It’s always a busy time of year at the CSU Office of Admissions, always something going on, always a question to be answered or a phone call to be returned. Despite the busy days and heavy workloads, no one complains. In fact, after talking to Director Heather Daniels, it sounds like everyone reallyenjoys it.
The office processes applications throughout the year with deadlines in December, February, May, and June. For fall semester 2019 alone, the office received over 28,000 first-year applications, almost 4,100 from transfer and second-bachelor’s degree students, and just over 6,700 applications for graduate school.
In addition to the usual number of applications, on Oct. 15 – free app day for Colorado high school students – the university received 9,126 applications. It’s a lot to handle. Besides a team of 50 full-time employees, the o ce also employs students and hires extra help during the busiest times.
Despite the heavy load, Daniels said that the hardest part of the job for her is that there is not a way to truly personalize the application process for each individual as universities become more competitive in recruiting potential students. There are more and more options becoming available and as things change, so does the process of recruiting.
“We have to look at the process differently and individualize the process as much as possible for each and every person,” Daniels explained.
It takes a team
It truly takes a team of people to pull it all together and continuepromoting CSU to prospective Rams. With that, there are so many other jobs that Admissions handles besides just applications. The Recruitment Team handles territory managers and counselors that travel, read applications and work with students throughout the admissions process.An Events Team manages on- and off-campus events and the Student Ambassador Program. There are also teams to assist in processing and marketing, as well as an IT team that specifically manages student information systems and a team that deals with customer service.
The entire office takes pride in the bridge they provide between students and the university and the rewards from these jobs are many. Daniels explained how amazing it was to meet with potential students.
“It is so rewarding to review applications and make admissions decisions, help someone navigate the process, or discover what their passions might be,” she said. “The Office of Admissions serves as a connection between where someone is and where they are heading by continuing their education.”
