As Max Zoberman, a Regular Decision applicant to Emory College from Delray Beach, Fla. rushed to leave work on March 27, he paused as he received an email on his phone alerting him that his admission decision was available.
Not wanting to know the verdict before getting behind the wheel, Zoberman waited until he could safely view the decision at home on his laptop.
Once he logged into his online OPUS, he needed to read no further than “It gives me great pleasure…” to know he had been accepted to Emory College.
“I felt an overwhelming sense of catharsis, this profound calm,” Zoberman said. “…I finally knew where I was going to spend the next four years of my life.”
Zoberman then had access to a newly developed admitted students website in addition to receiving a newly created admit packet in the mail a few days later – two new strategies that the Emory Office of Admission implemented this year to welcome and attract admitted students.
As soon as applicants viewed their acceptance letters on OPUS, they were directed to the new admitted students website, which featured a “Welcome to #Emory2017” video. Accepted students could also find answers to frequently asked questions, contact current students and plan a visit to campus on the website, according to Office of Admission Director of Communications Daniel Creasy.
Additionally, the Office of Admission continued to use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other forms of social media to allow admitted students to connect with each other.
Early admitted students received a care package for the first time in March with an 18 inch cardboard Dooley, which they could take a picture with and post on the Emory Class of 2017 Facebook group in order to garner enthusiasm on social media.
The admit packet arrived in a blue and yellow envelope with an aerial photo of campus, a picture of Dooley and the words “You’re in! 2017!” printed on it.
The packet included a copy of the student’s acceptance letter, a window sticker, information about open houses for admitted students and Atlanta attractions as well as other brochures, Zoberman said.
He added that the information he has received since being accepted to Emory strongly influenced his decision to enroll.
“I’ve received a lot of material that has appeared to be aimed at familiarizing me as best as possible with the feeling of the school,” he said. “The welcome materials have given me a pretty clear picture of the school’s strong sense of traditions and allowed me to paint a mental picture of what a life for me at Emory might look like.”
Creasy said that because early admitted students tend to be the most excited about their acceptance, their enthusiasm on social media can help attract regular decision students who haven’t yet made up their minds about their college decision.
In addition to these strategies, the Office of Admission also planned three admitted student open houses in April. During their visits, admitted students have the chance to speak with current students and receive Emory paraphernalia.
“We want our admitted students to plan a visit, spend a day on-campus, see the real Emory, and then make a comprehensive decision about whether Emory is the right fit for them,” Creasy said. “If in the end a student turns us down, I am fine with that. I just want them to give us a chance, and through these initiatives I feel we are making it clear we want them.”
– By Elizabeth Howell
The Emory Wheel was founded in 1919 and is currently the only independent, student-run newspaper of Emory University. The Wheel publishes weekly on Wednesdays during the academic year, except during University holidays and scheduled publication intermissions.
The Wheel is financially and editorially independent from the University. All of its content is generated by the Wheel’s more than 100 student staff members and contributing writers, and its printing costs are covered by profits from self-generated advertising sales.
There was also a yield campaign which asked alumni to e-mail admitted students from their area.
I e-mailed students and told them not to choose Emory. I said that they could go to the Emory Wheel website if they wanted to see what a mess the school has become.
I mean, really? Sure, Emory has had it’s problems, but as an alumni who was most likely contacted by the university to email students, you should have declined if you couldn’t recommend Emory. I don’t care if you’re angry or whatnot, that’s just sickeningly unprofessional.
hahahaha-Emory students, your tuition dollars at work
Emory sends congratulations emails to applicants that they didn’t admit. Another example of the great work that Emory’s administration does.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/emory-university/1487297-help-got-weird-email.html
This appears to be a huge error. Where is Wheel coverage? AJC apparently running a story shortly, it will go national.
Seems kind of funny that they made this error after the admissions data scandal was released earlier this year. Not that it’s the same thing, but you would think after that scandal like that, a well run organization would tell the employees in the admissions office to stop jacking off all day, if they wanted to keep their jobs.
Wonder if those not admitted got a Dooley cutout? What a joke. Think Harvard and Princeton are doing this?
The cynicism in these comments is so thick, you could cut it with a knife. What’s wrong with a cutout Dooley? Step out of your jaded little box and pretend you’re a high school student that’s actually EXCITED to go to college.
Emory sent congratulations emails to students that didn’t get accepted. Those students may have been excited for a while, but not after they found out that they didn’t get accepted and the admissions office just screwed up. That was a really shitty thing for the admissions office to do. Those students should share their stories with the national media. Emory hires the most incompetent people for administrative positions and their screw ups are ruining the quality and reputation of the school. It’s not just Wagner. He can’t control everything. There is a culture in the administration that accepts incompetence. Working for Emory is the easiest job ever!
Just because Emory is having some problems does not mean the school itself is no longer worth it for incoming students. As alumni it is our responsiblity to act as representatives of our school and continue to support the mission, faculty, and students as well as possible. I understand that you are frustrated. I am too. But we loved the school once and need to support it so that other people will have the same opportunity.