College Tips from the White House Crashers

January 22nd, 2010

The Salahis, a.k.a. the White House crashers, are in the news again. While I don’t like to bring any more attention to people whose 15 minutes of fame should never have started ticking in the first place, I do give advice to college-bound students. Make no mistake–that now-infamous couple has some tactics that you can use to get into college.

No, I’m not suggesting that you show up on the first day of classes and insist that you were invited—I mean, accepted. The Secret Service apparently has nothing on the college registrar or bursar, both of whom will expose you for a fraud pretty quickly once they realize that you’re not showing up on a) class rosters or b) tuition bills. But you can still channel some of that boldness which the Virginia power couple used—and avoid a federal subpoena at the same time. Consider these tips:

Dress nicely and show up at the admissions office. It’s always a good idea to make an appointment for a campus tour, but unlike the White House, admissions offices are usually prepared to assist you if you weren’t “on the list.” So if the mood strikes you and you feel like walking and talking, remember to smile and say please and thank you when they squeeze you in for a tour.

Shake hands with important people. It’s old-school etiquette, but it never goes out of style. Shake hands with everyone you are introduced to, especially the admissions staff. Have a firm grasp and make eye contact. Again, smile. Pretend you are a guest on “The Tonight Show” and say, “It’s great to be here.”

Drop names of people you know on campus. Wave a copy of an email from them, if necessary. Whether you are friends with a student who has raved about the school or there’s an admissions office staffer with whom you have spoken on the phone, use the name in conversation. It will show that you really want to be there for that campus tour or admissions interview and you are acknowledging the people who encouraged you to get there. If it sounds cheesy, it’s not—it’s just one of the many ways you can show the admissions staff how much you want to go to that school, without having to resort to camping out on the quad.

Plead the 5^th. After you’ve sent in your application, let it go. You’ve checked off everything on your to-do list as far as your essay, recommendation letters, transcripts, extracurriculars, etc. Now it’s time to let your accomplishments speak for themselves. Get back to your regularly scheduled life and try not to let the long weeks of waiting get to you. If it helps, take a page from the Salahis and don’t talk about it. Remember, there were lots of other things you talked about before college apps entered your life, so it shouldn’t be too hard to avoid the subject—and stress.

–Barbara Bellesi

Entry Filed under: Advice,College Admissions,Just for Fun,News