Can’t we all just get along? Actually, we do!

Admit it! You probably think that college representatives are not nice to one another because we are all after the same great students.  You could not be more wrong!

While many colleges are on the road competing for the same best and brightest students, we are also very collegial and get along very well.  If you think about it, we are on the road traveling alone all around the state and sometimes even the country in unfamiliar places.  This is the case for most schools when they are on the road recruiting.  So why wouldn’t we want some company for lunch in between fairs, or a nice dinner after the evening fair.  Next thing you know there are 15 admission counselors at the local buffalo wild wings enjoying wings and maybe even a little bit of karaoke.  Every year when travel season starts, I guarantee there are emails sent, facebook posts made and text messages sent between admission counselors at each school to figure out who will be where and when.  I just came off the road and I must say I had a good time with my colleagues from other schools.  That example I gave about buffalo wild wings is a true story.  Counselors from colleges in VA and NC enjoyed some down time after the fair to grab some wings, a nice cold beverage and a little bit of karaoke.  We share stories about the student who came to every table to ask about our nursing program, or the parent who asked all the questions while the student just stood there, or the students who just needed to get their paper signed to prove they talked to 4 different colleges. (Future blog about what to ask at a college fair to come).  So if you go out to eat after you attend the college fair and see that W&M counselor singing some old school Michael Jackson, do not be alarmed.  We are just winding down from a long day of visiting schools and attending college fairs and channeling the inner performer that is in us all.

Randy Tripp, Jr. ’05
Assistant Dean of Admission