EA Reception

Considering the city is only 90 miles to our west, it's no surprise that a good number of applications and admitted students come from the Chicago area. To try to reach as many students as possible, the ND Clubs of Chicago, DuPage County and Lake County have coordinated their Early Action admitted students receptions, all to be held on a single weekend in January. The invitation is at the bottom of the post.

This might be a good idea for clubs that would like to do something, but are struggling with what to do or how to pay for it. If you are in an area where there are a multiple clubs, consider throwing a joint reception for any admitted students. In the end, our main concern is reaching out to the students and doing our best to get them to Notre Dame, not club boundaries.

Thanks to everyone for their help--please keep the ideas and best practices coming!

The Chicago-area invitation:

Early Action Party

For you and your family to meet ND students & parents

Sunday ~ January 10

11:00 am ~ 1:00 pm

St. Ignatius College Prep

Please RSVP ~ www.ndchicago.org

Questions? Sheila O’Brien sobrien368@aol.com

(FYI ~ Sunday Mass at Holy Family next door at 9:45 am)

If you cannot attend this party, attend another!

Du Page County party

Saturday ~ January 9

2:00 ~ 4:00 pm

Benet Academy Cafeteria

2200 Maple Avenue

Lisle, Illinois 60532

Rsvp - dcrowley@hsemuni.com

Lake County Party

Saturday ~ January 9

4:00 ~ 6:00 pm

Home of Chris & Andy Burke

23671 N. McGraw Court

Lake Barrington, Illinois 60010

Rsvp – twistagogo@aol.com

Lake County, IL send off

It might be too late to plan this year's send-off, but here's a recap of the Lake County, IL send-off for future ideas and planning. This example really illustrates the important of contact--constant contact--with the students and their families. Thanks to everyone involved who made the event a success!

I just wanted to let you know how our Send-Off went on Sunday. I think it was a really good event, considering that it started POURING rain 10 minutes before the party (and everything was set up to be an outdoor party!) So the first few people who came were gracious enough to grab what they could and bring it inside.

We had 21 incoming freshmen, about 35 parents, 5 current students, a few current-student parents, and about 7 alums. So about 75 in total. (Now you know why I wanted this to be outside.)

We have had a good turn-out for the past 2 or 3 years, which I attribute to contacting the kids multiple times throughout the summer. In June we mailed out a "save-the-date" notice to all of the incoming freshmen, with a short letter explaining what the Freshman Send-Off is all about. We also mention that there is a drawing for 2 football tickets for every student present, and we tell them that every student at the Send-Off will get "The Shirt." Then we mail out invitations in July, about 3 weeks before the event. Then I e-mail every student who I haven't heard from the week before the event, just to find out if they can come or not, and to remind them that their parents are also welcome to attend. I think that receiving two hard-copy notices in the mail really helps to remind the students, and then a follow-up e-mail is good just in case there are some kids who might have forgotten about it or lost the invitation. I know that contacting the kids several times like this is probably not feasible for larger Clubs like the Chicago Club, but for Clubs with 25 or fewer incoming freshmen, I think it really helps to increase the turn-out.

Houston send-off

From John McMannis of the Notre Dame Club of Houston:

The Official Send-Off is a mass and then get together. Last year, we had a separate mass on a Sunday afternoon specifically for the students. So it was smaller, more intimate and definitely dedicated to the students. This year we had it at the Co-Cathedral as part of their regular Sunday mass. There was a blessing for the students but not as personal. The get together is then immediately after mass where we have a meal and then break into groups. The Parents of the students meet with older alumni and other parents, and the students meet with other students. Both parents and students seem to enjoy this.

We also have a separate get together (dinner) for the incoming class and the Class before them. So this year, the Classes of 2012 and 2013 are going to go to Dave and Buster’s for their “Eat and Play” deal. Last year they went to Kemah (on the Gulf with a boardwalk and rides. All of the students really like this get together without parental oversight.

In addition, we invite the incoming class to our various service project that we have over the summer. There are a few that participate.

Another send-off idea

Looking for an idea for your student/freshman send-off this fall? Here's another (which works especially well for smaller clubs) from Jim Mulvaney of the ND Club of Eastern Illinois:

The Notre Dame Club of Eastern Illinois will have its Student Send Off on Friday, August 7th. The event is at the Danville Stadium. There is a Summer Collegiate Baseball Prospect League game between the Danville Dans and the DuBois County, Indiana. The Prospect League is sanctioned by the NCAA. Teams use wood bats.

The four first year students will be given "The Shirt - 2009" as a gift from the Club and will throw out the first pitch. There is a Terrace behind home plate for the students to sit during the game and all will be recognized on the score board. The Terrace seating will allow the students to get to know each other during the game.

Tickets for the game and food and beverages will be provided for the students, their family and friends.

The night will be a good night for the new and returning students.

Chicago's Early Action Admit Reception

Sheila O'Brien, the Chicago ASC, asked me to post the following on the blog. All ASCs are invited as well! Thanks, Sheila!

Merry Christmas to all!

Please join your Chicago committee...

Welcome to the Notre Dame Family!

Please come and meet…

Alisa Fisher ND Admissions Counselor

Early Action Party

for

You & Your Family

Sunday, January 25

2:00 – 4:00 pm

St. Ignatius College Prep

1076 West Roosevelt Road Chicago

Let us know!

Sheila O’Brien 847.729.0116 sobrien368@aol.com

A call for ideas

If you're reading this blog, you're probably one of the more active ASCs out there--thank you! Do you have any good ideas to share with other ASCs? Perhaps some best practices for your contact with admitted students, your club's reception(s) for admitted students, ideas for college fairs, or how you help with info. nights?

I am trying to put together a database of ideas and best practices, so please send anything and everything my way!

Thanks!

Admitted Students Reception: DC Club

A few weeks ago, the Washington, DC Club held their admitted students reception. After the very successful event, Ann Rimkus, the Club's ASC, sent our office an e-mail with some of the event's details.

Feel free to read over Ann's e-mail and then contact her if you have any questions or comments.

Also, if you would like to share your club's ideas and events with other ASCs, please e-mail me your comments and I'll post them on this blog!

DC Admitted Student Reception
E-mail Ann: ARimkus@aarp.org