inside Hofstra Admission

The Debate X-Factor: Hofstra's Got It

2012-01-23T15:28:00.000-05:00

Hofstra University was mentioned in a New York Times article about the colleges hosting the 2012 Presidential Debate.

The article had some great information about the numbers during the 2008 Presidential Debate between Barack Obama and John McCain.

$3.5 million: Approximate cost to Hofstra University
300: Approximate number of tickets given to university, all distributed to students.
6,911: Number of students who entered the ticket lottery. Only registered voters were eligible to enter.
500: Percentage increase in print, Web and broadcast mentions of Hofstra.

Wow those are some impressive numbers! I wonder what 2012 will entail...

Largest Noncommercial Sound Stage

2012-01-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

Quick fact: Dempster Hall is home to the largest noncommercial sound stage east of New York City.

Travels with Lefty

2012-01-10T09:19:00.006-05:00

Question: “So, how’d you break your arm?”

Answers: “Hang gliding in Manhattan.” “Running of the bulls in Pamplona.” “Arm wrestling the New York Jets defensive line.” “I’m Tom Cruise’s stunt double in the new Mission Impossible.”

Those are lies. Actually, I just slipped and fell down some stairs, but all of those answers just sounded better, especially since I was in a new country every day and the “stairs” story just got boring after a while. So how do you spend a month visiting students all over the world with a broken arm in a giant metal sling?

1. I learned to eat soup with my other hand. I’m right handed and you would be amazed how hard it is to balance a heaping spoonful of lava-hot soup with your non-dominant hand. In Colombia, we were treated to Ajiaco- a national (and personal) favorite with huge chunks of chicken, potato and corn. Challenge accepted.

2. I tied my shoes before putting them on. It was hard enough learning to tie my shoes when I was in Elementary school. Re-learning how to tie them using one hand was an interesting experience. Luckily, they don’t make you take your shoes off going through airport security in most places anymore.

3. I tried to sit on the right side of airplanes. There is nothing worse in the world than getting hit in the broken arm with a beverage cart. A flight attendant accidently hit my arm while I was sleeping on one flight. Forgetting I was on a plane, I screamed in pain and woke up. Thinking I was yelling at her, she ran over and said, “Coffee or tea, sir?” I apologized.

4. And finally, I took taxis everywhere. Throughout most of the rest of the world, cars come with a standard, manual transmission. The idea of driving stick with a broken arm on the opposite side of the road on narrow, mountainous streets was not a good one. As an added bonus, you can sleep in the car and, again, not have to worry about getting hit with a runaway beverage cart.

All in all, I visited 3 continents over 4 weeks stopping in 15 countries by way of 26 different flights. I met hundreds of students, who had great questions about Hofstra- and of course how I broke my arm. Traveling around Africa, I answered “I’m a lion tamer.” One student asked me, “Are you sure you didn’t just fall down the stairs?”

January Transfer Days

2012-01-03T11:55:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year! After getting back from the holiday break, our batteries are recharged and we are ready to go.

To kick things off, the Hofstra Admission Office is hosting Transfer Day events throughout the month of January. If you are looking to transfer into Hofstra University for the Spring 2012 semester, I would highly recommend attending. You can complete the transfer application process in a matter of hours.

Here is a list of things you can do during a Transfer Day at Hofstra University.

Please remember to bring your transcripts from previously attended colleges or instituions.

Transfer Day dates for January:

1/5 Thursday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
1/11 Wednesday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
1/13 Friday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
1/17 Tuesday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
1/20 Friday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
1/23 Monday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
1/24 Tuesday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

RSVP for a January Transfer Day, a move in the right direction.

Admission Holiday Cookbook

2011-12-22T14:51:00.000-05:00

I bet you didn't know that our admission counselors love to cook! We put together a holiday cookbook, featuring an array of dishes and drinks that will accomodate any occasion!

Download the Admission Holiday Cookbook!

More Than A Test Score

2011-12-20T13:41:00.002-05:00

Many feel that the college admission process is cold and calculating. They assume that Admission counselors look at you as if you're just made up of test scores and your G.P.A.

But at Hofstra University, we look beyond those things. While they are important, they are not everything. We know you are more than a test score. You have a personality, with goals and ambitions. Just because those aspects are not measured out of 2400 or on a 4.0 scale, doesn't mean they don't matter.

When you received an acceptance letter, you may have noticed a sticky note attached to the first year admittance packet. That note was handwritten by your admission counselor. It's usually about a unique part of your application.

Check out some of the notes shared by accepted students on Twitter.

Giving Back During the Holiday Season....

2011-12-12T14:53:00.005-05:00

Recently I had an experience that I thought I would share with all of our Hofstra community....

A few weeks ago I was travelling in New York City, spending my day visiting various High Schools and speaking to many great potential Hofstra students. I went to four high schools and a college fair as well, in an effort to inform students of the endless opportunities that Hofstra has to offer.

Along the way I took the Long Island Railroad, 2 subways and 3 cab rides...(and a partridge in a pear treeeee ;) On my way home I exited a cab right outside of the Long IslandRailroad entrance ( I believe 7th avenue) and knew I had actually made it in time to make an earlier train than anticipated. I quickly took out my wallet, paid the driver via credit card and

dashed out of the cab, destined to make the train with 3 minutes to spare, to avoid waiting for the next trainNeedless to say I made the train as I ran through Penn Station ( I am quite fastfor someone who was carrying 3 bags full of Hofstra information :)

Beep boop....the doors close and I am comfortably on the train, on my way home....And then I reached toward my pocket for my wallet....and my face most likely turned a white/green/red (Christmas!) combination, with both nausea and fear and some anger....No wallet was to be found

Instinctively I started freaking out as I didn't care about the 40 or 50 dollars inside but all of the credit cards, personal information among other things that were inside my wallet. I get home and turn on my computer and check my Hofstra mail, in an effort to distract my mind from the issues at hand..AND THERE IT WAS...an email from a man we'll call "Santa" , stating he found my wallet (not in the cab, as I had thought) but on 7th Avenue, on the sidewalk, and had returned it to the lost and found in Penn Station

Not only when I returned to retrieve it was NOTHING missing,(cash, everything!) but my Hofstra business card inside was what allowed him to contact me... It was great to know that there are people out there who truly care and who are truly helpful and so give back this Holiday season, whether it be a card, in a gift, donation, a kind word..................

....or my wallet.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Did You Apply Early Action I? Read This!

2011-12-09T10:20:00.001-05:00

T'was the night before the Early Action I mailing
And throughout Bernon Hall
All the admission counselors were stirring
Not even thinking about Roosevelt Field Mall

The letters were printed
Piled ceiling high, on a chair
Each with a personalized message
Because at Hofstra, we really, truly do care

The applicants were sleeping
All warm in their beds
While visions of acceptance letters
Danced in their heads

We stuffed all the letters
Sealed each one shut with a kiss
More than three thousand
Not a one did we miss

Off to Boston and Dallas
To name just a few
And even Hawaii
But not Timbuktu

As the mail truck departed
The admission counselors all sang a cheer
Happy holidays to all
And come to Hofstra next year!

Hey...I Recognize That Face!

2011-12-05T16:58:00.003-05:00

Throughout the school year, each of us here in the admission office is responsible for reading all applications that come from the states in which we travel. During the Fall semester, this might mean that some admission counselors are reading several thousand applications! With so many essays, letters of recommendation and other parts of the application to look through, you might wonder what makes one student in particular stand out.

For me, a student really stands out when I can see them going the extra mile to let me know how much they want to attend Hofstra. Very often, this takes the form of a great essay, ecstatic phone call or energetic e-mail about how they've always dreamed of going to Hofstra.

However, the best way to separate yourself from other applicants is t come visit the campus and make a point of meeting the person who will be reading your application.

This may seem like just another plug for getting students to visit the University, but it is by far the best way to help us put a face to a name. When I am able to recall you from meeting you at a college fair, campus visit or other event, it lets me see that not only do you want to come to the school, but that you want everyone else to know it as well! With Hofstra expecting more than 22,000 applicants this year, that simple fact can go a long way.

This year, when you are applying to college and universities across the country, know that personalizing your application can make a big difference. Enjoy the holidays everyone!

Inspired by students' essays

2011-12-03T14:51:00.003-05:00

As I read essays from this year's high school seniors, aspiring to gain admission to Hofstra's Class of 2016, I am quite inspired by the wisdom these students have gained already in their young lives (most have not reached the ripe age of 18 as of yet). I am reading essays that show a sophistication and maturity beyond their years. These young people have experienced many of life's blessings and some serious challenges, and come through trials, tribulations and rites of passage so much stronger and ready to lead.

Each day, I read an essay and am compelled to post something from what I have learned from my students on my personal Facebook. Thank you students for allowing me to plagiarize some of what you've written..and thank you for inspiring me! :)

Here's what I have learned so far from the class this year (early as it is, much more to come):

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
"Start where you are, use what you have and do what you can".

"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live" (I learned that this is from Harry Potter, but a student connected the quote to her philosophy of life).

Can't wait to see what I can learn from my next batch of applications! Putting the reading glasses on and delving in to many more.

Earn a B.A. and a Law Degree in Six Years

2011-11-30T10:30:00.007-05:00

Hofstra University offers a unique program where students can earn a B.A. and a J.D in six years. The program is called the Legal Education Acceleration Program (LEAP). Two students working in the Admission office, Stephanie Kahn and Eric Maratta, shared their experience with LEAP, offering helpful advice to determine if LEAP is right for you.

How would you explain LEAP to a prospective student?

Eric: LEAP is a program offered by Hofstra to make the process of going to law school a little quicker for those interested in law school. Basically, LEAP students will spend on 3 years in undergrad, and go to their first year of law school at Hofstra instead of having a 4th year of undergrad. Simply put, it is 3 years of undergrad and 3 years of law school. You won't need as many credits as the typical student, but your distribution and major requirements must be completed, as well as maintaining a good GPA.

Stephanie: Exactly, it's 3 years of undergraduate work towards your Bachelors degree and then in what would be you senior year of college is your first year of law school.

What made you want to join LEAP?

Eric: The reason I chose to join LEAP is I would be able to apply for law school quicker than I would regularly.

Stephanie: I wanted to join LEAP because financially one less year of schooling, 3 years undergrad + 3 years law school was easier on my family financially rather then an extra year in undergrad. Also I thought it would be great to reach my dream of being a lawyer in one year earlier if I could.

What has been the best part of LEAP so far?

Eric: The fact I am able to complete my degree in less time and needing slightly less credits to do so.

Stephanie: Being able to get into my major very quickly into college and meeting fellow LEAP program students who have similar interests as myself.

Any advice for incoming students looking to join?

Eric: The only advice I would recommend to students looking to join LEAP is to be prepared to work hard to complete their degree early and maintain their GPA. Additionally, I highly recommend being certain of what they would like to major in.

Stephanie: The advice I would give is if you join just work hard but enjoy college and get involved in many extracurriculars because college and school after that is about how well rounded a person you are.

Thank you Stephanie and Eric. If you have any more questions about LEAP, leave us a comment or go to the LEAP FAQ page for information.

Fall Open House Program: Sneak Peak

2011-11-14T15:09:00.004-05:00

Our second Fall Open House is this Saturday, 11/19. It's important to take advantage of open house events, because it's a chance to really explore everything Hofstra has to offer, in the span of a few hours.

Here's a sneak peak of the program for Saturday's Open House.

Open publication - Free publishing

An Exciting Time To Look at Hofstra...

2011-11-08T17:50:00.004-05:00

After 13 years of admissions and recruitment experience traveling in the Southeast, the West Coast and the entire state of New York, I remained close to home this year and learned about the many wonderful, diverse and talented students attending the various high schools in Nassau County (on Long Island).

I have really enjoyed the relationships I've begun to build with students who live so close that I can potentially run into them in the local community, visit them at their place of employment(accidentally or on purpose) in local retail stores and shops in the area, and also see them multiple times at their schools and at our various on-campus events. Long Island is a beautiful place and many of the students who live in the area don't always realize the high-quality education they have so close to home in such a suburban area with access to NYC and a great deal of amenities.

Having traveled away from the New York metropolitan area for most fall recruitment seasons, I find myself awed by the beautiful foliage and the picturesque fall days that are often depicted on college viewbooks.

A walk on our campus is as beautiful as those brochures will show, and I hope that our current students, busy as they may be with midterms and activities are not too busy to notice the changing colors of fall.

As the weather grows cooler and the days get shorter, we are getting ready to review applications over the coming days... applicants for Early Action I are the first group to go through the review process and these students will be setting the bar for the rest of the applicant pool.

Hofstra is experiencing the most exciting time in history, with a new medical school open this fall, another Presidential debate on the horizon (fall 2012) and a School of Engineering and Applied Science to be established. As an alumna of this great university, the incoming Class of 2016 has so much to look forward to and we cannot wait to begin offering admission... I'd better get my reading glasses ready.

Hello from the Road (or Airport)

2011-10-28T11:30:00.009-04:00

For those of you who don't know, the job of a college admissions counselor is certainly an exciting one. Every Fall we travel from city to city around the country (and world) talking to high school students, families, counselors, and the occasional curious onlooker about all of the thrilling opportunities available at Hofstra University. Some of us travel only a short distance from campus and others travel very far away (Africa and Asia are among the places we travel!). Some of us travel by car and plane, while others even travel by subway and boat. We spend our days in rental cars and high schools and our nights and weekends standing behind a meticulously prepared table at college fairs. We see some amazing sights along the way (so far my favorites are the Texas Capitol building and the Pink skyscraper in Miami), but by far the most exciting things during travel season are the conversations we have with students learning about Hofstra University, whether for the first time or the fifty-first time!

One conversation in particular stands out in my mind from this travel season. I can't remember the day or even the city I was in, but this 5 minute conversation with a prospective student and her mother really struck me. The conversation started out like most with the familiar questions of, "What programs does Hofstra have?" and "How big is Hofstra?" But it was when I got to talking about where Hofstra is located and answering questions about our School of Communications, that her and her mother started to tear up. I was confused at first. Did I say something wrong? What did I do? But they must have noticed my confusion because they immediately started to explain themselves. Hofstra had been everything they were looking for. She wanted everything a big city had to offer, but not to live in the city. (25 miles from NYC anyone!?) She wanted a beautiful campus with great student life. (Check!) And most of all she wanted a strong Broadcast Journalism program. (Got it!) These hadn't been sad tears, but happy ones! Finding the right 'fit' for this student had been a hard task and having me there at that moment talking about a school that could be the right place for her hit them all at once. They had finally found it!

Finding the right 'fit' for a student doesn't always happen the way it did for this student. Often times it happens behind computer screens, in conversations with family members, or on trips to visit various college campuses. However, having the opportunity to help this student and many others find the right colleges (hopefully Hofstra!) for them makes the trains, hotel rooms, rental cars, and weekends away from home, not just worth it, but well worth it and exciting too!

Important Deadlines and Events

2011-10-13T11:00:00.005-04:00

Please make a note of these important deadlines and events for Hofstra admission.

ADMISSION DEADLINES

Early Action I: November 15 (notification begins December 15)
Early Action II: December 15 (notification begins January 15)
Regular Decision: Rolling basis (notification begins February 1st and rolling thereafter)

EVENTS (please RSVP if you are attending)

October 23: Fall Open House - RSVP
November 8: Dean's Day - RSVP
November 11: Dean's Day - RSVP
November 19: Fall Open House II - RSVP

On The Road

2011-10-06T11:57:00.012-04:00

Most of our counselors are currently on the road, visiting high schools and community colleges across the nation and around the world.

We have recruited students from all 50 states (we were at 49 for so long, but we finally had a student enroll from South Dakota!) and over 70 countries. Our counselors are well traveled and always return with great stories and experiences. In the coming weeks, some of our counselors will blog about their stories and experiences.

Meanwhile, back on campus, the Admissions office is preparing for its Fall events, aimed at the incoming high school class and transfer students. To get a full list of events, please visit our events page.

Hofstra University Will Be Coming To A High School Near You!

2011-08-31T16:49:00.003-04:00

Greetings from Hofstra Admission! As our new students get ready to move to campus tomorrow, we here in the admission office are preparing to once again go out on the road to travel around the country and the world. For the next few months, we will be on the road speaking to the new group of high school students interested in attending Hofstra. During our travels, Hofstra admission counselors will be in all different areas of the country, including New York, Florida, California, Texas, Connecticut and many other states. If you would like to see who your Hofstra admission counselor is, you can simply visit http://hofstra.edu/admission/adm_contact.html. On this web page, you will be able to see who is responsible for recruiting in your area, as well as find information to reach out to some of our current students. Additionally, you can be kept aware of events we'll be having throughout the Fall 2011 semester, and can even sign up for a visit to the campus. Good luck as you begin the new school year, and we hope to see you during a visit this year!

