Show future Colonials your passion for GW

We are writing in response to the column, “Rush season for admissions,” (March 22, p. 4).

There is something magical about April Visit Days. Getting admitted seniors to choose GW is by far the most gratifying experience for anybody in admissions.

As students who have participated in various admissions-related functions, we’ve seen the Office of Admissions bring in the next generation of Colonials. Whether it’s allowing prospective students to further explore the University, or spending extra time with families who have a zillion questions, student admissions representatives are the face of GW.

Sure, our knowledge of certain facts and figures might help, but participating in these events is not about overwhelming prospective families with trivial statistics. The point is to highlight our personal stories as part of the larger GW experience.

Students involved in the admissions office are eager to provide their perspectives, and are the most passionate about this University. They want to share their excitement with prospective students to get them just as enthusiastic about their futures on the Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses as we are.

These programs are anything but exclusive. The countless tour guides, admissions assistants, senior interviewers, summer tour guides and bloggers represent GW academically, socially and geographically. With the right mix of excitement for GW and interpersonal skills, any undergraduate student can become involved in the admissions process.

Students who do not want to be affiliated with the office can still participate by interacting with prospective students when they come to campus. In fact, we love it when our friends call us out while we’re giving tours.

For those of you not associated with admissions, we encourage you to engage with prospective students and tell them about your favorite part of GW.

Instead of criticizing what the admissions office does or does not do, try to become involved with the process and show future GW students your passion for this University.

Throughout April Visit Days, we encourage everybody on campus – not just the loud tour guides donning yellow shirts – to participate.

Find your own way to join in on the fun and express your excitement for the Hippo.

Sam Bernstein and Michelle Liu are student admissions representatives.