the cornell alumni admissions ambassador network (caaan) caaan overview: an introduction for new...
TRANSCRIPT
The Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network (CAAAN)
CAAAN Overview:An Introduction for
New VolunteersSeptember 2012
Using This Document
It is intended for new CAAAN volunteers and those needing a refresher.
It is available as .pps (PowerPoint slideshow) file containing clickable links.
It can be used as a self-training file or used by chairs in broadcast mode.
It can be edited by changing the file extension from .pps to .ppt.
Please direct questions and comments to your CAAAN chair.
2
This Overview Covers…
What is CAAAN?
Roles of CAAAN volunteers
CAAAN contact meetings
Undergraduate admissions
Financial aid
3
What Is CAAAN?
CAAAN is the “Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network”
9,500 alumni volunteers worldwide #1 Cornell alumni activity!
Organized into about 350 active committees
Acts as an extension of the Undergraduate Admissions Office (UAO) to help with recruiting and yield efforts
Ambassadors for Cornell first, but also a resource for students and parents
44
CAAAN Mission
Assist Cornell Admissions community with freshman recruitment and enrollment
Promote Cornell University by serving as ambassadors throughout the world
Personalize the admissions process for freshman applicants
Engage CU alumni with future alumni
5
CAAAN Volunteers
Conduct informational contact meetings with applicants (not evaluative interviews)
Typically contact 50-60% of the total applicant pool Submit informational contact reports that add
depth/perspective to students’ applications Conduct admitted student receptions, entering
student events Represent Cornell at college fairs Hold receptions for admitted applicants and
sendoffs for entering freshmen
6
The CAAAN Structure
CAAAN Advisory Committee (‘C’AC)
350 committees led by experienced CAAAN volunteers
9,500 alumni ambassadors worldwide
CAAAN Coordinator and CAAAN Assistant(Kyle Downey) (Colleen Chaffee)
*The CAAAN Coordinator and CAAAN Assistant are employees of Cornell; all other positions listed above are held by volunteers.
77
Your CAAAN Chair
Is an experienced volunteer
Assigns and tracks applicant referrals
Is your first contact for questions and suggestions
Areas vary, but the average chair receives 100 referrals per year
88
CAAAN and Cornell Clubs
A CAAAN committee is often closely linked to a local Cornell Club
CAAAN chairs are frequently club officers
Cornell Clubs generously co-host and provide funding for many local CAAAN events each year
9
CAAAN Contact Meetings: Overview (1 of 3)
Meetings are the core role of CAAAN volunteers
Contact Meetings help personalize the admissions process for Cornell applicants
Should be positive, informal, and informative meetings Not evaluative interviews to assess
worthiness of candidates for admission Opportunities for applicants to learn more
about the Cornell Experience and for Cornell to learn a bit more about its applicants, too
10
CAAAN Contact Meetings: Overview (2 of 3)
Provide info about Cornell Answer applicant’s questions - research
and follow-up after meeting, if necessary
Put a positive face on Cornell - bring in your own relevant CU experiences
Submit a report with info about the applicant Focus on info not in the application Reports are read by admissions
11
CAAAN Contact Meetings: Overview (3 of 3)
CAAAN volunteers meet with freshman applicants to the following divisions: Fine Arts; Urban and Regional Studies majors in
College of Architecture, Art, and Planning College of Agriculture and Life Sciences College of Arts and Sciences College of Engineering College of Human Ecology School of Industrial and Labor Relations
The following programs require a formal interview instead Architecture major School of Hotel Administration
12
Your CAAAN chair emails you an applicant referral Contact the applicant ASAP by email* and/or phone
to arrange the meeting (not on the spot) Identify yourself as a Cornell alumni admissions
ambassador Explain the purpose of the meeting:
informational, not evaluative Select a mutually convenient time and location Exchange cell phone numbers
If applicant declines or doesn’t respond after two attempts, indicate so in the contact report
Contact meetings are optional for applicants* Use your Cornell email address if possible
CAAAN Contact Meetings: Arranging the Meeting
13
Applicant Name: Ezra Cornell Applicant Number: 1234567 Mailing Address: 1 Cornell Place, Ithaca, NY 14853 Mailing Phone: 607/123-4567 Email address: [email protected] School: Ithaca HS in Ithaca (CEEB: 123456) Gender: Male Ethnicity (Self-Reported): N/A College: A&LS Intended Major: Applied Economics and Mgmt Special Characteristics: Legacy
CAAAN Contact Meetings: The Applicant Referral Email
14
CAAAN Contact Meetings: Where to Meet
Face-to-face meetings are strongly preferred, but alternate approaches exist
Meet in a neutral, public place, e.g., coffee shop, library, local school
Do NOT meet in your home
Do NOT meet in the applicant’s home unless the applicant suggests that
15
CAAAN Contact Meetings: When to Hold Meetings
Meet as soon as you can, typically within two weeks from referral
File a narrative report online ASAP after the meeting
Be aware of the CAAAN calendar Early decision reports usually due November
30 Regular decision reports usually due March 1
16
CAAAN Contacts – Alternate Approaches
Sometimes geography or applicant volume makes a face-to-face meeting unrealistic.