Sophomore Preview Day

2011-05-13T13:29:00.000-04:00

Are you a Sophomore in High School? Do you think its too early to start looking at colleges? Well its not! You are probably thinking that the college search process is something to do in the distant future, but now is the time to begin gathering information. The entire process can be very stressful and overwhelming, but by starting early, the process can actually be exciting and enjoyable! Hofstra will be having a Sophomore Preview Day, on Sunday, June 5, 2011. This is a great opportunity to start learning about what Hofstra has to offer, meet current students, learn how to build your college list, and speak with your admission counselor. To register for this event, please visit www.hofstra.edu/admissionevent or call 1-800-HOFSTRA. We hope to see you on June 5th!

Welcome Class of 2015

2011-05-04T19:51:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to the Class of 2015! I am happy to welcome you to campus for orientation and this fall! Hofstra is an amazing campus and you will definitely find your pride and shine. My advice for all of you this summer is to relax and rejuvenate! Also congratulate yourself, graduating from high school is a huge accomplishment! Be sure to celebrate you and all you have done! Enjoy the summer of 2011 and get ready for an awesome freshman year at Hofstra University this fall!

May 1st is right around the corner.........

2011-04-20T08:07:00.002-04:00

Have you made your final decision on where you will be attending college for Fall 2011? May 1st is the National Candidate Reply Date, where you need to tell the schools that you have been accepted to whether you will or will not be attending. If you are have not decided, and have questions about being a Hofstra student, please call, e-mail, or even find your admission counselor on facebook! This is a very stressful, yet exciting time, and we are all here to help make your college selection process a lot easier for you! To find more information on how to contact your Hofstra admission counselor, please visit http://www.hofstra.edu/flash/adm_counselor_map.swf.

Hofstra's Events

2011-04-09T16:41:00.003-04:00

Hofstra University has been very busy these past few weeks hosting multiple Admitted Students' Day and reception events. Welcoming the class of 2015 has been amazing and the class as a whole is very impressive. I have very much enjoyed meeting and congratulating all the new incoming students. Being apart of the pride guide team and working all these events has been a blast and I am looking forward to the last few events and receptions in the next few weeks. This Wednesday and Thursday I will be in Burlington, Massachusetts at an admitted students' day reception and another reception for juniors

in high school.

In like a lion, out like a lamb

2011-03-28T17:56:00.002-04:00

March has come in like a lion, and will soon go out like a lamb bring lots of new flowers and greenery to Hofstra University. Hofstra is one of only 430 Arboreta, which is home to roughly 10,000 trees and plant life. For me, this is my favorite time of year on campus. The many different trees, different colors on campus makes Hofstra University a place like none other. This is the perfect time to visit Hofstra University. No matter if you are a senior who has already been accepted to Hofstra University by attending one of our many Admitted Student Days or if you are a junior who is looking to get a jump start on your college search. We will be hosting an Open House for juniors on April 10, 2011. I look forward seeing you on campus to visit not only Hofstra University’s amazing academic and social programs, but also our amazing campus scenery and the sights and sounds of Hofstra University.

Boston Reception

2011-03-09T09:09:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to the Class of 2015! If you are from the New England area, I hope that you will be able to join us for an Admitted Student Reception on Wednesday, April 13th at 7pm. This event will be held at the Burlington Marriott, in Burlington, MA. The reception is a great opportunity for you to speak with current Hofstra students and fellow members of the Class of 2015. We encourage you to bring your family as well. We look forward to seeing you there! To RSVP for this event, please visit www.hofstra.edu/ASD or call 1.800.HOFSTRA.

Hofstra Comes to California in March!

2011-02-16T17:56:00.002-05:00

Are you from California? Are you a student who has been admitted to Hofstra? If so, please plan to join us at one of our three admitted student receptions that we are hosting in your "sunny" state out on "your" coast. Our receptions are designed to be fun, casual and informative. I will be traveling with a current Hofstra student who will be able to answer all of your questions and provide you with great information about what it's like to be a West Coast student studying in New York. Parents are encouraged to join us too, but it's fine to come by yourself if you prefer.

Receptions will be held:

Tuesday, March 15
San Diego - at the Marriott Del Mar

Wednesday, March 16
Los Angeles - at the Marriott Manhattan Beach

Thursday, March 17 - at the Marriott San Mateo

Come join us and hear what Hofstra is all about without having to jump on a plane!

To RSVP for one of the receptions, please go to www.hofstra.edu/asd or call us at 1-800-HOFSTRA to reserve your spot over the phone.

We look forward to seeing you and spending time with you on "your coast"!!

Introducing Myself

2011-02-10T20:54:00.002-05:00

Hi Everyone,

I was just recently hired as a pride guide here at Hofstra University and wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I am a freshman public relations major, with a minor in drama and marketing from Manchester, NH. As much snow as we seem to have gotten on campus, I feel very lucky that Hofstra does not have nearly as much as in New Hampshire.
Admissions is getting ready for our first Admitted Students Day, and I am very excited to be working this event. It is a wonderful opportunity for you to see the campus, either for the first time or just another look, to talk to current students, professors, or to possibly explore the wonderful New York City once the event is completed. Hofstra also hosts receptions throughout the country for students who are unable to come to campus. At these receptions, students can speak with their admissions counselors and current Hofstra students with your major or similar interest. This way, students can see what life is like here, by attending classes and getting lunch at one of our many eateries on campus. Hofstra has been wonderful, and I have really been enjoying my time here. My college experience, although it has only been a semester, has been amazing!

Spring is Around the Corner!!!

2011-02-10T08:41:00.002-05:00

Groundhog’s Day was February 2nd and he did not see his shadow, which means an early Spring! I think it is safe to say that everyone is looking forward to Spring and NO MORE SNOW! Personally, I am looking forward to the warm weather and enjoying the tulips on the Hofstra campus. We are very busy in the Office of Admission as we continue to read applications for the incoming freshman and transfer students! Our first Admitted Students Day is Sunday, March 6th. Now that you are admitted, this is a great opportunity to ask students, faculty and administrators what it is truly like to be a member of this active community. For more information and to RSVP for this event, please visit http://www.hofstra.edu/Admission/adm_regevents.cfm?onc=1. As the Spring approaches, all of the counselors are also getting ready for travel. We look forward to meeting seniors, juniors, and transfers. Here is a listing of all the high schools and college fairs that we will be attending http://www.hofstra.edu/Admission/adm_check_town.cfm . We hope to see you within the upcoming months!

Hofstra Will Be Hosting A Reception In Suffolk County!

2011-02-03T10:09:00.003-05:00

As the year goes along, we find ourselves getting closer and closer to May 1st: the date when all colleges expect a student to tell them whether or not they will be attending there in the Fall semester. When making the decision of which college to attend, it's always important to have as much information as possible as to what your experience will be like when you attend. To this end, Hofstra will be hosting a reception for all Long Island seniors interested in potentially attending this Fall. The reception will include a discussion with an admission counselor about admission, financial aid and student life, followed by a panel discussion from current Hofstra students who are native Long Islanders. What better way to find out what Hofstra life is like than from a current student? The details for the event are included below, and to be a part of this you can either RSVP by calling 1-800-HOFSTRA, or me directly at 516-463-7151. I hope to see you there!

Hofstra University Reception
Wednesday, February 16th, 2011
5:30 p.m and 7:30 p.m (each session is approximately 1 hr)
Hyatt Regency Long Island at Wind Watch Golf Club
1717 Motor Parkway
Hauppauge, NY 11788

Hofstra Pride

2011-02-02T15:49:00.004-05:00

Yet another exciting event has happened here at Hofstra. This past Saturday (1/29/11) a record was broken. Within a packed arena, I cheered on the Hofstra Pride at the men's basketball game. Senior guard, Charles Jenkins became Hofstra's all-time leading scorer. Jenkins now has 2,280 career points, breaking HU's previous record. Although HU was not able to win the game, the excitement was among the sellout crowd this weekend. You can join me cheer on the Pride tonight as they travel to George Mason and again back here in the Mack Sports Complex this Saturday (2/5/11) against Northeatern University.

Go Pride!

Winter months of an Admission Counselor

2011-01-31T11:02:00.001-05:00

Well the “Dog Days of Winter” are upon us here in the Northeastern part of the US. There is nothing but snow that surrounds us here at Hofstra University. The trees are covered, and there are ice sickles are starting form from the academic buildings making campus a winter wonderland.
The Admission Office has not missed a beat, even with the university closing for 2 days in the past two weeks because of “Old Man Winter.” The winter season in the Admission Office is a time to read all the great applications from students we have met in the Fall, and we are getting ready to hit the road again, for our Spring travel to meet with any seniors that still need help through the admission process, and we will start to form relationships with the juniors, and sophomores!
This is the time of year for counselors to some long weekends to visit family and friends that we may have in the area, or it is a time to go on a vacation and escape the cold! I just went to Philadelphia to visit family for the weekend. While I was in the Philadelphia area, I made sure I showed my support for the Hofstra Wrestling team by watching them take on The University of Penn and Drexel University. Hofstra won both matches and is looking to continue their winning streak as they take on Cornell University on Saturday, February 5, 2011. There are some of the counselors that will take long weekends to hit the slopes with friends, others will get away from Hofstra, and spend a weekend in Ocean City, Maryland or even taking a trip to Chicago, Illinois to visit an old colleague .
We take time off to rest and recharge the batteries before the Spring season is here and we are hitting the road again, along with hosting Admitted Student Days on our campus to help seniors and their parents decide if Hofstra University is a place they can call “Home” for the next 4 years! We look forward to seeing you and your family on campus or in the various parts of the United States as Spring is right around the corner!

Are You Admitted?

2011-01-24T15:21:00.002-05:00

My colleagues and I have spent the last few months reading and reviewing Early Action I and Early Action II applications. It's been fun and enlightening learning about possible members of the Hofstra Class of 2015.

For those of you who have been admitted, we'd love to meet you in person! Check out the Hofstra website to see all of the different events that we have (both on campus and off campus) for students who have been admitted to the University. In addition to Admitted Students Days on campus, and Admitted Student Receptions in various off campus locations, we also encourage you to come sit in on a class, or take a campus tour. Tell us what you'd like to see and do while you are visiting and we'll gladly help you out!

Looking forward to seeing many of you on campus in the next few weeks! Now back to reading applications for students who have applied regular decision . . .

Time to file your FAFSA

2011-01-10T15:49:00.001-05:00

Happy Monday! We are moving along with January, and it is hard to believe that we are weeks away from the Spring Semester. We had some snow last week, and the weather forecast is calling for more this week. I love when there is snow on the Hofstra campus, it is absolutely picture perfect!

We have been holding our Enrollment Services Days, and still have many more for the month of January. We are also continuing to read our Early Action II applications. Whether you are waiting for your decision letter, or have already been accepted, now is the time to start thinking about Financial Aid.

The first step in the financial aid process is to file your 2011-12 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by February 15th. The FAFSA will help to determine if you are eligible for grants, loans, and federal work study. Even if you don’t think you are eligible for financial aid, you should still fill it out because some scholarships do require it. Remember to add Hofstra’s school code to your FAFSA (002732).

If you are a NYS resident, attending a NYS college/institution remember to apply for New York’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) at www.hesc.com. You may be eligible for grant money, which is free and does not need to be paid back. Hofstra’s undergraduate TAP code is 0300.

The Office of Student Financial Services will be hosting a Financial Aid FAFSA Workshop on Thursday, January 13th at 7:00pm. For more information on this event, please visit http://www.hofstra.edu/Admission/adm_regevents.cfm?et=79. This event is a great way to learn about Federal Aid and a chance to meet your Student Financial Services Representative. I hope to see you there!

A New Year!

2011-01-03T09:01:00.004-05:00

Well it is Monday, January 3, 2011, the start of the first week work in 2011. After a nice week off, celebrating the holidays with friends and family, we are back to the grind. Here at Hofstra, the fun is just about to begin. We are holding multiple Enrollment Days throughout January for transfer students to apply, accepted and register for classes all in the same day.

We are reading applications of high school seniors who are applying through Early Action II, and looking forward to meeting those students soon as Admitted Student Days will begin in March!

The new year brings a new slate to all of us, a new chapter in our lives to learn from the previous year, build upon our successes and to better ourselves as we continue to grow as people. I hope the new year brings everyone nothing but fortune and continued success as we move forward to a new year.

Transfer Days at Hofstra

2010-12-20T16:08:00.002-05:00

Hello Everyone! I can't believe Fall semester is over already, and the campus is beginning to quiet down a bit. In admission, we are super busy - reading applications for our incoming first year class, and also reviewing applications for transfer students! This is the perfect time of year for those of you who are considering transferring to Hofstra to come and check out campus, meet with an admission counselor, and even register for classes for the Spring semester! So, if you are interested in coming on campus in January to find out more about the transfer process here at Hofstra, sign up for one of our Transfer Days! You can sign up by calling 1-800 HOFSTRA or by going online to hofstra.edu. I hope to see some of you on campus this January!

Finals Week!

2010-12-13T12:28:00.003-05:00

The end of the semester is winding down and I can't believe we're almost done! It's finals week (which means long hours in the library, barely any sleep, and a little more stress than we all really need), but just one more week and we all get to have a nice vacation. This past weekend, when I was feeling really stressed, I went to the free yoga classes that Hofstra offers during finals, and it was so helpful. My friends and I just took one hour out of our studies to regroup and calm down, and the yoga class in the student center was the perfect way to get my focus back. I'm excited for tonight, too - Hofstra has a free midnight breakfast for us in the student center! So while I'm in the library studying for hours and hours, I'll be able to take a nice break and refuel (for free!). Finals week isn't so awful when your school is helpful with calming down the students, so all I can say is, thank goodness for yoga and late-night breakfasts.

-Jacqui

College Week Live

2010-10-29T14:06:00.002-04:00

Hey everyone! Just thought I'd give you all a heads-up about this pretty cool event coming up. It's called College Week Live (I had never heard of it, but I kind of wish it was around when I was applying to schools...), and it's basically an online virtual college fair. And it turns out, Hofstra has its own booth there! It's going to take place on Nov. 3 and 4, and you can register to find out all about Hofstra at this website:

http://www.collegeweeklive.com/en_CA/br/Hofstra

Let me know how it is! Talk to you soon.
xo, Jacqui

Fun at Autumn Fest!

2010-10-29T13:33:00.009-04:00

Hey everyone! I'm Sam, and this is my very first blog post, so I thought I'd introduce myself first! I am a junior, Marketing major with a double minor in International Business and International Relations from Holmes, NY. I am on the University Crew team, as well as Student Government and a co-coordinator of Destination Runway, the Fall charity fashion event here on campus!

This Wednesday, October 27th was Autumn Fest here at Hofstra! From 11am until 2pm there was a giant fall-themed party in the Student Center Cafeteria.

There was so much to do it was hard to fit it all in! Liz & Graham, two other Pride Guides and I went together, and we had a blast. In between tasting all the delicious food samples that were available, the three of us made a Rice Krispies "cake" to bring back to the office!

A contest was being held for the best decorated treat, and the competition was tough. The table was filled with friends, frosting, and every kind of candy imaginable. We had a ton of fun decorating our "cake", and we probably ate more M&Ms than actually made it on the cake. The end result was awesome, though, and everyone in Admissions loved it!

Decorating treats wasn't the limit to the festival! There was also pumpkin painting, and everyone got to take home their pumpkins! The was even a prize of a new bike to the best decorated pumpkin, courtesy of Snapple.

To add to the fun, there was a raffle for almost every vendor and free samples of their food! From boxes of your favorite flavor of chips to free t-shirts, there was a ton of free stuff. I even got a phone call Thursday afternoon for winning a free Kodak EasyShare Camera!

Fall Open House!

2010-10-25T12:11:00.001-04:00

School of Communication Updates!

2010-10-25T11:45:00.004-04:00

Hey guys!

