Alum Admission Program
In order to have personal contact with prospective students, the Admission staff relies upon dedicated alums who exemplify the many ways in which a ÓûÂþɬ education can shape a student’s future. The alum admission program is comprised of more than 300 volunteers around the world who serve as AARs or assistant volunteers, and assist the Office of Admission in three ways:
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Interviewing prospective students. Interviewers meet with prospective students in their area for a conversation about the student and their interest in ÓûÂþɬ. The alum submits an interview report that is included in the student’s application for admission. Interviews are conducted throughout the year, though most take place October - January.
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Representing MHC at college fairs. Volunteers may also represent ÓûÂþɬ at college fairs where they will answer general questions about the College and share their MHC experience with prospective students and families. The necessary materials are provided by the Office of Admission. College fairs take place throughout the year but are most frequent in the spring and fall.
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Hosting events for prospective and admitted students. We encourage volunteers to congratulate and celebrate students who have been admitted to ÓûÂþɬ. Regions with a large number of alums and admitted students often host events; other regions choose to acknowledge students in a more individualized way. Some regions host additional summer and fall events, for incoming students and prospective students, respectively.
Alums can expect to commit 3-10 hours per year to volunteer activities (depending on their role and geographic region). If you are interested in volunteering, please email aap@mtholyoke.edu for more information.
Eligibility to volunteer
Alum admission volunteers should be able to speak about ÓûÂþɬ with enthusiasm and pride. In addition, they should be knowledgeable about campus activities and must be able to describe the current student experience.
Volunteers assist in recruiting first-year and transfer students pursuing a Bachelor’s degree. Prospective students expect to meet with individuals who have completed a degree at the college therefore, alum admission volunteers must hold an undergraduate degree from ÓûÂþɬ. Other prohibitions for volunteer eligibility include potential conflicts of interest:
- Working in admission for another college or university.
- Working as a college counselor, independent consultant or another field related to college admission.
- Volunteering for an admission office at another institution.
- Having a child or sibling applying to college (though volunteers may join after that particular admission cycle concludes).
If any of these circumstances apply to you, we are happy to chat about other ways you can volunteer for the College.
If you have any questions about the Alum Admission Program, please email aap@mtholyoke.edu.
Admission Volunteer Roles
The Alum Admission Representative (AAR) serves as the liaison between the Office of Admission, alum assistant volunteers, and prospective students in their region. The AAR will work with the admission staff member who travels in their territory to assist the Admission Office with recruiting efforts.
Volunteers must be able to
- Serve as a volunteer for a period of two years
- Conduct interviews, attend college fairs and coordinate outreach to prospective students in your region
- Regularly monitor emails from the Office of Admission and prospective students and respond within three days
- With the support of assistant volunteers, determine how volunteer responsibilities will be shared or delegated
- Maintain communication with the local MHC club in your region
- Regularly review training materials and newsletters to stay informed about events and changes at the College
- Devote some evenings and/or partial weekends for college fairs or several 30-minute interviews
- Submit required documentation following events no later than seven days after the event (interview reports or college fair evaluations)
Depending on the size of the area and the number of local alums, an assistant volunteer provides support to the local AAR. Any work that assistants do on behalf of MHC should be done in cooperation with the AAR, and may include conducting interviews, attending college fairs, and assisting with planning and hosting events for prospective students. The team of volunteers in one region should work together to determine how responsibilities will be shared or delegated.
Assistant volunteers should be prepared to
- Serve as a volunteer for a period of two years
- Regularly monitor emails from the Office of Admission, your regional AAR and prospective students, and respond within three days
- Review training materials and newsletters to stay informed about events and changes at the College
- Devote some evenings and/or partial weekends for college fairs or several 30-minute interviews
- Submit required documentation following events no later than seven days after the event (interview reports and/or college fair evaluations
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