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Augie Nieto was kind enough to meet with me when I graduated from CMC in 1985, contemplating what to do with my life. Our meeting was more about direction than any specific request, and I just remember his charisma and positive attitude those 20 years ago. I was "bummed" (I don't know any better word) by the info in CMC last month ("From Success to Significance"), but also impressed that—as he did 20 years ago—Augie continues to take the high road and remains a great role model and force to be dealt with!
—KEITH A. COVINGTON '85
I read with interest the recent article, "Admission by Design," and I have three separate reactions—each based on three roles I have had this past year: as an alumnus (ASCMC president 1974-75); as an educator (law professor and associate dean, Whittier Law School); and as a parent of an applicant for the CMC Class of 2010.
As an alumnus, I was delighted to read that applications have increased four-fold since I applied, and that CMC is "competing for the top students from around the country." I expect that many of my fellow classmates have thought the same things that were voiced at our 30th reunion dinner last year: How many of us would still be able to qualify for admission to CMC now?
As an educator, I was glad to see both that the admission staff is careful and thoughtful in the face of more than 3,700 applications ("We want to be fast and correct"), while at the same time single-focused in admitting students who are a "good fit" with CMC's mission—to generate a class of students who each have the potential for success in leadership in business, government, law, academia, and the myriad life paths open to them.
As a parent of an applicant, this past year was fraught with concern. I am all too aware of the almost unimaginable competition among stellar and accomplished students for the select few spots in highly ranked educational institutions such as CMC. I resisted assisting my daughter as she wrote the essay on leadership that CMC requires to emphasize its mission. And, where did I hear that phrase, a "good fit" before? From my daughter's college counselors at Sage Hill School. The lead counselor there, Scott Packer, used to work in the CMC admission office. A "good fit" is, as Dean Vos suggests, a hard-to-define term, which makes the search for the right college both exhilarating and full of trepidation.
I am deeply appreciative of the care and concern with which the admission staff approaches their task. I am also breathing a sigh of relief: my daughter was accepted, was offered a McKenna Scholarship, has been warmly greeted by Professor Ward Elliott, and has been respectfully and wonderfully made welcome by CMS softball coach Betsy Hipple. Professor Elliott and Coach Hipple apparently did a pretty good job—Christina has chosen CMC over my wife's alma maters—Pomona and Stanford.
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