As I explained in my first post, I'm a broadcast journalism major - which makes me kind of obsessed with the School of Comm. So I thought I'd share some of the really great things that are going on in the department right now! Check it out:

Dempster Hall (AKA My Home Away From Home)

1. HTVinteractive.com - Hofstra is the first and only college/university to have original web content. Other universities have websites where they post their television shows on the internet, but our school makes web exclusive content for the web - keeping up with the ever-changing industry. Here you will find the IFC Make Media Matter blog that partnered with Hofstra students. HTVinteractive.com is managed by the club, HTVi, and the School of Communication.

2. ForYourIsland.com - For Your Island (FYI) is a magazine-style television show about the people, places and culture of Long Island. Produced at Hofstra’s School of Communication, the students of RTVF 164 write, shoot and produce all of the content. Now in its 23rd Season, For Your Island is continually finding new stories about Long Island. We broadcast live, and then post online. We have a web show, with web-only content, called The Long Island Edge (LIE), and we produce two of these shows in conjunction with FYI.

3. HeatNetwork.tv - Here is where you can watch all of the TV shows filmed by our television club, HEAT: Hofstra Entertainment Access Television. This includes Thursday Nite Live, Sports Beat, and Director's Cut. Anyone can participate, like all of our clubs, as an actor or as a crew member, and we're always looking for new content, so bring an idea!

4. WRHU.org - Listen to Radio Hofstra University streaming online, 24 hours a day. We just signed a deal with The Islanders for our sports department to cover their games - meaning students are now calling professional hockey games! At 51 years old, WRHU is a fully student- operated and student-run station, which is rare to find at most universities. And we've got everything: news, sports, any genre of music you can imagine, and talk shows like Hofstra's Morning Wake-Up Call. You can also listen to WRHU at 88.7FM - we broadcast 24/7!

5. Patch.com - Hofstra University is a founding partner with PatchU. Patch is a hyperlocal internet newspaper, and PatchU offers internship and coursework opportunities at local Patch publications to students under the guidance of Patch’s professional editors. Thirteen schools across the U.S. are already participating in the program as members of the PatchU network, gaining first-hand knowledge of Patch’s products, teams, and systems, as well as exposure to the company’s hyperlocal business model.

Lima, Peru- The continuing adventures of Hofstra Admissions in Latin America

2010-10-24T23:13:00.002-04:00

“Good morning Mr. Nelson, this is your wake up call. “

“Who?”

“Mr. Nelson? You requested a 3:35AM wakeup call.”

“Right. Gracias.”

Although it’s inhumanely early in the morning, after 10 minutes of stumbling around I’m wide awake and ready to go. I’m excited because we’re about to fly to a place I have never been- Lima, Peru.

After checking into the hotel, we go looking for lunch and to explore the city. Peru is known for Ceviche, among many other things. It’s served over Tacu Tacu- rice and the biggest kernels of corn you’ve ever seen. The ear of corn must look like a baseball bat. You wonder what Peruvians would say to the baby corns that are served in Chinese dishes. Speaking of, there is actually a large Chinese population in Peru- about 8 percent of the population. On Thursday, our tour guide explains that Peruvians and Chinese found common ground in their use of rice, so there are Chinese food restaurants all over the place.

After lunch, I see someone walking down the street with a surfboard- the water is nowhere in sight, so we ask how to get there. A few blocks away, the apartment buildings give way to an unbelievable view of the South Pacific, waves rolling in several hundred feet below us and breaking on the cliffs.

A lighthouse in the distance looks very similar to the one on Montauk Point, back home on Long Island. The difference being, this one is surrounded by palm trees.

We leave the cliffs and find a small café to grab a coffee. Two young women sitting next to us hear English and American accents and we end up discussing baseball. I’m a Mets fan- they’re from San Diego, so we have a lot to discuss about the Philadelphia Phillies. They are taking the Inca Trail to Machu Pichu in just a few days. Amazingly, we see them again on Thursday, having coffee again just outside the Presidential Palace. Small world.

We explore a little more and find a taxi back to the hotel. By anyone’s estimate, there are about 500,000 taxis in Lima- a city of about 8 million people. There are no official taxis- or buses for that matter. Over 400 bus companies compete for your business and routes change on a whim, so you have to really know the city to take public transportation. The people seem to know exactly what they’re doing- all of the buses are packed, each one decorated with a different distinguishing design.

We visit Markham High School first, then Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the American School. We meet with students at tables set up outside, under a canopy. The weather is perfect- between 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (21 or so Celsius) and there’s a breeze that occasionally blows stuff off of the tables. Afterward we have about five hours before our flight, so our guide shows us around Lima and explains some of its rich history.

Supposedly, Francisco Pizzaro determined that Peru needed a capital city closer to the coast and so sent three soldiers to find a good location. They did, and that city became Lima. The soldiers are usually compared to the Three Wise Men of the Christian Bible. The Peruvian flag was designed by Jose de San Martin, with the red colors supposedly inspired by the flamingos he saw in Pisco. We visit the national churches and drive past congress and an old, domed building which was used during the Spanish Inquisition- probably not a place you wanted to be.

We arrive at our hotel in Quito, Ecuador around 2AM. We’ll spend a few days here, with a trip to Mindo on Friday and Saturday. Our trip is halfway over, but there’s still a whole lot to see and do.

Cabaret Backstage Tour

2010-10-22T12:30:00.002-04:00

Here is my tour of the Stage Manager's booth in the John Cranford Adams Playhouse. I hope you enjoy it!

The Department of Drama and Dance's production of Cabaret runs:
Friday, October 22 @ 8PM
Saturday, October 23 @ 8PM
Sunday, October 24 @ 2PM
Thursday, October 28 @ 8PM
Friday, October 29 @ 8PM
Saturday, October 30 @ 8PM
Sunday, October 31 @ 2PM

More information is available at Drama and Dance Future Performances

Nice to Meet You!

2010-10-22T12:29:00.011-04:00

Hey everyone! I'm Jacqui, I'm new to this blog so I wanted to introduce myself. I'm a junior here at Hofstra, majoring in broadcast journalism and (attempting to) double minor in Italian and English with a concentration in creative writing. I'm not entirely sure what on Earth I want to do as a career with those three subjects, but I'm workin' on it. I actually just got my acceptance letter to Lambda Pi Eta, which is the Honor Society within the School of Communications! So I'm really excited about that. I also just joined WRHU, Hofstra's AMAZING radio station (seriously.. you should see the studios, not to mention the alumni), and I just started my first internship with Patch.com, which is a hyperlocal internet newspaper owned by AOL. Hofstra is actually the first university to have a partnership with a branch of Patch - the newspaper actually works right inside Dempster Hall, the Communications building - so it's a really cool opportunity for journalism students and I totally jumped at the chance to get some articles published. Check out some of my work!

Anyway, this school year has been great so far. We had a really fun Homecoming (yes, even without a football game) - Trey Songz actually came and performed a concert for us, along with Fountains of Wayne and a bunch of other acts! Haha, so it was a good time. And Halloween is coming up fast! I heard that Hofstra is sponsoring a party at our campus event hall on Friday, so that should definitely be a good time. And I think my friends and I are going to head into the city the next night for some dancing and haunted houses in our costumes! NYC is only a 25 minute train ride away, so we take advantage of that whenever possible, haha.

Well I'll talk to ya'll later, time to start getting ready for the Fall Open House on Sunday. If you registered, I'll be working there - come say hi!

- Jacqui

P.S. Did I just say "ya'll"? Oh boy.. I'm from Boston, but my southern roommate rubs off on me. That's the last time I live with a girl from Georgia! Haha, just kidding:)

Sao Paulo, Brazil- Churrascaria, high school visits and Green Day

2010-10-21T00:54:00.004-04:00

Day one. The picture above could easily have been me after getting of the plane. Actually, it's graffiti that was on a wall somewhere on a side street. Graffiti is not graffiti in Latin America. Sure, every major city has at least some of it- but the pictures and murals on the walls here can be beautiful and sometimes very political. I'll try to find a few more interesting works of art around here.

This is our only full day in Brazil. Looking half asleep, the members of my group and I make out way to the lobby to grab a quick breakfast before heading out for a full day. Sorry, US grocery stores but you just can’t even come close to the kinds of fruit you can get down here: guavas, passionfruit, jackfruit, papaya and abacaxi (Brazilian pineapples.) I think in my kitchen right now there is one lonely grapefruit, which will be mush when I get back. It’s hard not to have a healthy breakfast here. After dinner at the Churrascaria last night (where you don’t even bother with side dishes because they take away from the amount of meat you could be consuming) everyone enjoys a light breakfast.

The waiter pours me a cup of coffee. Still mostly asleep, I say “Obrigado.” A difficult concept to remember is that in Portuguese, the gender of words may depend on who is saying them, not on who you are addressing. All of the verb forms I remember from German (I-you-he/she: Ich-du-er/sie) are out the window. To say “thank you” in Brazil, I say “obrigado.” If I said “obrigada,” people might look at me slightly confused.

We’re staying in Sao Paulo, one of the largest cities in the world and home to 18 million people- well 18,000,008 since we arrived on Monday, but who’s counting. It’s spring here right now, just a few more weeks until summer. The World Cup is coming to Brazil in 2014. Unlike the Olympics (which, by the way, are also being held here in 2016) there is no, one stadium site. Twelve cities around Brazil have been chosen to host World Cup matches and in a country where Football is a huge part of life, that is going to be once exciting event. At one of the schools we visit today, the Principal informs us that they had to reschedule a final exam because it conflicted with a World Cup final. Instead, a reception was held for students, teachers and parents and the game was broadcast. As soon as it was over, they took the test.

Our first day of high school visits begins. We visit St. Paul’s School, the British School of Sao Paulo. We are met by a great sized crowd. One of the most interesting parts of working in international admissions is learning how all the different school systems around the world operate. For example, if you’re interested, read up on the British system, the IB program or the French Baccalaureate. School does not always mean 12 years and, in some countries, the decisions you make about the kind of student you are when you are 14 can hugely impact your future in college and in your career.

At Graded School, we meet students in their beautiful Black Box theater. Hofstra has a Black Box too, which I was amazed to find out, the first time I was in it, that it is quite literally a big black box with small black cubes that can be rearranged to form whatever kind of stage a director might want. A student who I met last year on my visit rushes up to the tables and says “Hey! You were here last year. My friend asked you how Hofstra could compare to Hogwarts from Harry Potter.” “Of course I remember,” I say. “I wrote all about it in my blog.” That may have been the most interesting question I have ever heard from a student. She explains that all the pre-college books they have read advise students to ask thought-provoking and maybe even some weird questions of college employees. I say I think that’s fantastic- that’s “thinking outside the box.” More on that phrase later..

Finally, we visit Chapel School where, just like last year, we are just in time to catch the last day of their annual art show. Hundreds of pieces from some of Brazil’s most beloved artists have already been sold, the proceeds from which goes to the various missions of the school and the Oblates of Mary Immaculate who founded the school. Since there are some new members to our group, we also visit some of the interesting rooms of the school- such as it’s beautiful library. We are pointed to a building which looks like a hut with a straw roof, set about 50 meters from the main school building. Apparently, that’s the new art room. In a school so focused on art, I imagine Chapel students will create some masterpieces under that straw roof. (picture below)
For each of the counties we are visiting, I have brought a poster with me, which I am encouraging students to sign and leave messages for the students and teachers back home in the US. Today’s poster, which says “Hello! From Brazil” is full of names, messages in English, Portuguese, Spanish and German, and drawings of flags. Luckily, there’s a little more space. When we arrive back at the hotel and decide to sit down and relax for a minute before going back to our respective rooms. We spot some familiar faces. The guys from Green Day are sitting at a table directly opposite ours. They are playing here in Sao Paulo in two nights and apparently have decided to stay in the same hotel.

Poster in hand, I walk over and explain that it’s packed out with messages from the students of Brazil to their colleagues back in the US. Mike Dirnt and Jason Freese, who are at the table, both sign, each with a small drawing of a box and the letter X just outside it- “think outside the box.” That’s an awesome message which any student around the world can certainly appreciate.

I’m not expecting to run into any other world famous bands tomorrow, but we are headed for Lima, Peru. I’m up at 3:35AM to catch a flight and, twenty hours later, finally decide to call it a night. What happens in between is a fun story. Buenos noches

Willkommen, Bienvenue, Welcome to "Cabaret"!

2010-10-20T13:46:00.007-04:00

Cabaret tech rehearsal (from light board)

I have had the absolute pleasure of working as the Master Electrician on Cabaret, Hofstra University's Department of Drama and Dance musical production this year. I am in charge of hanging and focusing the lighting for the entire production. Our Scenic Designer (and Department Chair), David Henderson, developed a set that has approximately 350 light bulbs built into it. Guess who had to wire each and every one of those up....yup, me! In addition to working for the last month on getting all the lights ready, we had two 12 hour days of tech rehearsals this weekend and we continue to have dress rehearsals all this week until our opening night on Friday. During tech, the Lighting Designer and I worked on programming the light board with all of the cues for the show. It was so exhausting, yet so rewarding to see the result live on stage.

Cabaret set model

The entire cast, crew, and production team, including myself, are extremely excited for everyone in the Hofstra community and beyond to see this incredible production!

-Bryan Chess
Sophomore, Drama Production Major

Cabaret set nearing completion

Adventures in South and Central America

2010-10-19T21:02:00.005-04:00

Greetings from Sao Paulo, Brazil! Once again, welcome to my travel blog. My name is Jack Nelson and I have the awesome privilege of flying around the world to meet prospective Hofstra students. These trips are always an adventure- I never know exactly what to expect, but that’s what makes this interesting. Quick examples: volcanic eruptions , having machine guns pointed at our car by the Secret Service (huge misunderstanding,) running into the Prime Minister of Kuwait, and that time there was a power surge while I was shaving my face with an electric razor in Oman. That was not a good look for me.

That might not sound like much of a vacation, but I visit eight countries in ten days, so moments like that keep me wide awake and on my toes. That and, in this case, strong coffee. Good luck finding a weak cup of coffee anywhere in Latin America. If you put aside the adventure, the travel and the great food, the real reason I’m down here is also the best part- meeting the amazing students who live and learn here. Traveling from country to country for a few days is one thing, but going to study for four years in a new place is something which deserves a tremendous amount of respect. My job is to come here and let students know that if they decide Hofstra is where they want to be, their travels will be a lot easier than mine and there is always someone around to support them when they need it.

Speaking of backup, I am traveling with seven other counselors from different institutions around the US. There are just under 4000 colleges and universities in the country- and there’s a “right choice” out there for any student. We’re here to try and help international students find the perfect fit for them. They arrive at intervals over the course of today. I get in just after 6:40AM. From thousands of feet in the air, sunrise is indescribably beautiful. There are lots of early wake-ups on this trip, so I’ll see plenty of that. The rolling landscape of folded mountains and hills, much older than the jagged peaks of the American Midwest, looks like waves on the ocean and the first hint of sunrise is one streak of red and orange across the horizon line. Amazing. I wish the windows on planes were larger.

I check into my hotel around 10. It’s a Monday morning so people are going about their business. This is a very nice hotel in the center of the Jardins District, a fun section of the city with restaurants and shops to check out, if that’s your thing. I’m more interested in breakfast, when I arrive. This is also, I find out, a very fashionable part of Sao Paulo and the hotel and everyone in it are styling. The men are in designer suits and leather shoes, the women are in dresses and high heels. I like to be comfortable on long flights, so I step up to the front desk in a Hofstra hooded sweatshirt and red, flannel pajama pants.

My room is not ready yet. No problem. I just want to change my shirt and wash my face. The restrooms are through the restaurant and down the stairs, the concierge tells me. I stride through the middle of the restaurant where businessmen and women are having professional lunches. Loaded with luggage and, again, still wearing pajamas, I turn a few heads. On a trip like this, I’d rather be comfortable. I could swear the quiet house music playing throughout the hotel stopped when I was in the center of the restaurant, but that’s probably just my imagination.

I travel light (clearly) so it does not take long to bring all my stuff up to my room. On the first day in Brazil, there's only one thing to do- visit a Churrascaria. When you go, before even sitting down find the little coaster which is red on one side and green on the other. If the green side is up, prepare to be constrantly offered some of the most delicious meats you have ever tasted. Last year I tried chicken hearts. This year, it's wild boar. Amazing. And it just keeps on coming.

Working on around three hours of sleep and after eating more food than any person should eat in the course of a week, we head back to the hotel and get ready for a full day of work. Tommorrow we visit some great schools in and around Sao Paulo. My next blog will appear tomorrow, Wednesday. I'm posting these a day behind so I can tell you this- you'll want to check out the next one. It involves meeting a world famous band in a very unexpected location...

