Admissions Alumni Volunteer Activities and Expectations
Admissions alumni volunteers assist the college in a number of ways. Our objective is to work with you—our alumni—as well as students, faculty, staff and other friends of the College to further publicize Lewis & Clark and personalize the admissions process. Alumni can refer students to the College and help us talk with inquiring students about the uniqueness of a Lewis & Clark education; encourage questions about specific academic programs and financial aid; and help students make the right decision about which college is the one for them. We want to give them the right kind of information regarding Lewis & Clark, not the “hard sell.”
Alumni can also help by talking about their Lewis & Clark experiences with associates at clubs and service organizations, with friends, and in other informal conversations. Studies have shown that many students determine which college to attend based on the recommendation they receive from a friend, parent or fellow student. One of the best ways to improve our reputation as an institution—and the value of our degrees—is through this kind of informal alumni advocacy. Alumni can make a significant contribution to the College through actively supporting admissions.
The following list includes ideas for how you can be involved in the AAV program. No single individual can do all of the events suggested, and further ideas for activities for may develop over time. Fall
COLLEGE FAIRS
Throughout the year, we receive invitations to many high school college fairs across the country. Most of them take place in the fall, with a few in the spring. In some cases, a member of our staff is able to attend the fair to represent the College, many times with AAV assistance. In other cases, the fair may be at a time when a staff member is not in the area and, if the fair organizers permit, we will seek alumni representation.
COUNSELOR VISITS
When a counselor is in your area, (s)he will want to meet for coffee or dinner to find out how things are going in your area and see if you need any help or have questions. If your schedule permits you may even want to join him/her for a visit to a local high school.
ALUMNI INTERVIEWS
Admissions counselors offer interviews for prospective students during fall travel. We may ask for your assistance in greeting students and their parents while we are conducting the interviews. In some areas where we are not visiting, students may inquire about "having an interview" or ask to talk with an alumnus, and we will contact you about conducting an informational interview with the student.
Winter
CONGRATULATORY EMAILS/PHONE CALLS
We ask AAVs to email or call accepted students to congratulate them and to see if they have any questions. We want to be sure, to the greatest extent possible, that students are sufficiently well-informed about Lewis & Clark so that whether they choose Lewis & Clark or not, this choice has been an informed one. This contact would take place in February for students admitted under the Early Action application plan.
FOLLOW-UP AND ALUMNI INTERVIEWS
Admissions counselors visit key metropolitan areas for follow-up interviews with prospective students in January or February, and we may ask for your assistance in greeting students and their parents while we are conducting the interviews. In some areas where we are not visiting, students may inquire about "having an interview" or ask to talk with an alumnus, and we will contact you about conducting an informational interview with the student.
PROSPECTIVE STUDENT RECEPTIONS
In some key areas, AAVs work with the Admissions Office to organize and host receptions for prospective students.
Spring
CONGRATULATORY EMAILS/PHONE CALLS
Once our April 1 admissions notices are sent (to the bulk of our applicants), AAVs are asked to email or call to offer congratulations and answer questions to these admitted students. This contact takes place in early April.
ATTENDING/HOSTING ADMITTED STUDENT RECEPTIONS
Throughout the month of April, the Admissions Offices works with the Alumni Office to organize alumni/admitted student receptions. AAVs may be asked to greet admitted students and their families and welcome them to the event.
Summer
SUMMER SEND-OFFS
AAVs work with current students and the alumni office to host "Summer Send-off" receptions for students enrolling at L&C in the fall. These are social receptions, designed to let students talk with current students about final details of their arrival on campus.
ALUMNI VOLUNTEER TRAINING CONFERENCE
Mandatory two-day training at L&C for all new AAVs. Held every odd-numbered year. The College will pay travel, meals, and lodging for the conference.
Year-Round
FUTURE PIO
Prospective students can be discovered in many places -- in families with whom you are acquainted, through any groups you belong to (church groups, community organizations) and local high schools. Let us know if you discover a student for whom you think L&C would be a good match. It is most helpful if you can provide us with their name and address.
KEY RESOURCE PERSON
We will refer calls to you from students/parents in your territory. Typically AAVs are not flooded with contacts, but it is nice to be able to provide a name and contact information of someone local.
CONTACT AN ALUM
An online directory, linked from the admissions web page, is available to prospective students. This directory encourages prospective students to contact alumni to answer questions about their time and experiences at L&C.
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