Saint Mary's students endorse admissions applications
By AMY GREENE
News Writer
Students now have the opportunity to endorse candidates for admission at Saint Mary's as a result of the newly-enacted student endorsed application process.
The admissions department decided to launch a student endorsed application program this past December. The program, which allows students to pass on the application to a potential Saint Mary's applicant, was inspired by the alumnae endorsed application program.
"Both the alumnae and student endorsed applications were launched at Christmas time to parallel the gift-giving season," said Nolan. "As we did five years ago with our alumnae, we wanted to give our current students the opportunity to share a gift with a student who may be a good match for Saint Mary's by waiving the application fee," she said.
Saint Mary's enrolled 52 alumnae endorsed students in 1996, the first year the alumnae endorsed applications were distributed. Nolan estimates that Saint Mary's might enroll 15 student endorsed applicants for the first year of the student endorsed application program.
"To date we have received nine student endorsed applications. I suspect that in the next few weeks that that number will grow," Nolan said.
She also expects that number to increase in the future.
"This year, for example, over 41 percent of entering first year students were endorsed by an alumnae ... It definitely speaks well of the Saint Mary's experience," she said.
In late summer or early next fall, new application forms specifically designed as student endorsed applications will be made available. Several Saint Mary's students have decided to utilize the student endorsed application program. Sophomore Liz Bailey is the second woman in her family to attend Saint Mary's College, and her application was used to keep the tradition in the family.
"I gave my application to my sister to apply to the College. Maybe she will decide to continue our family tradition at Saint Mary's," said Bailey.
Allyson Palombaro, also a sophomore, believes the program is beneficial.
"The student endorsed applications are a great idea to get current students involved in the College," said Palombaro.
"More prospective students who would be a good match for the college will most likely apply to Saint Mary's," she said.
The number of applicants to Saint Mary's has steadily increased over the years. Nolan believes that with both the alumnae and student endorsed application programs the numbers will continue to grow.
"We believe that our current students will rise to the occasion, like our alumnae have, and will help us to continue to increase the number of applications for this class, (the class of 2005), and those to follow in future years," said Nolan.
All News Stories for Thursday, January 18, 2001