For Your Island

2010-10-15T11:12:00.005-04:00

It's Friday, October 15, 2010, and my RTVF 164 class (an advanced television production class) has 3 days until our first show. For Your Island is a magazine style television show about the people, places and culture of Long Island, New York. Produced in Hofstra University’s School of Communication, the students of RTVF 164 write, shoot and produce all of the content. Now in its 22nd Season, For Your Island is continually finding new stories about Long Island. The show is broadcast live on our campus, on channel 35, and about a week later, posted online on our website.

Throughout the semester, For Your Island produces 4 air shows and 2 web shows (The Long Island Edge). The show is setup with 3 producers. One producer produces shows 1 and 3, another produces shows 2 and 4, and the third produces 2 of the web shows. A student outside of our class, is the series coordinating producer, and oversees that the air shows and the web show are going smoothly. The majority of the students in the class are segment producers, who go out and produce 3 minute and 30 second packages on a person or place on Long Island. The content produced by my fellow classmates is incredible, and the stories that we find are interesting, cool, and very creative. We are looking forward to a great show on Monday!

In this upcoming show we are airing 6 different packages:

The Islander's - How they are giving back to the local communities and fans of Long Island.

HorseAbility - A program for individuals with physical and emotional disabilities.

LI Society for Paranormal Research - Ghost hunters looking to prove and disprove the existence of paranormal activity.

Miracle League - Baseball league for kids with mental and physical disabilities.

5Ptz - a living collage of graffiti art covering a converted warehouse full of artist studios in Long Island City.

Soaring Association - A soaring club on Long Island.

If you are around campus on Monday, October 18th, we are doing something very special for the first time! We are holding a viewing party in the Student Center Theater from 3:45-4:30PM. the show will begin at 4PM and runs for a half hour. Meanwhile, the other half of our crew will be in Studio B, running the live broadcast. Before the show begins, we are planning to shoot small packages with our attendees for the Web Show!

For Your Island gives students the ability to get studio and field experience and ultimately produce a live broadcast. We are hands on with Publicity, Equipment, Editing, and everything in between. As a senior about to graduate in the Spring, I am fortunate to have been able to build up my skills to this level of production and continue to do so as shows 2, 3, and 4 come around.

I hope you are able to watch! Check out our website for past seasons!

-B.

First post

2010-10-06T11:23:00.002-04:00

Hello to all!

My name is Melody and I am a sophomore music education student. I am just starting to get into my major and I am loving it! From my music classes to all 0f my music extracurricular activities, Hofstra is offering so much for me as a musician and a student. I take a lot of music classes, but I love the fact that I have room in my schedule for classes in other areas too. This semester I am also taking a public speaking course, which is actually one of my favorite classes. I am getting practice in speech, which is something I will need to practice if I want to be a teacher. Next semester I am taking a psychology class, a history class, and an honors seminar on the health care system. This will be on top of a few music classes, which will be a challenge, but I am so excited to be taking so many different classes! Don't I sound like a nerd :)

I am also super excited because my a cappella group, Makin' Treble, is having it's first group concert on November 7th! We will be singing a lot of fun songs, like Empire State of Mind (rap included), I Won't Say I'm In Love from Hercules, Fix You by Coldplay, Beat It by Michael Jackson, and so much more. It will be a lot of fun and we hope to see a ton of people there!

So, life's been pretty awesome here at Hofstra. Homecoming was last weekend, and the concert was SO much fun. I can't wait for music fest in the spring!

-Melody

Back in the Swing of Things!

2010-10-05T16:43:00.000-04:00

It's so nice to be back at Hofstra and into classes and working. I think this is going to be my busiest semester yet, but it's going to be full of wonderful things! I've finally joined the Hofstra Gospel Ensemble, after talking about doing it for two years, and I'm very glad I did. It's so nice to sing every week, and we have a lot of performances this semester. I'm also going to be creating a Media Kit for Hofstra Gospel for my PR Copywriting class. It's going to include press releases, brochures, and maybe a demo cd. This is a great project because it'll really help me build up my portfolio for when I have job interviews.
I'm also participating this semester in NSAC, which is the National Student Advertising Competition. Me and a group of about fifteen people are charged with designing and creating an entire marketing and advertising plan for JC Penney. The finalists get to go to San Diego, so hopefully we can make it there!
As part of PRSSA, Hofstra's chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America, I'm working as part of PRestige, which is Hofstra's very own Public Relations agency. Our client this semester is the Nassau Coalition against Child Abuse and Neglect, and we're working to promote their new Safe Place. It will be a very fulfilling thing to be a part of, and I'm really looking forward to creating the campaign.
I've also just started my internship hunt for spring semester. I'm hoping to work for the Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth, or maybe the Long Island Women's Agenda. My idea internship would be with the Nassau Coalition Against Domestic Violence. I've sent out some emails and I'm waiting to hear back. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
This is a pretty self-centered blog post, huh? I suppose it is, but I'm just so excited to be doing everything I'm doing this semester. There's so much going on here at Hofstra, and I'm glad I'm becoming more of a part of it. I'm even somehow managing to find time for classes, sleep, and a bit of a social life, so I'd say it's going pretty well!
I'll check in again soon - hopefully with some great news about an internship!

-Jade Keena
Junior Public Relations and Creative Writing Majour

Hofstra University: Coming Soon To A Town Near You!

2010-09-03T17:52:00.007-04:00

With school starting this week for many students around the country, it's time to get back to the books. Whether you are starting the first day of your freshman, sophomore, junior or senior year, it is important to start thinking about college and what you should be doing to prepare for it. While you don't have to worry about choosing a list of possible universities as early as your freshman year, it is important to realize that all of your grades during high school are taken into account during the admission process. Being aware of information such as this as well as knowing where to go to find college-related resources will allow you to be well-equipped for your eventual college search.

To find out what kind of time line you should be following to prepare for college, such as registering for the SATs and when to start visiting schools, the best person to go to is your high school guidance counselor. To find out very specific information about the schools you are interested in attending, such as entrance requirements and programs offered at the school, the best person to speak to is a college admission counselor. At Hofstra, every applicant is assigned to an admission counselor, so there is always someone to speak to regarding any questions or concerns you may have about the application process. The counselor you are assigned to is based on where you live. If you would like to find out who your admission counselor is, please visit our website at http://hofstra.edu/admission/adm_contact.html and click on "Find Your Undergraduate Admission Counselor". Upon speaking with us, you can find out whether we'll be visiting your high school or a college fair in your town. Good luck to you all, and have a great school year!

The Hofstra H

2010-08-30T11:50:00.004-04:00

All of our students have moved in! Transfers, first years, and returning! The campus is full! There are tons of activities and meetings scheduled! Classes begin Wednesday! Hofstra is beginning another year, and this year we are beginning our 75th Anniversary Celebration. There is so much to look forward to, and reflect upon regarding where Hofstra has been, and where we are headed. This weekend, Hofstra's incoming class stood on the Arena floor and took their class photo in the shape of an H - the Hofstra H. Seeing the photo, and all of the students just reminded me of the strong traditions we have on campus - The Hofstra H being one of them. I am so happy to be part of another year here, and have the chance to participate in our many traditions, and make new memories with the people here!

2010-08-26T11:00:00.004-04:00

The grass is cut, the trees are starting to turn color, and the Class of 2014 is moving into their new home today. This can only mean one thing: the start of a new academic year and the start of the Fall Season. Once again, Summer has gone by with a blink of an eye once again. Some made the trip to the Poconos for a long week, others went across country to visit family in California, while the lucky ones spent days and even weeks on the beaches of New York, New Jersey, Maryland.

Fall is upon us whether we like to admit it or not. Here at Hofstra, our Fall sports teams have begun their quest for a Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Conference Championship season. The Men’s Soccer team opened up their season with an exhibition game against St. John’s University this past Wednesday night. The two teams played to a 0-0 tie. The Field Hockey team will start their season on Saturday night as they travel to the University of Albany to take on the Terriers of Boston University. The Women’s Soccer team will open their season on the road when they visit the Eagles of Boston College on Friday, August 27, 2010. As it hosts the Hofstra/Asics Invitational the weekend of Friday, August 27, 2010, the Volleyball team will be the first to open the Fall sports season here at Hofstra University on Friday, August 27, 2010.

Hofstra University is electric right now! The freshman and new students are arriving on campus this week, the Admissions staff is getting ready for another travel season, the athletic teams are beginning a new season, and the Hofstra community is celebrating Hofstra’s 75th anniversary as a leader in higher education. Please make sure you and your family come to campus in the Fall to check out our athletic teams in action, speak to our students, and get a feel for what it is like to be a Hofstra student!

Writing Your College Essay

2010-07-21T14:50:00.002-04:00

It's never too early to start thinking about your college essay! Summer is a great time to begin researching and narrowing down your topic choices. Here are some do's and don'ts, along with some general advice regarding your college essay:

The essay is your chance to share your thoughts, insights and opinions.
It's also a place to highlight your unique accomplishments.
Write about yourself. No one knows more about you than you!
Organize your thoughts. Create and follow an outline.
Write a first draft, focusing on content. Leave it for a few days, re-read it with a fresh perspective, and make any changes.
Use your own "voice". Others may offer suggestions and recommendations, but the work should be your own.
Reveal yourself and paint a picture with words.
Show, rather than tell. Use examples and anecdotes to illustrate your topic and bring it to life.
Don't write to impress, and don't write what you think others want to read.
Be concise and don't ramble.
Don't neglect the technical part of your essay. Grammar, spelling and sentence structure count! Don't rely solely on spell and grammar check.

Remember that the college essay is not an obstacle, but rather, an opportunity for you to speak directly to the admissions committee. It is well worth the effort to put extra time, thought and energy into writing your essay. A thoughtful, well written essay can affect a final admissions decision. It's my favorite part of every student's application.

Happy writing!

Starting College

2010-07-19T10:00:00.004-04:00

When my friends ask me what I do at my job over the summer, I get to tell them that I sing and dance, perform, meet new people, attend dance parties, help new students get a head start on their college experience, and get to live at Hofstra University for the entire summer! I work as an Orientation Leader in the Office of Student Leadership & Activities through the New Student Orientation program. And I must say, that it is the best job ever! When you are accepted to Hofstra as a first year student, you attend an Orientation session in the summer before you start your first semester. It is a 3 day, 2 night program where you get to meet other students, learn about the many resources on campus, and register for classes. In between all of that, there are performances provided by the Orientation Leaders, dance parties, and other social activities that get you meeting and making new friends before you begin in September.

There are 8 weeks of Orientation throughout the summer, and presently, we are down to only 3 more weeks left. This week, the next, and the first week in August. Over the 3 days, students arrive to the University, learn about the different resources Hofstra has to offer; such as the Career Center, all 140 Clubs and Organizations, Advisement, Dining, Public Safety, and even the team of people dedicated to every student throughout their academic career from the moment they step onto campus until they walk across the graduation platform.

<-- Orientation Staff This summer, the common reading assigned to the Class of 2014, is The Pickup by Nadine Gordimer. "This is a novel 'about freedom, responsibility, love, and identity'. In fact, on the most immediate level, the book is about a personal relationship; and we at Hofstra share the sentiments expressed by Prof. Michelle Moody-Adams of Cornell University, which also recently assigned this book as its summer common reading: through The Pickup, we hope to remind all students of 'the personal relationships they can have with a good book'." (Taken from the Common Reading FY C Website)

I get to meet so many different students, help them learn about the University, I am proud to call home, and help them register for their first semester in college; the whole time getting to watch them enjoy the experience and see the excitement build as they get ready for college. The summer has flown by, and continues not to slow down.

The second half of Orientation falls in the week right before classes begin, called "Welcome Week." It is filled with events, activities, and trips designed to help students meet new people and get acquainted to the University and the surrounding communities. Some of the trips in the past included: Broadway shows, Mets game, Bronx Zoo, Jones Beach, and other walking tours of the greatest city in the world, NYC. When I was a first year student, I went on a trip to Central Park. We walked around, explored Central Park, went to the castle in the park, rode the historical carousel, and ate at a great grocery store, called Whole Foods. It opened me up to new places to go to in the city. I've been to Central Park many times, but never really got to explore the park the way we did on that trip. It was a beautiful day, there were 13 of us, and all so excited to start school. I met a lot of people with whom I see around and am friends with today.
<-- Me as a first year student (now 3 years ago) at the Central Park Trip. Orientation is a great place to meet new students, make friends, learn about campus, and get the excitement built up to start your college experience! Welcome Week adds to that excitement through all of the events and trips. If you are looking to get an inside look at Orientation, The O Staff set up a Youtube account to post videos about Orientation.

Student Leadership & Activities has a tumblr blog!

If you have any questions, let me know!

-B.

Some Favorite Places to Eat in NYC

2010-07-14T11:18:00.005-04:00

Hofstra University is located just 25 miles east of midtown Manhattan, and a quick trip to anyone of the five boroughs. But it is not our geography that I want to write about today, today we are going to discuss a topic which everybody can relate to, and which, on the whole, everyone enjoys -- FOOD. Food, by a simple definition it is fuel to nourish one's body. Yet, more than the food, are the restaurants that serve some of the city's best. I am by no means a culinary expert, however, I am a consumer, and an eater, and someone who appreciates the taste of a quality meal. Like the recent phenom of shows dedicated to filling our bellies such as Diners, Drive-In's, and Dives, Man Vs. Food, or Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, this is our version. From a student's persepctive food is one of the most important aspects of your college career, because of the ever dreadful Freshman 15, Sophomore 20, or the continued incremental weight gain as the 1am dominos specials become too tempting to resist. However, besides the occasional fried foods and quickly processed deli meats, there is a such thing as "real" food. By this I mean food that is not processed, and is actually delicious enough that your pallet will crave it. There are many of my favorite restaurants that fit this category in the NYC nightlife. One of my favorite places to host a Hofstra student as a change of sceneray from the 21 different (and also delicious) eataries which we have on campus is Yum Yum located on restaurant row on 9th Ave. between 45th ad 46th Street. Restaurants like Yum Yum fit into the category of serving "real" food. Food, that is right in our universities backyard, as a chance to sample cuisine from all over the world. Taken from thailand, my favorites to consumer at Yum Yum are diverse. For an appetizer we start with a chicken satay skewed with coconut milk and creamy peanut sauce to dip or for the more adventerous - the duck roll, marinated duck rolled up, fried, and served with plum sauce. For the main course go with one of my favorites, spicy chicken chili sauteed in garlic and chili sauces. Delicious, and on the appropriate budget for a college student. Appetizers range from $5-$7 and the main course which I mentioned is about $10. The perfect meal for under $25. A nice intimate setting with friendly service and good company. Every person I have taken here has enjoyed themself, and besides the name which insights humor everytime it is mentioned, it is always a fun and secure choice to eat. Afterwards take a walk to the neighboring times square, and grab some dessert at Juniors Most Fabulous Cheesecake & Desserts on West 45th Street between Broadway and 8th Ave. for a slice or worldfamous cheesecake or apple pie a la mode. Enjoy your culinary adventure, and look out for the next review for the perfect place to expand your taste buds.

Hofstra, Music and the Beach!

2010-07-09T11:32:00.002-04:00

One of my favorite things in the world is listening to live music. One of my other favorite things in the world is the beach. That is why it’s so spectacular that Jones Beach has its annual Summer Concert Series here on Long Island! With temperatures climbing into the hundreds these past few days in New York, people have been trying to find ways to keep cool and stay entertained at the same time. The Summer Concert Series starts in June and keeps running all the way until the first day of classes here at Hofstra, meaning that in between your semesters here, you can enjoy a non-stop stream of music by the water. Tonight’s concert will include the music of The Offspring, Pepper and 311. For those looking to travel back in time to see artists of the last few decades, the month of July will showcase such musicians as Chicago, Meatloaf, Santana, Rush, Sting, Kiss and Jimmy Buffet. What’s great about seeing a concert at the beach is that it doesn’t take up your whole night. Most shows start around 6:30-7pm, so you have time for dinner beforehand and a nice walk on the boardwalk after the show. For a comprehensive list of concerts being put on during the 2010 season as well as all other information about Jones Beach, visit JonesBeach.com. For any and all information about Hofstra and the wonderful music programs and ensembles we have, visit Hofstra.edu.

Summer on Long Island!

