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IM Wenedy erur 9. 01 /.h Saemn
Wednesday,Fn 3B
news in review
Five of the most talked-about stories of the week, ranked in ascending order of actual importance
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Remember senior year of high school when you got more
mail than ever before in your life? One day's mail would
contain at least one postcard from the armed forces
and several letters from colleges - many you didn't even know
existed.
Hundreds of thousands of students apply to the University of
Michigan every year. Of those, only a fraction gain acceptance
and end up matriculating atthe Ann Arbor campus. But how do
those students decide they want to bleed maize and blue? How
does the University sell itself to bright high school seniors?
Attracting true Wolverines
When most people think of advertising, they think of mass
mailers, widespread e-mails or nationwide television ads.
While the University sends recruitment materials to hun-
dreds of thousands of students, according to a former admis-
sions officer, they're not sending those materials out to just
anyone.
Brie Jeweler-Bentz is an education consultant at the School
Counseling Group in Washington, D.C. Considering that her
job title isn't exactly self-explanatory, she says you can think
of her as a "private guidance counselor."
Jeweler-Bentz is hired by families with children entering
their junior year of high school who need extra help with their
college search. She helps her clients throughout the applica-
tion process, from choosing where to apply to editing their
application essays.
Jeweler-Bentz, the self-described "college matchmaker,"
said not everyone is a perfect fit for the University of Michi-
gan.
When matching students to the University, Jeweler-Bentz
noted that in order for students to stand out among the thou-
sands of applicants, they have to make an effort.
"It's not a school for an introvert," Jeweler-Bentz said. "You
need to be an initiator."
Jeweler-Bentz added that though the University does tend
to have large classes and an exceptionally large student popu-
lation - this year 6,900 freshman are enrolled - it is possible
to have relationships with professors. You just have to try.
"It's one of those big schools that feels smaller to me," Jew-
eler-Bentz said, reflecting on her time as an undergraduate
student here.
In an e-mail interview, Erica Sanders, director of recruit-
ment and operations in the Office of Undergraduate Admis-
sions at the University of Michigan, wrote that prospective
students should embody the characteristics of well-rounded
individuals.
"Students most interested in the University of Michigan
recognize the importance of academic excellence, commit-
ment to service learning and community engagement, interest
in the creative arts and school spirit," Sanders wrote.
Jake Timmis - a senior at Groves High School in Beverly
Hills, Mich. and an applicant this year - said he thinks most
high school students see Wolverines as students of high aca-
demic caliber.
"It's a really respectable school," Timmis said. "Anyone that
goes to Michigan is thought to be a smart kid."
Students want Michigan ... does
Michigan want them?
If the reputation of a Michigan student is so prestigious, does
this world-class university - one that is sometimes referred to as
the "Harvard of the West" - really need to advertise to attract
students?
Timmis said he thinks advertising is unnecessary and that
student recruitment played no role in his decision to apply to the
University. He added that he's never been to a college fair, nor has
he attended an official campus visit.
Considering the already overwhelming demand for the Uni-
versity and increase in applicants after the University switched
to the Common Application last fall, Timmis said he doesn't
believe there's a need for the University to reach out and recruit
students.
However, Jeweler-Bentz said the University does desire stu-
dents, just as students desire the University.
"Michigan wants to attract high-quality students," Jeweler-
Bentz said.
Jeweler-Bentz said the University tries to target specific
groups of students - citing high school visits as an example.
"Michigan knows that they're competing with the top schools
in the country for these amazing applicants," Jeweler-Bentz
said. "Theyneed to make areally good first impression and try to
connect and have that personal relationship."
Admissions officers at the University conduct outreach and
recruitment in-state as well as out-of-state. They do this mainly
through school visits and other types of marketing.
According to Sanders, University admissions officers desire
students who contribute to a "unique campus culture."
"Sharing the experiences of current students regarding their
U-M experience is the best way to help prospective students
understand the Michigan campus community culture," Sanders
wrote.