Consider: phone or video (e.g., Skype) contacts small group meetings a personal email introducing yourself and
offering to answer any questions and/or share some information about your CU experience
17
CAAAN Contact Meetings: Conducting the Meeting (1 of 4)
Arrive on time (or call on time if a phone meeting)
Set the applicant at ease Remind the applicant that this is an
informational meeting, not an interview Ask open-ended questions to promote
conversation Share a favorite Cornell memory with the
applicant Don’t take notes during the meeting, but
do write up a few words soon after
18
Ask the applicant… Open-ended questions, such as
What’s important to you in a college? What questions do you have about Cornell? What would you like to know about my Cornell
experience? Is there is anything that you did not share
in your application that you would like to share now?
Give the applicant ample time to think, respond, and expand
CAAAN Contact Meetings: Conducting the Meeting (2 of 4)
19
Do NOT… Take notes during the meeting Ask about GPA, SATs, rank in class Compare Cornell with other universities Attempt to estimate the candidate’s
chances of admission
CAAAN Contact Meetings: Conducting the Meeting (3 of 4)
20
Cornell topics to discuss, based on the applicant’s interests… “Any person, any study”
Diverse, talented student body 4,000 courses!
Beauty of the campus Traditions and service/outreach World-renowned, accessible faculty Freshman experience Loyal alumni – Cornellian for life
CAAAN Contact Meetings: Conducting the Meeting (4 of 4)
21
Intended to add information and perspective to the application, not to recommend for or against admission
File your report within a few days of your meeting and before the CAAAN deadline
Include examples of what was discussed during your meeting
Report facts and observations, not judgments or conclusions
Admissions committees report that timely, well-written reports can aid in their decision-making process
The CAAAN Contact Report (1 of 2)
22
The CAAAN Contact Report (2 of 2)
File report online at CAAAN website Report unusual circumstances, e.g., time-
consuming responsibilities at home Include any new information that the
applicant asked you to share with the admissions committee
Don’t report physical characteristics (height, weight, level of attractiveness)
The length of the report is limited; don’t use space to repeat information that is already in the application
23
The CAAAN Website
At caaan.admissions.cornell.edu Primary site for CAAAN volunteers
CAAAN overview and training Contact report submission Loads of links to important resources
Key links on Members page No login required
Revised for 2012-13 Easier to navigate Updates to many of the training materials
24
The CAAAN Advisory Committee (‘C’AC) (1 of 2)
Helps guide and manage CAAAN Assists in defining CAAAN strategy,
processes and organization Trains and mentors Chairs Helps UAO troubleshoot areas with
leadership gaps or other issues Trusted advisors to UAO on matters such
as communication with alumni and students
25
Volunteers appointed by Coordinator of Volunteer Programs to actively assist in guiding/managing/training CAAAN
Experienced CAAAN leaders and one or two current students/young alumni
Averages about 18-20 members An intentionally diverse group
Geography Culture Graduation Year
Meets twice per year, plus conference calls as needed to work on projects
The CAAAN Advisory Committee (‘C’AC) (2 of 2)
26
The CAAAN Calendar*
October – February: contact meetings with applicants
Reports on contact meetings due Early decision: late November Regular decision: early March
Admissions decisions available Early decision: mid-December Regular decision: early April Rolling notification: early March (ILR
and Hotel only)*Dates vary slightly each year
27
Undergraduate Admissions
Cornell applicants… select early decision or regular decision submit both the Common Application and
Cornell Supplement apply to one* of seven undergraduate
colleges/schools Separate, optional application for financial aid*May also indicate an alternate college/school
See Updates from Campus slideshow on CAAAN website and Undergraduate Admissions website for additional details
2828
Financial Aid
Goals: Make Cornell as affordable as possible for students who demonstrate financial need and be as competitive as possible in recruiting and enrolling undergraduate students
Admission decisions are 100% need-blind All Financial Aid is need-based (no merit or athletic
scholarships) Initiatives in place to increase access to Cornell and
improve competitiveness of financial aid awards Online financial aid calculator See Financial Aid Update and other financial aid links on
References page of CAAAN website
2929
Freshman Life
Strong Cornell focus on new student support and acclimation programs
All freshmen housed together on North Campus, a living and learning community Variety of architectures and room styles Carol Tatkon Center – an academic and personal
resource center Fitness centers and great food Short walk to central campus
Wonderful satisfaction and retention – 97% of first-year students return for sophomore year
3030
Thank You For Volunteering Your Time Through CAAAN!
3131