2010-07-09T09:33:00.002-04:00

It's been steaming hot this week on Long Island, and here at Hofstra we are enjoying everything Long Island has to offer to stay cool. We boast miles of beach-world reknowned Jones Beach is only 15 minutes away from campus! Museum Row is located about 10 minutes from Hofstra as well, including a Children's Museum and Cradle of Aviation Museum.
People at Hofstra are also staying fit, with Pilates and Turbo-Kick classes being offered at our Recreation Center or swimming at our Olympic sized pool.
Come on down and visit! We're offering tours every day of the week over the summer and would love to see you!

2010-07-08T15:32:00.006-04:00

Many schools offer summer classroom courses; Hofstra offers not only classroom courses, but also online courses - these online courses are a great way to continue your degree no matter where in the country you find yourself during the summer! Some offerings include:

Romanticism (Literature)
How the Simpsons saved America (Literature)
Italian Women's 20th Century Prose Fiction
Gay Short Stories
American Politics
Comparative Psychology
French Short Stories
Comparative Politics

Hope the summer's treating you well and that we get to see you on campus soon!

Some fun things to do in NYC over the summer

2010-07-08T14:07:00.003-04:00

One of the best parts about being near New York City in the summer is having access to all of the things that the city has to offer you. My colleague Janine mentioned that Long Island has beaches etc., but I also wanted to mention some examples of things to do in New York City in the summer:

1. See Monday Night Movies at Bryant Park. There are free movies every Monday at Bryant Park, beginning at Sunset. Here is a complete listing of movies shown here this summer: http://gonyc.about.com/cs/summer/a/hbobryantpark_2.htm
2. Visit Coney Island. You can ride the world famous Cyclone, visit the aquarium, go to the beach, taste a Nathan's Hot dog, and take in a baseball game with the Brooklyn Cyclones. To find out more info go to: http://gonyc.about.com/cs/summer/a/hbobryantpark_2.htm
3. Explore Central Park. The 843 acre park is a beautiful site in the heart of NYC.
Go to the Bow Bridge and check out the turtles in turtle pond, or just relax in Sheeps Meadow.
4. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge. As it takes a half hour to walk the bridge (allowing time to stop and take pictures), I would save this for a day that isn't too hot. In my opinion, it is a must do though!
5. Visit the botanical garden in the Bronx. See the Rose garden or check out one of the exhibitions at the garden. http://www.nybg.org/visit/exhibitions.php
6. While you are up there in the Bronx, check out the Bronx Zoo too! Zoos are not just for kids, and you can come check out the newly named lion cubs: Nala, Adamma, Shani. http://www.nybg.org/visit/exhibitions.php

Also, there is a website of the top 10 free things to do in NYC. As a student, "free" is the magic word, so here you go and enjoy the city!
http://gonyc.about.com/od/freestuff/tp/free_attraction.htm

Summer in New York/Hofstra's 75th Anniversary

2010-07-07T16:25:00.003-04:00

Hello Everyone! I can't believe it is almost the middle of July! There are so many things happening around campus, around Long Island, and in the city! One of the things I love most about living on Long Island is how close we are to the beaches, and to the city...we definitely have the best of both worlds living here. Even if you want to cool off, and don't want to leave campus, we have a huge swimming pool that I take advantage of regularly! As a former student here, summer is one of my favorite times on campus, because it is a bit quieter here, so you can really enjoy Hofstra's sights, and grounds when it isn't too hot out.
In just about six weeks the campus will be full again, with students moving in, and many different activities happening. I am looking forward to the kickoff event for Hofstra's 75th Anniversary Celebration! We are even having a cake-cutting ceremony in September! There is also going to be a huge Hofstra timeline stretching across the middle unispan sometime in September. There is so much to look forward to on campus! Alumni and Family Weekend should be extra special this year!

Come Visit Us This Summer!

2010-06-16T10:05:00.002-04:00

Making a campus visit is one of the best ways to determine whether a college is right for you. We would love to have you get to know Hofstra University by visiting us this summer. It's the perfect time to see our 240 acre campus, get to know our current students and learn exactly what we are all about.

Our summer visit program enables you to learn about admission requirements, scholarships, and academic areas of study while also being able to take a campus tour with a current Hofstra student. Summer information sessions and tours generally occur Monday through Thursday at 10:15 am and 2:00 pm or Fridays at 10:15 and and 1:00 pm. If you prefer to come on a weekend, Saturday sessions are generally held at 9:30 am and 11:00 am, and select Sundays at 10:00 am.

To view our summer campus visit calendar, please visit www.hofstra.edu/visit or call 1-800-HOFSTRA. We are located 25 miles east of New York City and are a 40 minute train ride from Manhattan, or a 30 minute drive from either LaGuardia or John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport. We are happy to assist you with your travel planning needs and can easily recommend area hotels, provide transportation information, and give you great dining recommendations. All you need to do is ask!

We look forward to welcoming you to our campus this summer. Visiting Hofstra is the best way to determine if our university is right for you! See you soon :)

SUMMER IN FULL SWING

2010-05-27T21:32:00.007-04:00

Spring semester is over, which means I am officially a senior! These past three years have really flown by. My plans for the summer are to take the June 7 LSAT (the Law School Admissions Test). Who knows maybe Hofstra Law School is in my future. According to U.S. News and World Report, it is ranked 86 in the nation out of 200 law schools in the United States, making it have Tier 1 status. Also according to Princeton Review, 95% of their graduates have jobs within six months of graduating. In this economy, that is a nice little fact to keep in mind. I plan after undergrad to attend law school then hopefully practice in the field of media law. Actually I believe one of the new concentrations of the Mass Media Studies Department of the School of Communications is media law. Check it out see if it is for you. I remember taking Mass 104: Media Law with Professor Susan Drucker and falling in love with this combination of the department I am currently studying and the field I hope to break into.

Over the summer, I will be interning for EMI Music (one of the the Big Four record labels) in Manhattan, for the Productions/Operations Department. This is my third internship in the entertainment sector. Last summer, I interned at Sony Music in their A&R admin department for JIVE/RCA Records. I got to see some pretty big talent roaming the halls. The summer before that I interned at McCue, Sussmane and Zapfel. An entertainment law firm, some of their big clients were Forbes, Kenneth Cole and Kimora Lee Simmons. It was really fun and I got to learn hands on about entertainment law. I hope this internship proves to be just as exciting.

*Quick Tip: Microsoft Excel. If you do not know how to use it yet, learn now. Every internship I have had requires knowledge of the use of the Excel program. Many college students have little skill in this area. It is a helpful commodity to say you know how to use it on an interview.

Internships are a great part of college as they help find the career for you, giving you a student real world experience. Our Career Center is very helpful and helped me score some of my internships, including this one, well as help me set up my resume. What is really amazing, even after you graduate, as an alumni the Career Center is there to help you throughout your career. I think it shows what lengths Hofstra goes to make you feel part of the family.

While interning three days a week in Manhattan, I will also be working Saturdays and maybe some Fridays in the admissions office, in Bernon Hall. If you have any questions about interning, the School of Communications, or Greek Life at Hofstra come in and ask.

Any other questions I would be happy to answer too!!! I am always available to talk. It is one of my favorite hobbies. Hopefully I will see you on a tour soon. :)

California College Fairs - A Huge Success!

2010-05-25T12:44:00.002-04:00

California ranks in the top ten states who send students to Hofstra each year. We certainly love our SoCal and NorCal students!

I just finished spending three weeks in California attending college fairs directed at high school juniors. I covered fifteen different college fairs . . . from as far south as San Diego, as far east as Folsom, and as far north as Rohnert Park. It was a great way to meet and speak with many students and their parents. Some were very familiar with Hofstra, its location, and areas of study, while others were learning about us for the very first time. It was refreshing to see how many students from California were interested in heading to New York for college. Popular majors for students at these college fairs included forensic science, film, engineering and marketing - all areas of study that Hofstra offers.

Many students mentioned that they would be taking advantage of summer vacation to visit east coast colleges and universities. I'd love to have you include Hofstra on your visit itinerary. We are equidistant between John F. Kennedy (JFK) and LaGuardia Airports, and New York City is only a three and a half hour drive to either Boston, Massachusetts or Washington, DC. For visit details, including scheduling an appointment for a campus tour, please see our website at www.hofstra.edu. More importantly, when you are visiting, stop by my office to say hello. I'd love to see you again "on my coast"!

First Enrollment Day of the Season

2010-05-11T10:59:00.004-04:00

The first signs of summer have arrived, and for the Office of Undergraduate Admission that means the start of our summer Enrollment Days. Any transfer students interested in attending Hofstra this upcoming fall should take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. Apply and receive an admission decision on the spot, speak to an Academic Advisement Dean about the applicability of your transfer credits, and even register for classes all in the same day! Talk about an all-inclusive event. Our Enrollment Day also serves as an orientation to Hofstra. Learn more about Student Financial Services and the Office of Student Affairs, speak to current Hofstra students about campus life and the many splendid opportunities available, tour our beautiful campus and even have your picture taken for your ID card.

Don't miss out on such an excellent opportunity! Register for one of our upcoming Enrollment Days by clicking on the following link:

http://www.hofstra.edu/Admission/adm_regevents.cfm?et=78

Hope to see you all on Tuesday, June 1 at our very first Enrollment Day of the season. I can't think of a better start to the summer than joining the Hofstra Pride!

Spring has Sprung at Hofstra!

2010-05-05T13:54:00.006-04:00

It is an absolutely gorgeous day here at Hofstra. The tulips are in bloom, and the campus is full of color. The students are gearing up to finish another year at Hofstra and it's exciting to hear about their summer plans. Some are taking classes, some are going home to spend time with their families, some are studying abroad, and some are doing internships. It's always a bittersweet time of year, knowing that they are leaving us for the summer months, but we get a whole new crew of fantastic pride guides on campus to give tours throughout the summer. Speaking of tours, we have a few upcoming events on campus I wanted to mention:

For any interested students, we have a Financing Your Education workship on Wednesday, May 12th at 7 pm. To register go to: www.hofstra.edu/admissionevent and click on the link for Financial Aid Workshops or call 1 800 Hofstra

For sophomores in high school:
Preview Day on June 6th, beginning at 9 am. For more information and to register go to www.hofstra.edu/admissionevent and click on the link for High School Sophomores or call 1 800 Hofstra

We also have summer tours and information sessions 6 days a week (7 days a week during the months of July and August), and to register go to www.hofstra.edu/visit or call 1 800 Hofstra.

We hope to see you on campus this summer!

It's Almost May 1!!!

2010-04-30T15:32:00.002-04:00

I wanted to write a quick post just to say how excited I am about the incoming Hofstra Class for Fall 2010!! We have had so many awesome applicants this year, from many different places, with various interests. I am confident that each student that decides on Hofstra will be successful here! The next exciting step after May 1 is coming on campus over the summer for New Student Orientation! At Orientation, students get to socialize with other first year students, register for classes for the Fall, and participate in many other activities. This is such a great time of year! If anyone is still making a decision, or has any questions about Hofstra, make sure to touch base with your admission counselor! You can find your counselor on hofstra.edu. I look forward to seeing Hofstra's new class on campus soon!

Two Weeks in the Middle East- Part Two

2010-04-19T16:21:00.014-04:00

Kuwait City, Kuwait

Over the last three days I have been in four different countries: The UAE, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait. We finished up our time in Dubai with an expedition into the desert, about an hour outside of the city. Professional drivers take locals and tourists alike out in four wheel drive trucks for "dune bashing-" driving up and down the dunes, hitting them at angles so that it feels like the truck will roll at any moment. It doesn't and the views of the desert are worth the trip. Part of the fun, though, is the wild ride just to get there.

The desert just outside Dubai.

On Long Island, we are very protective of our beach dunes, as they are sometimes harmed by storms and erosion into the ocean or Long Island Sound. Here, if the sand dune is driven down, the strong wind will simply move it somewhere else. The sheer size of the desert is awe-inspiring.

The next day, Friday, we travel to Muscat, Oman. Whereas the landscape of Dubai was dominated by skyscrapers, Muscat is surrounded by mountains, dotted with small watchtowers. All of the countries we will visit benefit from having large amounts of wealth, but while Muscat has its share of towers and impressive architecture, it also has a distinctly traditional feeling. We have some time to explore on Friday, as schools are closed. The weekend, here in the Gulf, is usually Friday and Saturday.

We visit one of the Sultan's palaces and the Grand Mosque-the third largest in the world. The Mosque can accomodate up to 20,000 worshippers. The building is massive, but beautifully decorative. Since images of the Prophet Muhammad or God are forbidden, intricate patterns line the walls, doorways, and windows in place of the artwork and scultures of Christians, for example. At night, we take a short trip to Old Muttrah Souq (marketplace) arriving just at sunset. We are right on the water, next to the harbor which leads out to the Gulf of Oman. You can hear the muezzin calling Muslims to pray, in a song which echoes over the entire harbor. The inside of the souq is a maze of tight passageways and alleys, with shops selling pretty much everything. One of my colleagues buys an enormous sword, decorated in silver. We spend a good long while wondering how airport security is going to feel about a sword on the plane.

Just outside one of the Sultan's palaces at sunset.

After school visits on Saturday, we depart for Manama, Bahrain. On our way to our first appointment, we make two stops. We stop for a quick picture outside the World Trade Center of Bahrain. The two buildings funnel wind toward the three wind turbines between them. This produces approximitley 15 percent of the building's electricity. This is the modern side of Bahrain-which grew out of a small village where collecting pearls was the primary employment. That was, of course, before the dicovery of oil here. Next, we visit the Grand Mosque-another spectacular building constructed right on the harbor. Bahrain is an archipelago of many islands connected by bridges of greatly varied size. Small traditional boats called dhows still fill the waterways during the day, with fisherman coming and going for the day's catch.

Manama's World Trade Center

There's a lot to tell about Kuwait, but we don't have much time to spend exploring the city, with our busy schedule. Like the other cities we have visited, there is construction everywhere as the city builds up and out. On our way back from visiting a high shcool, we were able to stop by the Kuwait Towers, which serve as a water tower andrestaurant, and offer incredible views of the city. At night, we came back and had dinner in the restaurant-an enormous buffet of traditional dishes. I finally have Baba Ganoush! As wewalk in, we wonder why most of the tables were reserved. Just as we are about to leave, 100 or more very important men and women began crowding into the restaurant. The guard at the elevator explains-This was a dinner being hosted by the Prime Minister! Personally, I plan on bending the truth a little when I get home and telling friends I had dinner with the Prime Minister of Kuwait.

After Kuwait, we're off to Amman, Jordan and Beirut, Lebanon. More on that later, but also look out for my last posting after this weekend-from our day trip to Petra, Jordan. You'll understand why when you see the pictures and immediatley recognize what movie was filmed there.

Follow me on Facebook at http://www.thefacebook.com/Jack.HofstraAdmissions or email me at mailto:John.Nelson@Hofstra.edu. Happy Trails!

TWO WEEKS IN THE MIDDLE EAST- Part One

2010-04-14T15:58:00.007-04:00

Greetings from Dubai, UAE!

I'm Jack Nelson, Associate Dean for International Recruitment at Hofstra. Once again, I am on the road representing our university far away from home. This time, I am in the Middle East, visiting the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, The Sultanate of Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon and Jordan-all of those places in just two weeks. Consequently, I've spent a whole lot of time in airplanes and, while in the air, watched a lot of movies. I couldn't bring myself to watch Avatar on a tiny, little airplane screen, though. That seems wrong, somehow.

I arrived in Dubai just before midnight this past Sunday. I always try to get a window seat on planes so I can get a bird's eye view of the city as we're landing. Even in the middle of the night from thousands of feet up, you can tell that Dubai is something incredible. The city is spread out like it was planned from start to finish, with an intricate pattern of orange-lighted highways and white-lighted residential areas radiating from the city center. From that high up, you can't tell where the water of the Persian Gulf ends and the sands of the desert begin, so the lights of Dubai at night make it look like the whole city is floating in the sea. It's an unbelieveable sight.

Everything about Dubai is big and brand new. As a New Yorker, I never get tired of looking at the skyline of NYC. The architecture of Dubai, though, is something to behold. The guide leading my colleagues and I on our tour referred to the city as "an architect's playground." It is only within the last 20 years or so that Dubai has truly boomed and so Dubai's builders have benefitted from technology never before available to a city constructing itself from the ground up. Skyscrpaers rise at angles which you would think impossible. It's not just the Dubai 50 floors up which is impressive, though. Every few minutes, soaker hoses buried in the ground let out streams of water to feed the abundent flowers and trees. The rulers of Dubai wanted to create a garden in the desert and so they have miraculously turned an vast expanse of sand into a metropolis with palm trees to rival California.

