My friend Christina and I recently sat down with Associate Director of Admissions Alfie Daniels to learn about what it’s like to be an admissions officer and to hear about her own experience applying to college. Here are some highlights from our interview:
What was your college application process like?
I started the admissions process late and didn’t think about it seriously until the fall of my senior year. I knew that I wanted to go to a small liberal arts college in the northeast, but I never thought I would end up at a women’s college: Wellesley. By and large, the admissions process was stressful. I was bombarded with a lot of opinions about where I should apply, and how I should write. Looking back now, it was a really exciting time to reflect on my time in high school, and to think about where I would be going in the future. Overall, I’d say it may not be fun in the moment, but it’s a pretty pivotal experience.
How nervous were you for college interviews? Any tips for prospective students?
I was a little nervous, but I noticed over time that a lot of the interview questions were the same, so it really wasn’t too nerve-wracking. For interview tips, I would say just relax and be yourself. College interviewers are not going to ask any questions you won’t be able to answer. Remember, even though the college application process can be stressful, at the end of it, you will have lots of great choices. So relax!
Any tips especially for low-income students or first-generation college students?
#1. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. #2. Don’t be afraid that you won’t find a home at a college like Yale. You will.
Can you talk about your time at Wellesley as a college student?
I believe it’s important to be in an environment where women’s ideas are heard and valued, which can be particularly difficult for women in fields typically dominated by men. Being at Wellesley, I felt that I could break the glass ceiling and overcome stereotypes. In a sense, it influenced me to try things I’d never done before, and to push myself out of my comfort zone. For example, I walked onto the crew team and I loved it! My favorite part of college, though, was the late night talks with friends that went on through the night.
What does diversity mean to you?
I think of diversity pretty broadly. To me, diversity means having people come together from different backgrounds, who have different beliefs and ideas about the world, who want to share and learn from those differences.
How did you get involved in admissions, and what is your favorite part about being an admissions officer?
I knew I wanted to help students from underrepresented backgrounds realize that they can attend highly selective universities, and being an admissions officer lets me do that. My favorite part about my job is working with my colleagues and connecting with the students I meet on and off campus.
What are your thoughts on the new Pokemon Game?
I don’t understand it. I guess my favorite is the little yellow one?
Pikachu?
Yeah!
What would your residential college be if you had gone to Yale?
Timothy Dwight
What inspires you?
Seeing students who thought they could never come to a place like Yale and watching them grow and thrive on campus and after graduation.
What do you have to say about campus climate with regards to recent events?
I love seeing the activism on campus. It’s clear that Yale is a place students care about and want to make better for future generations. It has been really powerful to see how students can come together and share their voices with the administration. Everyone here - students, faculty, and administrators - want to make Yale the best place it can be.
Favorite spot on campus to eat?
Barcelona is pretty good if you are looking for a treat off-campus. For on-campus options, I prefer to eat in Timothy Dwight College
