In Episode 3 of our series on Admission Nutrients, Ethan is joined by Deanna Dixon, the Dean of Admission at Smith College, to dive into leadership and initiative. In their conversation, they get into:
- What are a few of the qualities Smith College looks for?
- How does their supplemental essay point to their institutional priorities and what they’re looking for in an applicant?
- Why are leadership and initiative important from Smith’s perspective?
- What does she think about ChatGPT?
- When it comes to equity and leveling the playing field, how does she believe the profession is doing?
- Advice for students and families going through this process
- And more!
Deanna Dixon has worked in college admission since 2006 and currently serves as Dean of Admission at Smith College. As a graduate of a women’s college, she has maintained a deep commitment to women's education and college attainment for marginalized students in general. A parent of a college senior, Deanna appreciates the dedication of college counselors and the shared partnership of matching students to the best school for them. Deanna has a bachelor’s degree from Smith College and a master’s degree in business administration from The Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis.
We hope you enjoy our conversation.
Play-by-Play:
- 2:09 – Welcome and introductions
- 2:37 – What are some roles that Deanna plays as Dean of Admission at Smith?
- 4:59 – What does life look like behind the scenes at Smith?
- 8:10 – What is yield and why is it important to colleges?
- 10:01 – What are some of the “positive character attributes” that Smith is looking for?
- 14:05 – Where do these attributes show up in an application?
- 17:07 – How does Smith’s supplemental essay point to their institutional priorities?
- 22:54 – Why are leadership and initiative important from Smith’s perspective?
- 24:30 – What are some interesting or unconventional examples of students taking initiative or leadership at the high school level?
- 27:46 – Where does leadership show up on campus at Smith?
- 31:06 – How have personal statement topics shifted over the years?
- 36:39 – What’s one of Deanna’s favorite essays she has read?
- 38:50 – What does Deanna think about ChatGPT?
- 44:13 – When it comes to equity and leveling the playing field, how does Deanna believe the profession is doing?
- 49:09 – Advice for students and families going through this process
- 51:45 – Closing thoughts
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