In addition to covering pressing issues and upcoming events, WACAConversations has a number of regular blog series. Some series will be seasonal while others will run through the full academic year; some series are weekly while others are monthly. Please use the “SERIES” section to find a list of posts under each series. And, look for additional series as the year progresses.
INCLUSION
In this blog series, WACAC’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access Committee hopes to share information that pertains to IDEA issues–to keep all WACAC members engaged in important conversations.
PRESIDENTIAL PONTIFICATIONS
In this monthly series, the current WACAC President will address issues facing the association, as well as larger issues in education related to college counseling.
STRETCHING YOUR PER DIEM
Chris Helvajian explains his blog: I’m a battle-tested road warrior with proven methods for stretching your per diem. I’ll tell you all about the ways I’ve seen others save money and make per diem count! But, let’s be clear – this blog is meant to be a humorous distraction from the tedium of travel season. You probably shouldn’t do anything I suggest – except for the responsible stuff, of course. This is satire, not scripture. Focus on staying healthy, happy and fiscally aware while on the road. Make your director, colleagues and institution proud!
TRANSFER TOPICS
This series will provide a monthly look at hot topics and new developments in transfer admissions, both within WACAC and across our region. Written by the WACAC Transfer Advocacy Committee.
ADMISSIONS LEADERS IN ACTION
In this monthly series Curtis Morisaki profiles enrollment managers from WACAC colleges and universities. Each profile is 1,000 words or less and is divided into three sections: The Journey, The Role, and Odds & Ends. He hopes the profiles provide interesting information on some amazing admission leaders!
A HISTORY OF COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
Jenny Umhofer, owner and founder of Colledge, takes us on a deep dive on the college admissions process from several different perspectives. Drawing on history and recent developments, as well as experience and insights born of 15 years working in college admissions, Jenny offers a distinctive take on how the college admissions process came to be what it is, and where the process is headed in the years to come.
YOU GO GIRL (BOY)!
This blog outlines ways to encourage your fellow colleagues while you’re all out on the road. We can sometimes feel like a ship in the night while traveling. Wouldn’t it feel good to give and receive some love from your peeps? Tips and tricks to stay connected and reinforced during travel season!
Previous Series
HOW TO BE AN ADULT
In this bi-monthly series, Grant Cushman will explore a litany of seemingly (and actually) unrelated topics that apply not necessarily to the world of admissions, but to the world in general. Since our industry is full of young counselors, I hope to explore topics that will aid the new professional in making that awkward post-college phase seem less painful for them and everyone else involved.
FINDING THE FIT
This quarterly blog series provides the student perspective on the college admission process. It features four different students: a freshman applicant from a private school (Lizzie Bennett), a freshman applicant from a public school, a transfer student applying under the Transfer Admission Guarantee of the UC system (Cali Boy), and a transfer student applying broadly (24 and Overboard). Finding the Fit asks students to blog candidly about their experiences researching colleges, applying to colleges, waiting to hear from colleges, and deciding where to attend college after receiving admissions decisions. Personal information and the list of schools to which each student is applying has been kept confidential. Still, each student will offer a unique take on finding his or her own search for fit.
NEW HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR
In this monthly series, follow a college counselor through her first year navigating the transition from college admission counselor to the other side of the desk. Written by Meredith Britt.
TABLE FOR ONE: A RECRUITMENT STORY
In this weekly series, Sam Schreiber will be blogging throughout her recruiting in hopes of giving an honest perspective of what it is like as an admission counselor on the road. Readers will follow her from getting her territory and planning travel all the way through her six weeks of high school visits, college fairs, receptions and interviews. Sometimes there will be fun anecdotes from her various interactions and sometimes there will be mundane observations. All of the time she will give you a glimpse of what admission counselors do every Fall.
TALES FROM THE BIO DOME
In this series, an experienced counselor muses on the art and science of guiding our next generation of cherubs through the college admission process.
TECH TUESDAYS
In this bi-weekly series, Grant Cushman will be outlining various ways in which technology can aid admission professionals in their day to day work. He will focus on certain applications that have helped him in the past, as well as give general tips on maximizing your efforts with popular programs such as Microsoft Office and Google Chrome.
WACACast
In this blog series, Sam Schreiber and Grant Cushman will discuss a variety of topics ranging from travel tips, application review, and everything in between. These will be unconventional posts with embedded links for a podcast that can be listened to from the comforts of your desk or on the go!