"The Waterfall" in the Dubai Mall.

We visited the world's largest shopping mall, the Dubai Mall, which is home to over 1000 stores, an ice rink, an aquarium and the world's largest candy store. There are stores with names I've never heard of, which I assume means I can't afford whatever it is they are selling. Walking through the mall is like walking down Fifth Avenue in New York. Just outside the mall is a massive man-made pool where, every 20 minutes, a water show by the same designers as the Bellagio in Las Vegas takes place. The water cannons? you guessed it, the most powerful in the world.

The awesome power of the Dubai Fountain water cannons, which shoot up to 500 feet (50 stories) into the air, all set to a light and music show every 20 minutes.

Right next door to the mall is the Burj Khalifa, which was named in honor of the ruler of the UAE, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Just how tall is it? Say it with me now-it's the tallest building, structure, tower, or man-made thing ever constructed anywhere ... ever. At 2,717 feet, it dwarfs the CN Tower, the former world's tallest freestanding structure at 1,815 feet. To put things in perspective-and my fellow New Yorkers can appreciate this-visit the Empire State Building, one of the most iconic buildings in the world. Go all the way to the top and you're at 1,250 feet. You are now less than half of the way up to the top of the Burj Khalifa.

The Burj Khalifa. It's three-pointed base was inspired by the Hymenocallis petal- a desert flower.

The views from the observation deck are impossible to describe and, on our way out of the building, I couldn't help noticing that everything still smelled like wet paint. The tower isn't complete yet, but I think it's a good analogy for this city. As I said, it all looks like it was built last week-and contruction continues everywhere. At one point, 20% of the cranes in the world dotted the skyline of Dubai. Where did this all come from? 80% of Dubai's 1.3 million people are from other countries and are non-citizens so the city is a melting pot, actually very similar to New York during the days of the huge immigration through Ellis Island. Foreign investment as well as the wealth of its own people and the sheer vision and determination of its leaders to build everything biggest and best have completely reshaped Dubai in a very short time. (Coming soon-the world's largest airport. Sorry, Atlanta.)

Talk about cross cultural- we had Dim Sum at the fountain-side restaurant on the left.

Getting around is amazingly simple. Everything is written in English as well as Arabic and walking through the large, public areas is kind of like being in Disney World-there are simply people here from everywhere. The students here have been excited to meet with my colleagues and I and the welcome we have received at their beautiful schools has been incredible. If you haven't had the chance, come here at least once. The trip has been absoluteley been worth it and, if the last 10 years are any indication, Dubai will continue to grow up onward and upward.

One quick thing before we leave, though, Dubai .. You may have topped our New York skyline-but I dare you to beat our pizza.

Coming in my next entry-Abu Dhabi (UAE) Doha (Qatar) and our desert safari. The journey continues on Facebook at www.thefacebook.com/Jack.HofstraAdmissons

Happy trails,

Jack

My Wishlist of Classes

2010-04-06T11:48:00.004-04:00

As I'm sure you've heard from many people as you're looking at colleges, there are many differences between high school and college. One of the differences I certainly looked forward to was the chance to take classes that interest you. Thus, I'd like to present my wish list of the Top 5 classes I'd like to take at Hofstra - best of all, all of these classes satisfy our liberal arts requirements:

5. Why Chimps don't drive Ferraris (Anthropology)

4. Art Is Really Dangerous (Fine Arts)

3. Baseball in America (History, with field trips to Yankee Stadium, Citi Field and local minor league games!)

2. The Sustainable Life: A Citizen's Guide to Ethics and Sustainability (Philosophy)

1. Broadway (and More) (Drama, with field trips to NYC!)

Click here for more information on these or any of our other First-Year Connections courses!

Setting Yourself Up For Success

2010-04-01T14:08:00.004-04:00

When a student is looking into colleges during their senior year of high school, they typically look for schools based on size, location, different majors and a variety of other factors. One that is often overlooked, however, is how that school can assist you in finding employment or additional educational opportunities once you graduate. That is where The Career Center at Hofstra University comes into play. Offering services to students and alumni, there is a lot going on at The Career Center that is of great value to Hofstra students.
Services for Students: Career development is not something that should only start in the senior year of college. Instead, it should be a process that has already started when you enter college, that continues to occur until you graduate. The Career Center assists students in developing resumes, cover letters and thank you letters, as well as providing guidance for the interview process. Within the walls of The Career Center, you will also find online libraries of part-time, full-time and internship opportunities. As a former student, I remember stopping by for their career workshops, as well as a few appointments each semester with a career counselor. This was something that smoothed my transition when I started looking for full-time employment.
Services for Alumni: The great thing about The Career Center is that it is not only available to you until you graduate...you have it at your fingertips until you retire! If after a few years you feel like doing something different with your career, you can still attend individual appointments with a counselor, come to the job and internship fairs offered throughout the year, and utilize the online resources available through their website.
It is very important that the school you choose has the resources necessary to equip you for life after college. I can speak from experience when saying that Hofstra's Career Center passes this requirement with flying colors. To see a comprehensive list of their services, visit:
http://www.hofstra.edu/StudentAffairs/StudentServices/Career/index.html

April Showers bring May Flowers

2010-03-30T09:02:00.004-04:00

The saying “April Showers brings May Flowers” came a month early to the Northeast. The New York Metropolitan area has been saturated by rain over the past 3 weeks. Central Park has received 8.28 inches of rain in the month of March. These storms have also created hurricane force winds that have damaged people’s homes, down power lines and has totaled many vehicles across the region. Residents in central New Jersey along the Raritan River are still drying out as the Raritan River rose to 33 feet, which is 5 feet above its flood stage.

The early storms in March means one of two things: the northeast is in for a long, wet, dreary, 2 months, or the flowers will be in full bloom earlier than expected! Here at Hofstra University we are hoping for the latter. Hofstra University is a national Arboretum. Hofstra currently has 625 different species of trees with a grand total of 12,000 trees on its campus. The 120 year old Cercidiphyllum japonicum is the oldest tree on campus. There are thousands of daffodils that bloom in late March and early April and then the most excited time to visit campus is in May when the tulips bloom.

Hofstra University has strong roots in the Dutch culture, and sticking to the Dutch tradition of tulips, Hofstra University will plant 1 new tulip for ever new student that arrives to campus. There are over 150 different types of tulips on our campus. In late April and early May these tulips are in full bloom. If you are on campus please make time to visit these tulips which are located in between the south side of Dempster hall and the north side of the Seryl and Charles Kushnew Hall (School of Law).

The age old question people ask is "when is the best time to visit your campus?" I answer that question with “any time you are able to visit Hofstra you are guaranteed to see a tree or plant in its full bloom. Whether it is the dead of winter or in the dog days of summer, Hofstra is always blooming. We hope to see you on campus soon and we hope to plant a tulip for you soon!

Adventures around Boston!

2010-03-26T22:45:00.002-04:00

This weekend I'm up just outside of Boston staying in Natick, Massachusetts to do a few college fairs on behalf of Hofstra. This is my first time back in the Boston area since the fall, and I have to say I truly missed it! I spent the day going to my favorite Thai restaurant in Wellesley, MA and then shopping away at "The Natick Collection". Luckily, I had a beautiful day and finished it up by sitting in the sun for a little while. I'll be up in New England for most of the month of April and I'm looking forward to spreading the good Hofstra word around town!

Speaking of New England, just a reminder that we have our Boston area Admitted Student Reception coming up just around the corner! Again, that's scheduled for Tuesday, April 6th @ 7pm in Burlington, MA. We'll also be hosting a Junior Off-Campus Informational Session on the same date starting at 4:30pm. It seems everyday now I get an excited e-mail from a student from my territories of New England or Colorado so excited that they've made the decision to attend Hofstra this fall. It's great when I can "officially" welcome someone to the Hofstra Family!

Hope to see you "New Englanders" around town in the next few weeks!

Run Hofstra Run!

2010-03-26T14:54:00.005-04:00

The snow has melted, birds are singing, flowers are blooming. That can only mean one thing… it’s time to break out the running shoes! Not that running in the Winter isn’t fun too, but there’s something about springtime that makes you want to get up and go and Long Island is the perfect place to be for all kinds of outdoor hobbies. Whether running is a hobby, workout or passion that you pursue with eerie zeal (ahem, like THIS guy) there are many, many options to chose from including quiet paths, urban tracks and, of course, the beach. Here are some of my personal favorites:

- Right here on campus- Hofstra’s 240 acre campus is a scenic arboretum and botanical garden. This time of year it’s perfect for running a few miles. Also, we just spent over one million dollars updating our recreation facilities so you can certainly go grab a few quick miles on a treadmill- maybe even between classes! In addition to our Division 1 cross country teams, there are also several clubs dedicated to running.

-Eisenhower Park- (above) Home to the Long Island Road Runners Club which holds races almost every Sunday morning, Eisenhower Park is right up the road from Hofstra (you might as well run there) and has trails at every possible distance. There’s also a golf course, riding stables, picnic areas and an aquatic center.

-The Beach!- Hofstra’s campus is only ten miles from the ocean. Which beach, you ask? Take your pick. As long as there’s sand, you’re free to run on it. For something more challenging, try the north shore. The glacier that created Long Island left behind a 110-mile long rocky stretch of bluffs and towering dunes. You can’t beat the scenery

.-Sunken Meadow State Park- (above) About 45 minutes from Hofstra, accessible by car or train and taxi. Anyone who has ever run high school cross country in Suffolk County, LI has probably spent as much time on these courses as they have in their own backyard. Cardiac Hill is considered one of the meanest obstacles on the East Coast. The good news? When you’re done training, you can jump in the Long Island Sound to cool off.

-New York City- One of the most runner-friendly cities in the world and home to The New York City Marathon, the Runner’s World editors’ top pick for any marathon, anywhere. Head to the Bronx and Van Cortlandt Park to run Cemetery Hill, another one of America’s most revered and feared challenges. Check out The Armory, hailed as “the fastest track in the world.” Notice the wooden floors in the hallways, dotted with millions of little holes from the thousands of athletes who have worn spikes indoors while warming up. And of course, Central Park needs no description.

-And finally, The 500 meter Starbucks Dash- That’s approximately the distance from my office to Café on the Quad, here on campus. This event happens frequently, all are welcome.

Want to know more? For running, check out http://www.lirunning.com/ for a great race calendar.If you feel like moving at a slightly more leisurely pace, try http://www.hike-li.org/ to find out all about hiking here on Long Island. Also, be sure to follow our men's and women's cross country teams at http://www.gohofstra.com/!

Happy trails!

Hofstra in DC!!

2010-03-23T17:30:00.002-04:00

After a full weekend of events on campus, I wanted to remind students of all of the other upcoming events off campus as well. Libby mentioned in her last post about all the exciting options to visit campus as well as the off campus options. As the Admission Counselor for the Mid-Atlantic, I wanted to let everyone know about the upcoming off campus reception we’re hosting in Bethesda, MD. For those of you in the D.C. area, we will be holding a reception for Admitted Students and Juniors on Saturday, April 17th. Myself, another Admission Counselor as well as a current Hofstra student will be in attendance in order to answer any questions you may have about Hofstra. It’s a great opportunity for you to meet other admitted students and also speak with our current student to really get a feel of what is like to be a Hofstra student. You may register for the event at www.hofstra.edu/asd for admitted students and www.hofstra.edu/admissionevent for interested juniors. You may also RSVP by calling 1800-HOFSTRA. Looking forward to seeing you in the DC area!!

How to make your college visit a memorable one? A summary of events for Hofstra University

2010-03-23T11:59:00.009-04:00

Previously, I spoke to you about visiting the campus on an everyday basis, but today I will speak to you about special events that happen throughout the year. You will typically be able to register for any of these events by going to the following website, www.hofstra.edu/admissionevent, and then clicking on the tab that is relevant for you (i.e., events for transfer students, high school juniors etc.).

I have broken this down by year, which will help you get a feel for what is available for you as you continue your high school and/or college experience.

High School Sophomores

Preview Day: Typically held in late May or early June, this event is a chance for students to get a jump start on the college admissions process. It is meant to be a fun and informative introduction to admissions, with workshops about the timeline of college admissions, with an interactive tour of campus.

High School Juniors

Spring Open House: Held at the end of April, this event provides juniors with the opportunity to hear from professors about their intended academic area of interest, learning more about the college selection process, take a tour of campus, and navigate web-based education financing tools.

Off-Campus Receptions: Typically held in March and April, these events are opportunities for you to visit with Hofstra representatives in your own region. Receptions are held in San Diego, CA; Manhattan Beach, CA; San Francisco, CA; Philadelphia, PA; Boston, MA; and Washington, D.C.

High School Seniors

Dean’s Days: Usually held in the fall, these days are a more intimate look at the university. Campus tours are available, along with an in-depth look at the student services on campus (e.g. study abroad, advisement, student financial services), as well as an opportunity to meet with deans of the academic departments.

Fall Open House: Typically held at the end of October, this event is for seniors to get access to many of the academic offerings available on campus (we typically have most of the majors represented at this event), tour the campus and residence halls, speak to admission and financial aid representatives, and listen to a student panel.

Admitted Student Days: Held in the spring, these events are geared towards providing our admitted students with one last look at the university before making that ever important college decision. Highlights include: campus and residence hall tours, Hofstra’s PreUnion (a chance for students to meet one another in an informal setting), Hofstra’s Parent and Family Programs Parent Panel, meeting with student services on campus, touring the physical fitness facilities and more! We usually have 2-3 weekend events, as well as several weekday programs.

Off-Campus Receptions: Like those held for juniors in high school, we provide opportunities for seniors to visit with members of the Hofstra community at a location near you. These are located in cities around the country: Bethesda, MD; San Diego, CA; Manhattan Beach, CA; San Francisco, CA; Burlington, MA; Philadelphia, PA; and Chicago, IL.

Transfer Students

Transfer students are able to attend any of the above events, and will have the opportunity to hear more about the university as it applies to transfer students. Additionally, the following are on-campus events specifically geared towards transfer students:

Transfer Open House: Held once in the fall and in the spring, where students can learn about the transfer admission process, take a campus tour, receive a preliminary credit evaluation, and speak to advisers about their intended area of interest.

Enrollment Orientation Days: Held in the winter for the spring term and the spring for the fall term, where students can apply to the university and receive an admissions decision. If admitted, students are then given a preliminary credit evaluation, along with hearing presentations from advisement and student affairs. Lastly, if they wish, they can register for classes for the upcoming semester.

Hopefully this helps give you a better idea of what events are available to visit on and off-campus. We hope to see you on campus sometime this year!

Hofstra "Rocks" California Like An Earthquake!

2010-03-23T10:26:00.002-04:00

Current Hofstra junior, Andrew Schuetz and I traveled to California to host receptions for admitted students. Andrew is an entrepreneurship major, originally from Washington State, who shared his experiences with the audience of admitted students and their parents - giving them great advice about why he chose to attend Hofstra, why its been a great experience for him and how he has grown as a leader during his tenure at the University. He also dispensed practical advice - where to buy the most fashionable "winter clothing", where to store your belongings over the summer, what a New York winter is really like, and how easy it is to navigate public transportation to get into New York City. Traveling with a current Hofstra student makes my job really, really easy :)

We saw 6 admitted students in San Diego, 21 in Los Angeles and 15 in San Francisco!

Andrew and I met many students who had already visited campus and others who will be making an "east coast" road trip during their spring break to visit all of the schools that they are considering attending. Our office will be filled with Californians between now and the end of April and we're "loving it". Our current Hofstra students from the west coast really enjoy playing host to admitted students from their part of the country. We've already had two students from the San Diego reception come visit us this past week. Very cool!

Even though it was cloudy in San Diego, cold in Los Angeles and rainy in San Francisco, (what's up with that?) the sunny spirit of our admitted students made our receptions an absolute pleasure. We loved every minute of our trip to the west coast and hope that everyone that we met will decide to come to Hofstra this fall. We'd love to have you on "our coast"!!

Admitted Student's Day

2010-03-03T11:20:00.004-05:00

All of your applications are complete; you have ACCEPTANCE letters in your possession! Now what? Now is the time to visit those schools to get a better feeling if that institution is the best fit for you!