Sanders added that the University uses multiple mediums -
including e-mails, mailings, phone calls and alumni recruitment
- to reach out to prospective students who match that culture.
The out-of-state Michigan student
Being an in-state student, Timmis was aware of the Univer-
sity before he applied. But out-of-state students have to do alittle
more research to learn aboutthe AnnArbor campus.
Julie Weltman, a senior at Plano Senior High School in Plano,
Texas, said she wouldn't have known much about the Univer-
sity if she didn't have relatives in Michigan. Admissions offi-
cers didn't visit her school, and she never attended a college fair
where University officials were present.
"I already know about Michigan because I have a lot of family
up there," Weltman said. "If I didn't, then I would really have no
idea and probably wouldn't have applied."
Some Michigan residents argue that the University - being a
public university in the state of Michigan - should feel an obliga-
tion to admit more in-state students over students who apply from
Lindsay Lohan was charged for
grand theft on Tuesday after steal-
ing a necklace valued at $2,500
from a jewelry store last month.
The actress is already on probation
for a drunk driving charge.
°1 T T 11.T ITTT
Immigration raids over the past
few weeks at Chipotle Grill Inc. in
Minnesota resulted in the depor-
tation of hundreds of employees.
The Mexican restaurant has 1,100
locations in the U.S and employs
about 25,000 people.
Keith Olbermann, former host
of MSNBC talk show "Count-
down with Keith Olbermann,"
announced Tuesday he will be fea-
tured on Current TV. The network
said it hopes his presence will
attract more viewers.
A 10-month NASA survey con-
cluded on Tuesday that Toyota's
acceleration gliches were not due
to a mechanical error. The study
found that the problems were a
result of an electronic malfunction.
AOL merged with The Huffington
Post on Monday in a $315 million
deal. The merger is the biggest
event in AOL's history since the
company's seperation with Time
Warner in 2007.
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I I I ( I i l l l l l l l l l
quotes of the week
"So he understands ... its dangers andI think has
done a lot of extraordinary work to wrestle with
that habit, as millions of Americans have."
PRESS SECRETARY ROBERT GIBBS, discussing that President Barack
Obama officially quit smoking.
"I can only hope that everyone could feel my love for
this country and that the true spirit of its anthem
still came through."
POP STAR CHRISTINA AGUILERA, apologizing for her loss of memory
during her rendition of the National Anthem on Super Bowl Sunday.
the rules
from the archives
Rabbits, tarantulas andfish, oh my!
No. 313:
Your first study
abroad photo
album on Facebook
was interesting.
Not your tenth.
No. 314:
Pedestrians hate
drivers. Drivers
hate pedestrians.
We all hate
cyclists.
No. 315:
Forget the romantic
date. The best
valentines come
from your parents
anyway.
coURTESY OF ABC
Confiscating pets from dormitory residents was never explicitly stated in
their job description. The South Quad Residence Hall in 1982 had to deal
with exactly that. As described in The Michigan Daily article, "Sorry, Rover
must stay home," (10/24/1982) RAs had problems with students bringing ani-
mals to live in their close quarters - advisors actually confiscated a rabbit and a
tarantula during the academic school year. Excessive attention and whispers gave
away the secret pals.
One resident successfully got away with a 20-gallon aquarium with two tropical
fish. One of the fish, an 8-inch Oscar, actually ate live goldfish. The anonymous
resident cleverly placed the aquarium in a strategic way as to avoid prying stares
from passerby. Those who want to have a companion - either in their dorm or off-
campus housing - will have little to no luck, as most off-campus landlords forbid
critters. Sorry Rover, you're just not allowed.
by the numbers
COURTESY OF THE WASHINGTON POST
The millions of views The Huffington h The millions of views worldwide the Percent decrease in AOL revenue during
Post has each month. AOL-Huffington Post merger is expected the fourth quarter. The revenue dropped
to attract. to $516 million.