We feel like our blog is probably where we'll spend most of our energies because what we have to say usually is more complex than a few characters. Nonetheless, you can find us now on Twitter.
We'll hang out there every now and then at: https://twitter.com/Berklee_Enroll
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
The Admissions Challenge
Within the space of just these past few weeks, Berklee's Office of Admissions has bid a fond farewell ("and don't forget to stay in touch"!) to the largest graduating class in the college's history, admitted one of the largest and most gifted entering classes for the summer and fall semesters in the college's history, and engaged in an intensive two-day retreat to examine both our long-term future and the steps we can take in this upcoming year to take our operation to the next level - higher - faster - louder, as we say here;-) And the theme that resonates for us again and again is...humility. Berklee's Office of Admissions, and indeed all of our administrative colleagues at the college, bare an awesome responsibility. One that we are most proud to bare, and one that brings pause again and again each year as we select our entering class and almost in the same breath watch the entering class from four years prior cross the stage to Hi-5 the likes of David Bowie, Anita Baker, Sting, Melissa Etheridge, Smokey Robinson, Gloria Estefan, Wayne Shorter, The Edge and a litany of other celebrities who are thrilled to stand there and shake hands with over 800 Berklee graduates. Don't they have better things to do? What do they see? Why are they there?
For those of us involved in recruiting our class each year, the answer to the question is blatantly obvious. They know the value of networking in the music industry, and it is a thrill for them to meet, at this seminal point in our graduate's lives, with the future leaders of the industry. We are all familiar with the "six degrees from Kevin Bacon" theory. In the music industry, you may not even get to step three before Berklee comes into the picture. Fact, not fiction.
So, each year our challenge is great and our mission is clear. Find them. Bring them. Nurture them. Graduate them. Because the "them" we find, bring, nurture, and graduate will make all the difference. Both today at Berklee and tomorrow in the future industry they will create.
Damien Bracken
Director of Admissions
Summer Semester Begins
Orientation began today for our entering summer semester students. It's an exciting time for all of us in the enrollment area as we welcome a new group from around the world, to Boston. Activities for students, and those whose parents could join us, are occurring throughout the day. Students will continue to find orientation help over the next few days with classes starting next week.
Since we start this semester in May, most of the students beginning with us are either transfer students from another college, or international students who have a different academic calendar.
In other words, traditional high school graduates will have to wait until September!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Beginning at the End?
As we begin this blog about enrollment, with something of a focus on admission (beginning), ironically, we at Berklee just experienced our "end". Yesterday was our commencement, the formal end of a long and challenging road for over 800 students who completed requirements for our diploma or degree. Doubly ironic, we call "graduation" commencement, from the french, "to start". And so it is for our graduates both an ending of a phase in their lives with us at Berklee, but also a beginning, a starting point.
Motown legend Smokey Robinson, our Commencement speaker and honorary doctorate recipient, encouraged students to use the international language of music to speak to the world. Linda Ronstadt, another honoree, spoke eloquently of the transcendent power of music while merengue superstar and Berklee alumnus Juan Luis Guerra emotionally acknowledged his wife and children and his native Dominicans for the honor. Noted producer and sound engineer George Massenburg encouraged graduates to be part of the next generation of musicians who will take sound quality to a higher level.
A few links here:
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