Admitted Student's Day is one of the last opportunities you will have to ask all of those burning questions, and to decide if Hofstra University will be your "home away from home" for the next 4 years!

During Hofstra's Admitted Student's Day, families have the opportunity to meet with faculty, staff, tour campus, and meet with the Student Financial Services. The best part of the day is when we separate the students from the parents. The students will be able to meet fellow admitted students and trade Facebook information. During the Class of 2014 Pre-Union students may meet their future roommate for the next 4 years.

Students are not the only ones joining the Hofstra community. While the students are meeting their future classmates, parents will be able to connect with current parents who are deeply connected to the Hofstra community. This is a chance for parents to understand what it is like to be a proud parent of a Hofstra student!

Admitted Student's Day is a day for the whole family to experience. We know that we are gaining a student, but we are also gaining a whole family into our community! We hope you take advantage of getting to know Hofstra a lot more than you already do by attending one of our Admitted Student's Day in March or April!

So Many Opportunitites!

2010-02-26T15:21:00.005-05:00

Hey there! My name is Kathryn Chlosta and I am new to the blogging scene (or perhaps just fashionably late!) I am a sophomore dual degree major in business economics and political science, with a minor in information technology.

One thing that I must emphasize is that the college experience does not end when class ends! Class is only one aspect of college, so it is really important to have a understanding of what is offered beyond the classroom. This is one of the reasons why I chose Hofstra...we have so many on-campus activities. There is something for everyone!

I am involved with a number of on-campus organization, one of them being the Hofstra University Model United Nations Club. Last week (in the midst of a snowstorm), eighteen HUMUNC delegates attended the Harvard National Model United Nations Conference in Boston, MA. This year, HUMUNC represented the Kingdom of the Netherlands. I served on the Legal Committee. We addressed the legitimacy of the ICC (International Criminal Court) and head-of-state immunity.

Nearly 3,000 college and university delegates from the US and over 35 countries around the world attended HNMUN to discuss a multitude of issues at the forefront of international relations. Through tireless preparation for the conference, each delegate developed expertise in research, writing, public speaking, and the art of negotiation as they fight for the interests of countries they represent on topics relevant in today’s global community.
Highlights of the conference included crisis simulations, multimedia presentations, and guest lectures by distinguished speakers both within and outside of the Harvard community.

It was truly an unforgettable experience and I cannot wait to begin preparation for additional conferences! (World Model UN here we come?!) I also cannot wait for the Going Global Day on March 3, 2010 @ Hofstra!

Hofstra Comes to California in early March!

2010-02-23T10:43:00.003-05:00

Are you from California? Are you a student who has been admitted to Hofstra? If so, please plan to join us at one of our three admitted student receptions that we are hosting in your "sunny" state, out on "your" coast. Our receptions are designed to be fun, casual and informative. I will be traveling with a current Hofstra student who will be able to answer all of your questions and provide you with great information about what it's like to be a West Coast student studying in New York. Parents are welcome to join us too, but it's fine to come by yourself if you prefer.

Receptions will be held:

Tuesday, March 9
San Diego at the Marriott Del Mar

Wednesday, March 10
Los Angeles at the Marriott Manhattan Beach

Thursday, March 11
San Francisco at the Marriott San Mateo

Come join us and hear what Hofstra is all about without having to jump on a plane!

To RSVP for one of the receptions, please go to www.hofstra.edu/asd or call us at 1-800-HOFSTRA to reserve your spot over the phone.

We look forward to seeing and spending time with you on "your coast"!!

Boston Area Admitted Student Reception!! April 6th - 7pm

2010-02-22T14:34:00.004-05:00

Did you know that Hofstra hosts off-campus receptions all over the country? This spring, I'm headed back to Boston, my home away from home (I really am a "New Englander" at heart!), to host our Admitted Student Reception in Burlington, MA, scheduled for the evening of April 6th to start at 7pm. The best part about this event is that prospective students can meet potential future classmates, roommates and carpool buddies in addition to having all their Hofstra related questions answered.

Go to www.hofstra.edu/asd to register! Not from New England? No worries! All of our Off-Campus Receptions can be found at that website. See if Hofstra is coming to a city near you!

Presidents' Week!

2010-02-19T16:19:00.001-05:00

It's been a busy week at the Admissions Office! We've been doing two tours a day every day, and I've had the opportunity to meet so many lovely families and potential Hofstra students! We had no classes on Monday and Tuesday of this week, and I can't say I didn't love the time off. I spent Monday working in the office, and on Tuesday, I took the LIRR into the city for an internship interview!
I was really proud of myself for getting to the train station on time, getting to the city, and getting to the building where my interview was without getting lost once (and in the snow, no less!) This was my first time going into the city by myself, and I felt like such a grown up! :) My interview went really well - the woman who interviewed me seemed very impressed with my extra curricular activities and the projects I've been doing in my classes. I told her about a paper I recently wrote for my Public Relations Research class about publics and mission statements. I also got to talk about Pulse magazine, the campus-wide magazine I'm a part of. Every semester, the Magazine Production class acts as the staff of Pulse and puts out an issue. This semester, our theme is "100 Things to Do before you Die." I've been able to interview Furious Pete, a champion competitive eater, and Andrew Zimmern of the Travel Channel's "Bizarre Foods." The magazine is coming along really well, and even though it's a lot of work, it's so much fun! And I love being a part of something that everyone on campus will be able to read in May.
But anyway, my interview was great, like I said. The woman who interviewed me at Serino Coyne basically said she wants to expand the internship program into the Creative Department, which is where I'd like to intern. She told me that if she gets the okay to expand the program, I'll be first in line for the internship. I have to check back with her in a couple of weeks, but I'm really hoping it works out!
I can't believe my interview was only on Tuesday - it seems like ages ago! Tonight is opening night for the Vagina Monologues, and I really can't wait! The cast has become so close, we're like a family; it's going to be sad when it's all over! All of my friends are coming to see the show; I even have a friend from home coming down from New Paltz. It's going to be great. Wish me luck! :)

-Jade Keena
Public Relations & Creative Writing majour

Transfer Open House Fast Approaching

2010-02-15T10:40:00.003-05:00

Interested in transferring to Hofstra for the fall semester? A great opportunity awaits you! The Office of Undergraduate Admission is hosting a Transfer Open House on Friday, March 12 from 10am-2pm.

Learn all about the transfer application process and receive additional information about financial aid and student affairs. Find out about Hofstra's 145+ academic programs and tour our beautiful campus. Speak to administrators and ask current students all about their lives as members of the Hofstra Pride.

Please remember to bring transcripts from previously attended institutions in order to receive an unofficial credit evaluation and speak to an Academic Advisement Dean about the applicability of your transfer credits.

Check-in starts at 10am at the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center, North Campus. I hope to see you all there!

How can I make my college visit a memorable one-what visit opportunities does Hofstra offer?

2010-02-13T10:42:00.005-05:00

My first two blogs focused on researching your college visit and determining the best time to visit your choices, but this one will be about the opportunities that Hofstra University can provide. Below you will see a listing of some of our visit opportunities for both incoming freshmen and transfer students and their families. For more information, you can refer to this website: www.hofstra.edu/admission.

Information Session: A session led by an admission counselor, in which prospective students and families have the opportunity to learn about Hofstra University’s academics, admissions, and student life. These are available Monday through Friday throughout the year at 10:15 am and 2:00 pm (1:00 pm on Fridays in the summer). These sessions are also available on most Saturdays at 9:30 am and 11 am, and on some Sundays at 10:00 am. To register for this visit, please go to www.hofstra.edu/visit or call 1 800 Hofstra.
Tour: A walking tour of our campus led by one of our student pride guides, providing prospective students and their families with a current student’s perspective about the history our university, the layout of the campus, and student life. The tour includes several stops, such as our student center, the playhouse, and a residence hall. They are available following the information sessions throughout the year at 11:15 am and 3:00 pm Monday through Friday, at 10:30 am and 12 pm on most Saturdays, and at 11:00 am on some Sundays. To arrange this type of visit, please go to www.hofstra.edu/visit or call 1 800 Hofstra.
Individual Appointment: An informational, but not evaluative, meeting with an admissions counselor, providing the prospective student with the opportunity to put a face to his or her application, and ask questions one-on-one with an admissions dean. These are available with on Monday through Friday, so please call 1 800 Hofstra to set up your appointment.
Coffee with a Pride Guide: An opportunity for a prospective student to spend a few minutes speaking with a pride guide before or after the information session and tour. It is offered at 12:45 pm on weekdays and from 9-11 am on Saturdays. Availability is limited, so please check when you arrive on campus at the front desk.
Hofstra Up Close: Hofstra University’s student-for-a-day program, which provides prospective students with the chance to spend some time with a student host in their area of academic interest during the fall and spring semesters. Activities include and are not limited to: attending classes, meeting faculty and staff in your area of academic interest, exploring opportunities to get involved in clubs and organizations, and eating lunch with a current student. This program requires advance notice of at least 2 weeks and priority is given to high school seniors and transfer students. To request this visit opportunity, please go to www.hofstra.edu/upclose, or call our voicemail line 516-463-6798, so we can match the prospective student with a host.
Transfer Center Appointment: A chance for transfer students to meet with both an admissions counselor and an advisor, in order to find out how credits from their current institution(s) will apply to the degree programs at Hofstra University. The program has limited availability, so please call 1 800 Hofstra in advance to schedule your appointment.

The above visit opportunities are one way you can visit Hofstra University during the year. My next blog will cover all of our admission events available on and off campus, such as fall open house, admitted student days, and off-campus receptions.

I love Snow Days!

2010-02-12T15:56:00.000-05:00

Wednesday was our first snow day of the school year, and it was great! I didn't get to enjoy it too much, though, because I had rehearsal from 4:00 - 11:00. I spent the whole day in the Cultural Center Theatre! I'm in this year's production of the Vagina Monologues, which is a play meant to highlight the opinions of various women and, in some instances, the hardships that many women and girls face. The play is funny and exciting, but also very sad in some places. One of my favourite things about the Vagina Monologues is that every dollar we raise from teeshirt and ticket sales goes directly to Nassau Coalition Against Domestic Violence. I'm happy to be a part of such a great cause, helping women and girls who are victims of domestic violence. Rehearsal was a lot of fun, even though it felt endless. The show opens next Friday (a week from today!) and I can't wait!
I was sad to have missed out on Wednesday's snow day, especially because I don't have any classes on Wednesdays, so the day was kind of wasted on me. But then, something wonderful happened! We got a delayed opening Thursday! I was able to sleep in, and didn't have to go to 3 of my 5 classes. It was excellent.

Lately I've been working on finding an internship for the summer. I really want to work at an advertising agency in the city. One of my professors put me in touch with an alumna who works as a copywriter at Ralph Lauren, and we've been talking about the profession and what it's like via email. She's given me a lot of great advice about internships and copywriting in general. I've spent the past couple of weeks emailing advertising agencies within walking distance from Penn Station, and got an email back just the other day! Now, I have an interview on Tuesday morning with Serino Coyne, an agency that advertises exclusively for Broadway shows. I'm nervous and really psyched. I'll update again on Wednesday about how the interview went. Talk to you soon, blog and blog readers!

-Jade Keena
Sophomore
PR and Creative Writing majour

Snow Day - What to do?

2010-02-10T12:15:00.004-05:00

Top 5 things to do on campus in the snow today (other than study):

5. Build a snowman on the quad with your roommates!

4. Ping Pong Tournament in the Student Center Game Room

3. Pool Tournament in the Student Center Game Room

2. Twilight: New Moon - two FREE showings

1. Men's Basketball vs. Drexel at 7 p.m.

Stay safe and warm wherever you are!

"Night of Broadway Stars" Benefit Performance

2010-02-08T12:43:00.003-05:00

This past Saturday, I had the privilege of attending a Support Our Scholarships benefit concert in the Adams Playhouse at Hofstra. It was an event to honor '82 Hofstra Alum, Joseph Corcoran, who, among other things, founded TheaterMania.com. The four stars that headlined the concert were some of Broadway's finest. Ron Bohmer, whom I recently saw as Father in Ragtime on Broadway, started the show with "Oh What A Night" from Jersey Boys. What a perfect way to start the concert! Carter Calvert flawlessly performed "Don't Rain on my Parade" from Funny Girl. A really cool treat was when Carter Calvert and Rita Harvey performed a duet from the honoree's newest project, a musical version of Doctor Zhivago set to open in Australia in 2011. One of my favorite moments of the performance was Craig Schulman's rendition of "This is the Moment", from Jekyll and Hyde. He truly is a Broadway superstar, having performed as the Phantom (The Phantom of the Opera), Jean Valjean (Les Miserables), and Jekyll and Hyde (Jekyll and Hyde). Rita Harvey, who played Christine Daae in The Phantom of the Opera, beautifully performed "Think of Me" from Phantom. To close out a night of music from West Side Story, The Phantom of the Opera, Jersey Boys, Jekyll and Hyde, Les Miserables, and many more, Craig Shulman and Rita Harvey performed the entire "Music of the Night" scene from The Phantom of the Opera. As a great encore, the four performers sang "Seasons of Love" from Rent.

Although the general public had to pay for their tickets, some Hofstra students got the awesome opportunity to attend this event completely free. What an great way to spend a Saturday night!

Bryan Chess
Drama Production Major

School of Communication Opportunities

2010-02-08T10:19:00.003-05:00

In my travels, I meet many prospective students who ask me what kind of opportunities Hofstra offers in the field of communication. Fortunately, there is much to tell them, because as a student in Hofstra’s School of Communication you are able to choose from a wide variety of different majors, extracurricular activities, and internship opportunities. Whether your dream is to be the next big radio disc jockey, news anchor or filmmaker, you are taught by professors who are still connected to the field while using the latest technology and software. Not only does Hofstra boast the largest non-commercial sound stage on Long Island (where many different productions are filmed), but is also home to Long Island’s oldest non-commercial radio station, WRHU, having broadcast for more than 50 years with over 42 different musical formats. I’d like to tell you about some of the other great organizations that exist within the School of Communication.

· For those of you interested in speech and debate, the Forensics Speech and Debate team is open to all Hofstra undergraduates, regardless of major or previous experience. It’s never too late to get involved!
· HEATnetwork (Hofstra Entertainment Access Television network) is a student-run organization that produces original television programming, as well as informational programming. While extent of participation is based on prior experience, it is also open to any television enthusiast within Hofstra University.
· For those students going into the field of public relations, PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) exists to enhance the student’s knowledge of the field and to assist in providing professional development opportunities once they graduate. Open to PR majors, it is a valuable organization to be in.

A comprehensive list of clubs and organizations can be found by visiting our website, though I’d recommend an on-campus tour to see it up close. If you are at all considering the field of communication, make Hofstra your first campus visit!

Thoughts about the beginning of a new semester

2010-02-04T09:41:00.002-05:00

This semester I am taking 100% major classes. I am very excited about my classes, but at the same time, I know I will be very busy! Three out of my five classes are education classes, so I will be doing A LOT of reading and writing A LOT of lessons, but I know it will be great practice for student teaching and my future as an educator. I am actually really enjoying the lesson creating so far. I never like to take the easy way out, so I love trying to find creative ways to teach my "students". It is also nice because finding these creative ways to give lessons has given me a great amount of confidence about my future as a teacher. Knowing I can be creative makes me say to myself, "wow, I can actually do this, and I can do this pretty well. I am going to be a good teacher". It is amazing that I have gained this much confidence in just two short weeks!

Another thing that is helping to build my confidence as a teacher is the fact that I am a Peer Teacher this semester. The Peer Teacher program at Hofstra is essentially a Teaching Assistant program. I am not sure how Teaching Assistant programs work at other schools, but I am really enjoying the Peer Teacher program here at Hofstra. As a Peer Teacher I am working with a professor who I have had previously for two other classes and she is also my major advisor. I am Peer Teaching a Spanish 4 class, which is the highest level of Spanish before students begin advanced classes. I am honored that my professor finds me competent enough to work with higher level classes. I will be leading discussions about readings and video shorts from the book as well as creating my own lessons to discuss throughout the semester. I will never be teaching an entire class or grading papers, because that is not what the Peer Teaching programs are all about. It is more about giving the students another outlet, maybe someone they are more comfortable talking to or coming to with a problem. Also, the Peer Teacher can bring in a fresh perspective on the material from the curriculum and get some practice teaching.

