Monday, February 15, 2016

Visiting colleges on Presidents Day

Phew. What a whirlwind day of meeting with recruits ... pretty typical of a federal holiday on a Monday like Presidents Day. I've been on this end of the recruiting trail for 25 years, and these days are always busy. Today's big college visit day had an unusual feel for me, though, as my heart was also about 200 miles away, where our oldest son Joey was taking his first tour and information session as he begins the college search process as a high school junior. He has done a great job of deciphering all the mail he has received and in putting together a well-thought-out list of colleges to consider and eventually to submit applications.

I'm mildly surprised at the good-natured backlash we have received from well-meaning folks who just assumed Joey would go to Marist; he could very well end up here, and we would be thrilled and proud of that choice. But! Mostly, we want him to go through the process, one he has most assuredly earned through his hard work and effort -- which have garnered him excellent grades -- during his school years, and we would like him to choose the college or university that best fits his needs. It's nice to have Marist as a wonderfully convenient option, for sure, but it should not be a simple default setting.

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