And So We've Been Reading.

Wonder what we have been up to over the past few months? Reading – and lots of it. Beyond reading what we could while in the office, we spent on average 2 days a week reading applications outside of the office – most often in our homes. However, we all have our own habits, schedules, styles, and company. Just about everyone reported that they were “boring” but I think you’ll find this to not be the case. Here’s how the counselors described their days – can you guess who is who?

• The cats always want to help me. SO HELPFUL. I tend to start early – 5:30am, take a gym or run break, get dressed and back to reading. Music is on thanks to Spotify. I use my electric Snuggie, which is AWESOME. I read apps one-handed. ALSO, I think I'm the only one without a double monitor.

Ever wonder who really makes the admissions decisions?

• I typically read at my dining room table. I break for Ellen every day at 3pm. My favorite drink while reading is apple tea from Turkey. One day, my cat jumped on my lap - before I knew it, she jumped again and landed on the keyboard. She must have hit escape or something because it closed out of the file reading programs – so, because of my cat, I lost my write-up and had to start over on that applicant.

• I set up my computer around 8:00 and use my TV as a second monitor. I usually read while my dog sleeps on the chair next to me. I take a few breaks to take her to go outside. I usually eat lunch while reading, and end around 5.

• Every morning of a home read day I make a fruit smoothie. Each week has its own flavor; this week is chocolate, blueberry, and banana. After the smoothie, I go through almost 2 quarts of ice tea by the end of the day. When I take a break, I sporcle. (www.sporcle.com = greatest site ever). Regardless of the temperature outside, I read apps in shorts.

• I always read in the family room. My couch is comfy, but not too comfy where I would get lazy. I always have a cup of tea by my computer and my dog Molly DOES join me on the couch. I am always in PJ's. When I take breaks, they're always to eat (home read days are DANGEROUS for this reason) but I try to keep my snacks relatively healthy. Because of meetings, sometimes I read here in the office - or at night when I go home.

• I'm a pj's all day kind of gal. I start reading at my kitchen table at about 8-8:30ish with a cup of chai tea, a bowl of cereal, preferably Honey Nut Cheerios, and the Today Show on in the background. I read until about 10:00, grab a quick snack bringing it back to the kitchen table to continue working. My snack attack could consist of an apple, raisins, yogurt covered raisins or if I'm in a real junk mood, COMBOS, pizza and pretzel flavor. I continue on until about 12:15-12:30, make some lunch and work through the lunch hour. I try to make it until about 3:00 when I need to get my dance on with Ellen! I watch Ellen and then get back to reading for a little while longer.

• Alarm goes off at 5:12 am and I head to the gym for a 5:45 spin class. Showered and dressed in real people clothes (not PJs) by 7:30 am. Eat breakfast and start reading. I'll usually get up a couple of times for some decaf coffee. It seems that no matter what the temperature is in my condo I will keep turning up the thermostat. And keep turning it up..and up...and up. Sometimes for the afternoon I will continue reading at Panera where there is WiFi so that I can actually see another human being. That's always nice. I really don't take breaks, though I probably should. The day usually goes by quickly until about 3 p.m. At that point I think my reading significantly slows.

• I stay up late most nights, going to bed at 3 or 4am. I don't do anything typical during a break, although I like People's Court.

• I usually get started reading around 9am. I usually sit at my desk (I have a large monitor at home). Around half way through my reading for the day I go for a run around Bethlehem (or if it's cold, I'll run at the gym). I will usually read until 11 or 12 depending on how slow I am, then watch TV for an hour or so to refresh.

• My environment is key for effective app reading. I’m most productive when I have Robin Thicke on Pandora – it’s something about soul music that puts me in the vibe! I read applications from home most of the time, moving from green tea to Coca Cola as the day goes on. I read at Panera with two of my co-workers a few times - the change of location and company was a nice change of pace. At home, my dogs are always with me – sometimes they agree with my decisions, though sometimes they disagree.

The time we spent going through the applications, our odd habits (and company) and all, is worth it - difficult as it is, we have selected our class and we are excited that decisions will be mailed in the next few days!

Jessica DeSantis '03
Associate Director of Admissions
jed305@lehigh.edu