I have my first lesson that I am giving today where I will be discussing a reading they had to do from the book. I discussed the plan with my professor and put together an outline. I can't wait to have my first real experience with teaching a real lesson, it is such great practice for me. After today I am going to be preparing for my lesson next week which I am designing completely myself. I chose a video that I want to show clips from for discussion based on the focus of the chapter for that week. It is so much fun being able to think of, prepare, and create a lesson all on my own. I will be VERY busy this semester, but I don't think that being so busy is such a bad thing!

Got Jobs?

2010-02-02T15:37:00.002-05:00

Job opportunities seem to be a topic on many minds lately; especially in the recent financial struggle of so many Americans. People are losing jobs left and right due to this country’s economy and many recent college graduates are having a hard time starting their careers. With the help of the Hofstra Career Center, many of our students are receiving the help they need to kick start their careers even while still in school! Planning your ideal career is not something that happens in a blink of an eye during your senior year at college. In fact, it is an ongoing process that requires brain storming, career awareness, self assessment, important decision making and execution. The Hofstra Career Center provides the assistance needed to find career opportunities for our students by building the necessary connections beyond their Hofstra experience.
The Career Center can assist students with:
· Selecting or refining career objectives and establishing goals
· Developing resumes and cover letters
· Finding and applying for internships, part-time and full-time employment
· Interviewing skills and related guidance
· And much more!

Don't Let the Spring Semester Pass You By Without Doing This....

2010-02-01T16:40:00.003-05:00

Okay, so you're a week or so into your Spring 2010 classes and all you are thinking of is "I want the summer to be here already!" Well before you know it, the sun will be shining and these 10 degree temperatures will be no more! But, don't forget that if you are thinking of transferring to Hofstra for the Fall 2010 semester, ACT NOW - Don't wait for the warm sun to be upon you!

Although we have rolling admission, which means we will accept your application at any time, we would recommend that you apply by March 1st at the latest. This includes filling out a transfer application online at www.hofstra.edu and sending in your transcripts from all colleges attended. And remember, if you have less than 24 credits on the college level after H.S. we would need to see your H.S. transcript and SAT/ACT scores to render a decision. I am already busy at my desk reading applications for transfer students, so don't let the spring semester pass you by without thinking about your future!

In addition to applying to Hofstra as a transfer student; I invite you to visit our beautiful campus and learn more about the transfer process at our TRANSFER OPEN HOUSE on Friday,
March 12, 2010 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. To RSVP just log on to www.hofstra.edu/admissionevent and click on "Events for Transfer Students."

Good luck with your Spring semester!! :)

What are your Summer Plans?

2010-01-28T15:20:00.003-05:00

Even though we are in the middle of the cold, dark, winter months, the conversations are slowly starting about everyone's summer plans. People thinking about their weekends out in Montauk, trips to Vermont, and even some talk about heading down to the Jersey Shore.

There has been one constant question being asked in the office; "What courses are you taking this summer?" Yes, even the Admission Counselors are taking classes in the summer time to further their education whether it is a Masters in Education or an MBA program here at Hofstra University.

I am sure the juniors and sophomores out there are not thinking about their summer plans just yet, or if you are, you are thinking about your summer job, or even that family vacation to Disney World. There is one event you should take advantage of, the Hofstra Summer Pre-College Program.

The Hofstra Summer Pre-College Program is a program designed for rising seniors and juniors to be a college student for 4 weeks during the summer. This program allows you to take 1 Hofstra Undergraduate Course for 3 credits that you can take with you no matter where you attend school in the near future (hopefully that credit stays here at HOFSTRA!!) The program will allow you to get a true feeling on what it is like to life as a college student by living in our dorms, talking to our professors, and best of all, eating the food on campus.

I would encourage all students who want to further their education by earning college credit before they enter their junior or senior years, to APPLY to the Hofstra Summer Pre-College Program.

If it’s never too early to think about summer, it’s never too early to think about your future!

New York spirit

2010-01-25T09:28:00.001-05:00

It’s the first day of the Spring semester, and although it is a very exciting time on campus, many of our students are disappointed by yesterday’s big football game. The New York Jets were one game away from the Super bowl, however, lost yesterday in a game against the Indianapolis Colts. Off to a promising start, the Jets were winning, but ultimately lost the game. Even though it was exciting to see the team get as far as they did, New York fans were still upset by the loss. Being a part of the excitement and supporting New York teams is a really great way to feel apart of the Hofstra community.

A Rainy First Day

2010-01-25T09:25:00.002-05:00

What a day to begin classes for Spring semester! It's pouring outside, the wind is picking up, but it's surpisingly not too cold outside. The parking lots are filling up, lights are back on in the rooms in the residence halls...Spring semester has officially begun! Thank goodness we have three 'unispans' connecting our campus so that everyone is not walking around in the rain. These 'unispans' serve as bridges connecting our residential side of campus with our academic side. They are definitely convenient for all members of our campus, and we are especially grateful for them on days like today! The center unispan even connects us to our main dining hall, the student center, and our bookstore. The student center contains many offices including Student Activities, New Student Orientation, Card Services, and Residential Programs. I am a huge fan of the middle unispan, since you can get so much accomplished and stay dry!
I hope everyone is having a wonderful first day of class!

The show goes on!

2010-01-22T15:20:00.005-05:00

I am updating live from our second day in the theatre, doing a tech run to work out all of our lighting issues. As the time gets closer, the cast of Die Fledermaus is super excited for opening night one week from tonight!

Of course, this upcoming week (dress rehearsal week) we all start classes, and for me that means student teaching. I'm stoked to begin teaching Elementary school Monday, Wednesday Friday, and working at a High School on Tuesday and Thursday. I've been in touch with my cooperating teachers, and had an all day student teaching seminar with of the other student teachers and our supervising professor.

As if everything wasn't busy enough, tomorrow is the first Unified Audition Day for all prospective Hofstra class of 2014 Music Majors! The day starts at 7AM as we get ready for campus to fill up with musicians, and won't end until late night for me with more opera tech rehearsals!

I'm very much looking forward to meeting all the prospective music majors tomorrow, and then again on February 6!

P.S. Here's a snapshot I just took of the stage! We're not in costume yet, that starts tomorrow!

The Start of a New Semester!

2010-01-22T14:29:00.003-05:00

Hello from Hofstra!

A new semester is upon us, and with that students new and returning have been moving back on campus over the past few days. Our Spring 2010 semester kicks off on Monday, January 25th! This is always a very exciting time for us in Admissions as we love having our students back on campus! Yes...this may make the line at California Pizza Kitchen slightly longer at lunchtime, but it's well worth it! Spring semester also means the days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer, and the tulips on campus are starting to bloom. Did you know that Hofstra plants a tulip for every student in attendance? It's an annual tradition dating back to our founding in 1935, and something that makes the campus absolutely visually stunning in April! But let's not get ahead of ourselves, there's still plenty of ski season left!

This is also the time of year that we in Admissions begin planning our spring travels. This spring I'll be heading to Massachusetts, Colorado, New Hampshire and Vermont while my colleagues will be taking care of many other destinations. As we begin to "hit the road" again, please keep an eye out for us. It's always great to see familiar faces!

Looking forward to a wonderful semester!

Top 10 Reasons SoCal Students Attend Hofstra

2010-01-19T16:20:00.003-05:00

10. Parents and siblings went to college on the east coast.

9. They want to experience all four seasons - watching the leaves change color, catching snowflakes on your tongue, and seeing Hofstra's amazing array of 13,000 tulips bloom in the spring.

8. Flying home on JetBlue is better than riding in a car for eight hours!

7. Hofstra is the only university to have a California Pizza Kitchen on its campus! No In N Out . . . yet!

6. To buy a new wardrobe filled with winter coats, scarves, mittens and even more Uggs.

5. Being independent, experiencing new things and making friends from all 50 states is what college is all about.

4. Easy, convenient access to New York City - the second best large city in the US next to Los Angeles.

3. To learn how to use public transportation!

2. To spend a Thanksgiving vacation going to the famous Macy's Day Thanksgiving Parade with other Hofstra students.

1. To get a fabulous education!!

Internship Media Experience

2010-01-14T12:47:00.009-05:00

I have been interning at Nassau Financial Federal Credit Union in Westbury since September 2009. I am a marketing intern and manage the social media (twitter, facebook, etc.), update company messages, help with direct mailings, contact business partners, and help wherever I am needed. The manager of the marketing department is wonderful! She has constantly encouraged me to get involved, learn, and ask questions. Last week she approached me and asked if I would like to sit in on a meeting with the CableVision representative. The Credit Union is now looking to expand its marketing efforts to TV ads, and we were meeting with them to learn our options. I was really excited to be able to sit in on such an important meeting, especially since I'm just an intern!

The meeting was really informative. Since we have not advertised on TV before, we are essentially starting from scratch. We need to define the demographic we are trying to reach, research the different channels and the demographics they appeal to, decide what time slot we want to have our ad rotate on, set the number of times in a week it will appear, and define how long the campaign will run - all while trying to stay on budget! From my advertising class I knew that there was a lot involved with media relations, but yesterday I saw first hand!

I was a little surprised at how inexpensive the actual 30 second spot cost - anywhere from $35 to $85, depending on the time slot and channel. Although that is a lot of money for only 30 seconds, when you hear about how a 30 second spot for the Super Bowl can cost over $1 million, $50 doesn't seem bad. My manager was interested in advertising during sports games during the summer and asked about pricing, which was more than the channels we were looking at such as E! and TBS. However, we all know how often we see commercials on these stations. Companies have to use repetition in order to get us to remember their product. So the $50, 30 second spot repeated several times for 8 weeks quickly adds up. On top of that you need to advertise on several channels. Once again I was a little surprised at how $50 turned into tens of thousands for a 2 month campaign.

Since taking my advertising and other marketing classes at Hofstra I have never been able to look at ads the same. I now take apart the ad and analyze why they decided to use that model or those colors or that music. And now after this meeting, I can't look at TV campaigns the same either. But I really love knowing what goes into making campaigns, after all that is why I chose marketing as my career. I am so fortunate to be able to gain so much as experience from this internship.

If you want to see me at work follow NassauFinancial on twitter or become a fan on facebook!

Financial Aid Workshops

2010-01-14T09:18:00.004-05:00

It is the time of year to start thinking about Financial Aid for all high school seniors and their parents/guardians. Hopefully you have narrowed your college list down to about 3-4 institutions in which you will call home for the next 4 years.

Hofstra University will be holding 2 Financial Aid workshops. Tonight, January 14, 2009 and February 9, 2010. The workshops will be from 7pm-9pm. The following link will provide more information.
http://www.hofstra.edu/home/News/PressReleases/121409_JanFinancialAidWorkshops.html

Check back tomorrow as I will be up-dating this blog with the latest inside information on Financial Aid!

Kevin Maccarella
Assistant Dean of Admissions

"Sing to love...

2010-01-13T18:59:00.005-05:00

...love you never knew before," the last line we sang in today's long day of rehearsals of Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss II.

The Hofstra Opera Theatre (nicknamed H.O.T.) performs opera scenes programs every fall and spring semester. These performances help us improve acting and singing, as well as expand our opera repertoire and enhance our stage experience. Every January, H.O.T. performs a full, mainstage opera with costumes, pit orchestra, scenery - the works.

This year, the directors and principals in the cast returned and began rehearsal on Saturday (yes, a Saturday during break from school), January 2. We took two days to run through all the music and dialogue, then began blocking. I had the privilege of musically preparing the chorus this past fall, who joined us in blocking rehearsals this past Saturday, January 9.

Today, I was acting to clean up some blocking in Act II this morning, then in the afternoon, I conducted two runs of the act. Needless to say it was a bit tiring, but it was so much fun!

For anyone interested in majoring in Music or participating in the opera should come see one of the performances! The performances are in J.C. Adams Playhouse on:

Friday, January 29, 2010 @ 8PM

Saturday, January 30, 2010 @ 8PM

Friday, January 31, 2010 @ 3PM

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in getting tickets.

Look forward to more opera updates!

How can I make my college visit a memorable one?

2010-01-13T12:43:00.017-05:00

Step 2: When do I visit my college choices?

Once you have done all of your research and you have your list of schools, it is important to figure out a plan of action when visiting your college choices. There are several factors that are involved in the planning and coordinating of your visits, and it might require sitting down with your family to discuss all of your options. However, before you decide, please read below for some things to think about before scheduling those visits.

First of all, a question to ask yourself is whether you wish to visit as a junior or a senior in high school. Depending on what your schedule will allow, this might require some thought with your family. Sometimes it is easier to visit during your junior year since you have a little more time to schedule the visits, but it raises a question as to whether you have enough of a knowledge base about the college process to make it worthwhile visit. The summer between your junior and senior year is also a popular time to make your college visits, because you most likely have had a least one conversation with your counselor about your college choices and you may have done enough research with your family to identify your college choices.

Secondly, you will want to consider if you want to visit when classes are in session. Some students prefer to visit when the students are on campus, (i.e., during the fall and spring semesters). To some this might not be that important, but is worth thinking about, because if it does matter to you, it will limit your options to only include late September-early December, and late January-early May. If, however, you just want to see the school and you might have another chance to visit, before you make that final decision regarding your college choice, it may not matter if classes are in session.

Thirdly, you will want to decide if you wish to visit your schools before or after you apply. Some students visit schools to determine if they want to apply (thus narrowing their choices down before they have to commit paying the application fee and submitting the application), and some decide not to apply unless they have been admitted to that institution. This is really a judgment call to make on your part, but ideally, I would recommend a visit to your top 4-5 choices before AND after you make the decision to apply. A lot of schools have events geared towards admitted students, and include additional activities that are designed to help you make that final decision.

Lastly, you will want to think about what type of visit program you will want to take advantage of. At Hofstra, for example, we have several types, ranging from daily tours and information sessions to admitted student events. Furthermore, if you can only make one visit to a school due to geography and/or time restraints, you will want to try to get as much information about the school as possible.

After you have sat down with your family and discussed all of these important factors, you should be ready to decide when to visit! My next segment is going to focus more on the last section of this blog: the types of visit opportunities available at Hofstra and other institutions.

My Resolution for the New Year

2010-01-12T17:10:00.007-05:00

Well, mine and everyone else's: I want to live a healthier lifestyle! Through the first few weeks of January, I've been trying my best to make all the right choices: limiting my caffeine intake, maximizing my sleep, and trying to move toward fruit rather than the AWESOME Hofstra cookies we have at events. I love pineapple, but those cookies are really hard to pass up.

Along with my daily changes, I'm going to take advantage of Hofstra's Recreation Center in 2010 (you believe me, right?). Future Hofstra students, you are in luck - the Rec Center is under renovation and will be finished in March 2011! And that brings us to tonight's Top 10 list. From the Home Office in Seward, NE (old-school Letterman reference anyone?), here it is:

Top 10 cool things to take advantage of in Hofstra's new Rec Center

10. New Computer Lab (to log your workouts, not to write a paper!)

9. Flatscreen TVs

8. New indoor track surface

7. Weight Room extension

6. Same great classes: belly dancing, pilates, akido, yoga have been on the schedule in the past

5. New dance, pilates/yoga and spin studios

4. Same great clubs: soccer, lacrosse, ice and roller hockey, rugby for example

3. Cool tournaments: flag football, indoor basketball, dodgeball

2. Theme nights: Wii sports night and a slam dunk contest were offered last fall

1. FREE personal training for students (yeah, I'm serious)

And if you see me at the Rec Center (warning, I'm a morning gym person), give me a wave; that little camaraderie will keep me going back when I didn't resist the urge of the Hofstra cookies!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-04T12:48:00.003-05:00

It's our first day back on campus after the holiday break and while the campus is pretty quiet during the inter session (save for those who have chosen to take a 2-3 week course), my colleagues and I are now relaxed, rejuvenated and ready to dig into the many Early Action II applications we will be reading over the next few short weeks.

I am amazed by how the quiet nature of the winter session brings a calm to the office- less cars in the parking lots, less frenzy across campus, minimal lines at Bits n Bytes, the campus post office and the various cafes.... but, gosh, I miss the students! Fortunately, we have quite a few Pride Guides around to help us open our mail, organize our files and give campus tours in the frigid temperatures we are experiencing, but already I cannot wait for the entire undergraduate population to come back for spring semester. We won't just have snow flurries- we will have a flurry of activity gusting into the campus with talk of internship adventures, campus life events, exciting hands-on learning experiences, performances, athletics, etc.

Guess I'd better get to reading those applications before they all come back from their five-week vacation!