Dance Baby, the Magic of the Indian Raindance

It’s essay time for college applicants everywhere. Scott Meiklejohn—Bowdoin’s Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid—has some worthwhile advice for students, whether they are working on some finishing touches or just beginning to write.

I looked out my window one day this week as I was finishing a phone call. An out-of-state car pulled into our admissions parking lot, and out popped a mother and son. They stretched, maybe shaking off the drive. They came together at the back of the car, the son pulling on his sport coat. Here for an interview, I thought. His mother brushed her hands a few times over his shoulders, down the sleeves, tugging on the lapels—acts of care and support. Doing a bit of lip-reading from the second floor of Burton-Little, I was pretty sure she said, “Have fun.” Good message. He gave his mom a peck on the cheek and headed toward our front door.

It’s early November, so wonderful scenes like that will be less frequent for a while, as we get closer to our application deadlines. Early Decision I is coming up on November 15, with our regular and ED II deadlines about six weeks later.

For many high school seniors, the visits to campus, interviews, college fairs, and other elements of the deciding and applying process are largely over. Students are focusing on their fall coursework, their applications, and of course, their essays.

Most of what our applicants will submit as part of the application process is now either already done or not theirs to do. Academic records over three-plus years of high school are unchangeable and already baked (hopefully not “completely baked” as Benjamin Braddock said in The Graduate); teacher recommendations are out of their control; guidance counselor comments will not be subject to their review; and all of the interesting artistic, athletic, church, service, employment, and summer activities that we learn about in the application are pretty much in the rearview mirror at this point. Only the essays remain,...