Student admission fellows interview future students

When 25-year-old Evan Hoover first entered Lehi as a nervous freshman, he was comforted by the fact that there was already one familiar face on campus.

For the past ten years, the Lehi Admissions Office has recruited admissions fellows. Lehi students interview prospective students.

“It’s definitely a good program,” Hoover said. “It gives you a better idea of ​​what school is like before you even get there, but it also gives you a deeper connection. It’s the first Lehi you know, so it’s definitely a resource to come back to.”

Director of Admissions Bruce Bannick said the recruitment of student interviewers has been successful and beneficial to the admissions team.

Before student fellows were added to the process, interviews were conducted by undergraduate admissions officers, he said.

“At the time, the only interaction between a prospective student and a current Lehi student was with a tour guide,” Bannick says. “I felt it was worth and worth adding the extra layer.”

Now, he said, interviews are conducted almost entirely by student fellows.

Admissions Fellow Dannah VanPraagh (’23) said that in order to become a fellow, students must have at least one year of experience working in another part of the admissions office.

Interested students will receive an email inviting them to apply in the spring of their sophomore or junior year. They will be given acceptance decisions by email later that spring.Fellows who are accepted can begin training in the summer, VanPraagh said.

According to Bannick, college admissions fellows are typically extroverted, outgoing, and tend to thrive in group environments.

“Admissions officers really want to connect with Lehi students,” says VanPraagh.

VanPraagh said that for each interview with a prospective student, there is a list of mandatory questions that fellows must ask, and a list of optional questions that fellows can pull off.

At each interview, fellows take notes and submit summaries of responses to questions, how prospective students fit into Lehi, interests in college, and other feedback.

Banick said admissions fellows play a role in student acceptance, but interviews aren’t always the deciding factor.

“Decision-making doesn’t depend on the quality of the interview, and frankly, it definitely does,” Bannick said. “However, I do know that reading these notes from the Fellows may help provide additional context for a different and additional perspective on the student in your application.

Admissions Fellow Lucy Moose, 23, says it’s beneficial to have Lehi students conduct these interviews. Rather than questioning, set up a conversation.

Hoover says the experience of Zoom interviews with admissions fellows was comfortable and helpful when he was a prospective student.

He felt connected to his peers by sharing similar academic interests and was able to learn more about the course load at Lehi from someone who had firsthand experience.

Huber said he frequently reaches out to fellow students whenever he has questions or concerns at school.

Banick said the visits and interviews were conducted online during the COVID-19 pandemic. They currently operate in-person, but maintain a virtual scheduling calendar to assist students who live abroad or are unable to attend in-person interviews.

“Recently, we’ve had visitors[in person]come back and we’re very happy,” Bannick said.

There are no interviews in the spring semester. Moose said fellows spend time writing postcards welcoming Lehi students to her community.

Moose said it hosts several admitted student events that may “seal deals” for undecided prospective students. and hosts two Lehigh Fest events where accepted students can spend the day on campus.