Semi-Finals, here we come!

The campus is buzzing with excitement since the Soaring Eagles Women's Ice Hockey team defeated Trinity College 2-1 in the Quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament this past weekend. Since the game was played at the Murray Athletic Center (aka "The Domes"), a ton of fans were in attendance showing off their purple and gold pride. Now, the Women's Hockey team will travel to Minnesota this week to compete in the Frozen Four against Norwich University on Saturday, March 19th. We couldn't be prouder of our EC players!!

Amazing Applications

This is the time of year when thousands of college applications come pouring in to the Office of Admissions. As Admissions Counselors, it is our responsibility to read each and every application, personal essay, and letter of recommendation in hopes of finding the best students to fill the Elmira College Class of 2014.

This year has been particularly interesting because we have seen a great deal of amazing applications. I'm not kidding - you guys are really accomplished! We have had students who are working three jobs, volunteering their time on the weekends for community service, and somehow still able to maintain excellent GPAs. Incredible!

Just to give you an example of our applicants, we have had students apply to EC who:

• are Valedictorians and Salutatorians of their senior classes
• have traveled all over the world
• have raised hundreds of dollars for organizations such as Relay for Life or other local service programs
• are trying to set a good example for their younger siblings by going to college
• have attained or working toward achieving Eagle Scout or Gold Award Scout status
• have applied to over 25 different colleges
• are captains of their secondary school athletic teams
• have scored the last minute winning point to win the game
• are president of their Student Government
• have had the lead role in their school's latest theatre production
  
• want to change the world

There has been some real talent in this incoming class. The questions is: what amazing talents and accomplishments will you bring to the group? It's not too late to send in your application. We look forward to reading it soon!

Have you visited EC yet?

Whether you are almost finished with your college search as a senior, or are just beginning as a junior, there are still plenty of opportunities to visit Elmira College. By visiting our campus, you will be able to see firsthand all that EC can offer you. (Plus, don't you want to see our purple rock salt?)

During your tour, a Gold Key member (one of our selected student tour guides) will take you on a thorough walk-through of campus. You will be able to see a freshman dorm, classrooms, the library, the gymnasium, the dining hall, and much more. After your tour, you and your family will have the opportunity to sit down with an Admissions Counselor for an interview. You also have the option of meeting with an athletic coach or a faculty member to discuss your interests.

To schedule a visit to campus, all you have to do is call us at (607) 735-1724 or toll-free at 1-800-935-6472. The Office of Admissions is open Monday through Saturday with tours available at convenient times.

We also have a Winter Visit Day on Monday, February 15, 2010. Winter Visit Days are a chance for you and your family to stop by the Office of Admissions and interact one-on-one with administrators, faculty, coaches, and other staff members. It is a day where you can control what you do! To register for the Winter Visit Day, simply call the Office of Admissions or register here: http://www.elmira.edu/admissions/visit_campus/open_houses

The best way to learn if Elmira College is right for you is to visit. Come see what we have to offer (we're not kidding about the purple rock salt!) We look forward to seeing you on campus soon!

FASFA and Freezing Temperatures

It is that time of year again. FASFA time. The FAFSA determines your eligibility for financial assistance and is your gateway to federal, state AND Elmira College financial aid. You can complete your FAFSA online. You can also get a FAFSA from your high school guidance office.
Our federal school code is 002718. The Federal Student Aid phone number is 800-433-3243. The sooner you send it in the sooner we can get a financial aid package out to you. We start send them out in February.

It is also Groundhog Day! After getting up bright and early this morning to see the weather forecast from the worlds most famous marmot I was saddened and not to surprised to find out that we will be having 6 more weeks of winter. With the temperatures currently floating around 15 degrees lately I wasn't to surprised.

Happy 2010!

We would like to extend everyone very Happy New Years wishes from the staff here at the Elmira College Office of Admissions. It would be ideal to extend “warm wishes” for a Happy New Year, but if you’re anywhere in the Northeast like us, we know you’re freezing your butts off too! We are eagerly awaiting the return of students to campus next week, as we can not wait to begin another great second term on the road to commencement. There are just a few housekeeping reminders we want to share with you:

The online Financial Aid Estimator for the 2010-2011 academic year will be taken down shortly, so access and utilize this valuable resource as soon as possible!

We know decision time is coming for new students so the Elmira College Admissions Staff is ready and waiting to answer all of your tough college questions. To reach a counselor, call the Admissions Office at (607) 735- 1724 or toll free at 1-800-935-6472. Counselors are also available for online chats. Go to http://www.elmira.edu/admissions to register for a chat today!

Holiday Season is Upon Us and so is our First INSTANT Admission Day for Transfer Students

The students have just headed home to spend Thanksgiving with their families and relax before the pre-finals frenzy in early December. We are excited to celebrate the season with Holiday Weekend, held on December 5th and 6th. Friday night students will participate in the Holiday Banquet, a time honored tradition where students sit with and are served a traditional holiday meal by their favorite professors. Saturday marks the much-anticipated Holiday Ball, a semi-formal event for students to dance the night away. We look forward to seeing everyone there!

The Elmira College Admissions Staff is also thrilled to announce its first-ever Instant Admission Transfer Student Day on Saturday, December 5 from 9:00a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Students interested in transferring to Elmira College need only to bring a completed application and transcripts from all colleges attended previously and our counselors will provide an instant admission decision and credit evaluation. Also, if students bring a 2009-2010 Student Aid Report (a copy can be printed at FAFSA.ed.gov), we will be able to estimate their financial aid eligibility! To register for the event, please contact the Office of Admissions at (607)735-1724 or register online at www.elmira.edu/admissions/transfers

Trick-or-Treaters Rush Columbia Hall

Happy Halloween! For the annual Columbia Hall Halloween event, EC welcomed nearly one thousand children to Trick-or-Treat throughout the dorm and brave the spooky haunted house created in the main lounge. EC offers this community service each year, with no charge. More than 200 pounds of candy was donated by the residents of Columbia Hall, faculty, and administrators of Elmira College for the event. Even with this much candy, volunteers ran out twice, and had to make two candy runs to keep up with demand! The trick-or-treaters looked great; the best outfit of the night, hands down, was a duo dressed as the Mario brothers. There were even a few dressed as Michael Jackson!

Columbia Hall Resident Life Coordinator Amber Wing ’09 would like to thank the more than fifteen students and administrators who helped out with the haunted house, and all of her residents who volunteered to hand out so much candy for the record-setting three-hour Halloween event!