A few years ago, I took 10 first-year students on a hiking trip to Scotland. It rained almost every day, and the Scottish Midges were brutal. During the trip, we carried 40-pound backpacks (45-pounds when waterlogged) up and down ancient rocky trails, eating freeze-dried meals for nine days straight. Not everyone thought it was awesome. […]
It Works Out
Listen to “It Works Out: Episode 4- Andrew Cohen, Becky Tankersley, Chaffee Viets, Kathleen Voss, Evan Simmons, Sammy Rose-Sinclair” on Spreaker. Each year, right before we release admission decisions, I speak with our tour guides. I love talking to this group because they are smart, excited, and always have really good snacks (shout out to […]
What is taking so long?
Listen to “How Are College Admission Applications Reviewed? Episode 3: Mary Tipton Woolley” on Spreaker. Every parent develops their own strategy for how to fend off the inevitable question kids ask on road trips: “When will we get there?” Early on, I decided the best way to help a toddler understand distance was to use […]
Lice (and admission) Lessons
Three years ago, I wrote a blog about my family getting lice. Here is how it went down. Cue dream sequence… My wife called to tell me some horrible news. “Our daughter has lice.” “Oh, crap.” “No. Lice. She has to leave school.” “Okay. Got it.” Since my wife works at a hospital she can’t […]
Remember The Important Things
What am I forgetting? Sunday, December 1 7:13 a.m. – I awake to the faint sound of singing. This is not typical. Groggily, I open my eyes and look over at my wife. Dead asleep. 7:15 a.m. – I drag myself out of bed, pull on a shirt, and shuffle to the bathroom exhausted. After […]