Suffolk University

Who: Dan C & Jackie A. (Suffolk Admissions Counselors)
What: Suffolk University Office of Admissions
When: December 18, 2007
Where: Welcome Center 72 Tremont St. Boston, Ma
Why: To learn more about college, and better understand our ‘Essential Question’

This morning we visited our last admissions office (Suffolk University) in Boston, Ma. I couldn’t have been more pleased with the efforts put forth by the staff at Suffolk. They were very well educated, knowledgeable, and extremely personable; everything you look for in an admissions staff. Suffolk University is a mid-sized school (4500) spread throughout the city of Boston. They have 70 clubs and organizations that coincide with 13 varsity sports. Like most academic institutions in America, they are forever growing. Recently, the school has built a television and radio station.

The admissions staff reaffirmed what our group suspected. Co-curricular activities can lead you down a path of success. Dan pointed out that extra-curricular activities give students an outlet. They can lead to life long connections, which in turn, could lead you to a great job. In a sense they prepare you for the ‘next’ step in your life. Aside from the obvious, such activities can teach an adolescent time management skills, and the ability to successfully multi-task.

The staff encouraged our students to stay involved with many activities throughout the remainder of their high school years. When it comes down to college, the more activities you have, the more appealing your resume/application looks. When applying to a college they insisted our kids “be conceited”. List as much about yourselves as possible. “The more a student does, the better a leader he can become.” Anytime you go on a job interview, they initially ask about your education, but directly after that, your future boss wants to know everything else you have been involved with. “What else have you done?”

I want to thank the admissions office at Suffolk for doing an unbelievable job. They captured our groups attention, and kept all the students interested throughout the presentation. For more info about the good people at Suffolk, visit them at www.suffolk.edu

Street Interview

Who: Jackie L (Emmanuel College ’09)
What: Street Interview
When: Monday December 17, 2007
Where: Emmanuel College campus
Why: To gain a students perspective toward our essential questions.

This afternoon we visited the Emmanuel College campus. After our admissions interview our group had a street interview with a current Emmanuel College student. Very interested in our group topic, Jackie L was more than willing to give us valuable insight. She attributes a lot of her success at the high school and collegiate level to co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. “I developed friends, built relationships, and gained a solid work ethic with each and every sport/group I joined.” At Emmanuel Jackie plays field hockey, and is the head of the economics club. She encouraged all of our students to continue on with their education, but always look to get involved with activities ‘outside of the classroom’.

After our meeting our group had a time to reflect at Starbucks in downtown Boston. Our group is starting to see how activities outside of the classroom can help shape you toward a path of success. “The more relationships you build in life, the more likely you are to meet someone who is going to positively affect your life.”

Special thanks: Jackie, Pat, and the Emmanuel College community.

Feel free to show them love at, www.emmanuel.edu

Emmanuel College

Who: Pat D
Where: Emmanuel College (Boston, MA)
When: Monday December, 17
What: We visited Emmanuel College, and took a tour of the campus.
Why: To learn about the school, and to gain insight to our Essential Question.

This morning at 11:30 we met with Pat D of the Emmanuel College admissions office. He started by telling our group a little about the small Catholic college, and then opened the floor up to our questions. Emmanuel College is an up and coming institution, recently going co-educational in 2001. Pat was extremely informative and knowledgeable about co-curriculars. While at Emmanuel, Pat ran both indoor and outdoor track, and was involved in numerous clubs.

Some facts our students learned about co-curricular and extra-curricular activities: At the college level, admissions counselors look for students with many different activities on their resume because they know these students are well-rounded citizens. At Emmanuel they have 50 clubs and 40 organizations. Of these, 75% of undergraduate students are involved in at least one activity. Pat feels that co-curricular’s teach students time management, how to interact with people, and instills ‘leadership qualities’ that ultimately help you in life. I feel this visit benefited our students, and was a great experience.

For more information about Emmanuel College, please visit www.emmanuel.edu

Driving Questions

Leanne: Are students more likely to stay all four years if they participate in an extra-curricular activity?

December 16, 2007 11:23 AM


Chris M said...
Are there certain co-curricular activities that colleges like better than others?

December 16, 2007 11:23 AM


Evan said...
Evan: How do the acceptance rates of kids who are involved in extra-curricular activities compare to those of kids who are not?

December 16, 2007 11:23 AM


Zach K said...
Zach: My driving question is how do kids who do extra curriculars do grade wise compared to kids who dont?

December 16, 2007 11:24 AM


Charles E. said...
Are the grades of someone that participates in an extra-curricular activity generally higher than someone who doesn't?

December 16, 2007 11:25 AM


Jordan EK said...
Some students consider co-curricular activities more important than school work. How do you feel about this?

December 16, 2007 11:25 AM

Trevor s said...
Is it valuable for a student to engage in co-curricular activities?

December 16, 2007 11:26 AM


Leo N. said...
My driving question is the following: How does the faculty and staff try to make the students more active in co-curricular activities in the community?

December 16, 2007 11:32 AM

JUA

Over the next few weeks students will be looking at co-curricular activities, and how they can shape your college experience. Whether a college student participates in the theater, band, debate clubs, or a sport team, the activity is assured to have a profound affect on their life. I have asked the students to start researching questions to ask college admissions counselors when we visit Boston. We will also dissect the number of college students who participate in such activities, and see if there is any pattern for success. I look forward to updating all of you soon.

-Mike