat in Florida (and I heartily agree with her), but she does not tolerate the cooler weather of Vermont. Our temps have been in the mid-60’s and she is living in one of my heavier fleece jackets – I am in short sleeves and sandals!

On Thursday, we drove to Burlington for the Vermont Quilt Festival. We are both avid quilters, so always schedule her visit to coincide with the show. The largest show in the Northeast, we saw lots of beautiful quilts and spent a little money with the vendors. We had planned to return on Friday, but felt more inspired to stay home and work on my current project – a large sampler. It was a dark and rainy day, so there were only a few thoughts about venturing outside. Over the course of 2 long days, we completely cut out all the remaining blocks, sashing, borders and binding for my project. Piecing will now be a breeze. Thanks for the assistance!

The only work I have done this week is keeping up with campus e-mail. So much is happening in the office with the 2nd deposit deadlines that I cannot lose track of emails or the daily data reports.

Took mother to the airport this morning, so am now catching up on laundry and re-setting the extra bedroom for it’s regular use. Back to work in the morning . . .

Road Trip This Week

I am looking forward to this week. Early Wed morning (about 5 am), I am taking off in the car for New Haven, CT – about a 3 1/2 hour drive straight south on 91. Yale Law School is hosting the Northeast Association of Pre-Law Advisors meeting, an annual event where pre-law advisors and law school admissions folks get together and talk and talk and talk . . . about the applicant world, about LSAC, about everything that has to do with our joint connection. One day will also be spent on the Quinnipiac Law School campus and the Univ. of Conn. Law School campus – a field trip within a field trip! There about about 250 pre-law advisors and 60 law school admissions deans registered, a medium sized group for this organization.

About the only thing I like about New Haven (other than the Yale campus), is a fantastic music store for classical organ and piano music. It’s only about 4 blocks from my hotel, so will definitely find time to go shopping

Is it really June already?

This spring has gone by so fast – I can’t believe that we are already into June! I think part of the problem is that we have had so much rain and cool temps. Granted, we need to rain to create the green mountains for the Green Mountain state, but enough is enough!

Summer school started last week. We have a number of students from other law schools, esp. Univ of South Carolina. They are freezing! One girl came into the office last week, dressed in a cute sun dress and sandals – to ask “Where can I buy some warm clothes”??

We are in the final stretch with the entering class . . . final deposit deadline is June 17th, so lots of checks are arriving in the office daily. The very patient candidates on the wait list will finally have some closure by the end of the month – yes or no . . .

Happy Anniversary to my honey