First of all, let me apologize for the distinct lack of photographic enhancement in this weeks posting. I simply failed at having my camera with me whenever anything noteworthy was going on.
Getting back from spring break was annoying at best. I actually felt as though I should work ahead last week instead of putting everything off until the last minute, so you know it was bad! In addition to schoolwork, I also had the exciting task of hosting a prospective student. That last sentence probably sounds sarcastic, but I assure you it isn’t. My prospective, Carolyn, stayed with me for two nights and almost three days through the Richmond Scholar Program. I’ve probably already mentioned this, but UR gives a full merit scholarship to one out of every fifteen incoming freshman. You don’t need to fill out any extra paperwork (you have enough forms to fill out already - haha), but you do have to submit your UR application by December 15th. After the applications have been read, semi-finalists are selected and asked to send in some additional work for the committee to evaluate. In March, students are brought to campus in order to get a better feel for the university and participate in an interview. That’s what Carolyn came for!
Picking Carolyn up in admissions, where my host had picked me up almost exactly a year ago, was very bizarre. I felt an overwhelming sensation of nostalgia watching the potential scholars line up to be photographed, pick up their schedules and wave goodbye to their parents. Even though many of them were just a year younger than me and some were my age, I felt so old compared to them. I found myself asking the three questions that every highschool senior hears over and over on college campuses: where are you from? where did you apply? what do you want to major in? The words would be half-way out of my mouth and even I’d get annoyed at having to hear them again. After I picked Carolyn up, we dropped her stuff off in my room. The university put a mattress in my dorm after break, and, after tripping over it for the past two days, I was glad that someone had finally arrived to use it! I took her to D-hall with my friend Alex and her prospective and, later that night, ate at the Pier before she went off to participate in one of many Q&A sessions. If you haven’t already visited UR, prepare to be inundated with information about it virtually from the time you arrive to the time you depart. The next day she had her interview, which she said went very well. The interview isn’t anything to worry about. There are six or so professors, but they’re all very casual and nice about the whole thing. It’s all about you - they’re far more interested in knowing about your interests, goals, and personality than in quizzing you about random facts or figures. Make sure to think of some good questions to ask them at the end of the session! Carolyn headed out on Thursday. Although it was a relief to no longer felt like I was constantly boring someone to death with my college habits, I was still sorry to see her go.
Housing selection started this week, so I’d like to go over how that works really quickly for those who are interested! At UR, housing for freshman is based on an in-depth roommate survey that asks about your likes, dislikes, bedtime, music tastes, partying habits, etc. Unless you know someone else who is a freshman and you select each other, the person you room with is chosen based on this form. Be completely honest! It might be best to fill out the form away from your parents to insure that all the answers you give accurately reflect your desires. For example, I don’t go to bed here until around 1:30, but my mother wanted me to indicate that I fall asleep at around 10pm since that was the rule at home. If I’d actually said that, I’d be matched with a roomie who went to sleep early and disturb them during my late-night homework sessions. The building that you’re placed in is also random, unless you are a female who chooses substance-free housing (in Lora Robins). For upperclassman, you can choose your room, building, and roommate…kindof. Well, the roommate is a sure thing - if you want to room together, you will. In terms of individual rooms, you select a number of rooms that you would like and receive a lottery number to determine your place in line for those rooms. You simply go on bannerweb within your time block - there’s one for singles, single-double suites, double-double suite, etc - and chose the rooms you want. Your roommate must approve these rooms, and then the two of you wait 24 hours to be notified about your selections. Tada!
Well, have a splendid weekend! April 1st is right around the corner — get excited :)
