Volunteering

Alumni admission representatives (AARs) assist the College's professional admission staff by attending hundreds of local recruitment events held each year. Ithaca's admission team relies on alumni volunteers to assist at local events in their communities and aid in one-on-one follow-up. Here is an overview of AAR duties:

Time Commitment

As official representatives of the College, members of the alumni admission program promote Ithaca as successful graduates with insight and passion for the Ithaca experience. Volunteers typically devote 12 hours each fall and spring to recruitment activities, though individual involvement can be as comprehensive as a volunteer's interest and schedule allows.

Network of Support

The admission office provides all the tools to be a successful ambassador of the College. Volunteers receive an array of training and support materials, including course catalogs, the College prospectus, school brochures, contact lists, phone scripts, and other project-specific information. In addition, volunteers receive a source book containing detailed information on program requirements, the admission process, and campus life. Volunteers also receive regular College news updates through online newsletters and frequent e-mails, as well as through the College's website.

College Nights

These are events held at high schools where representatives from various colleges distribute information, meet students and parents, and informally discuss the unique aspects of their institutions. Volunteering to represent Ithaca at college nights in your area will help to carry the College's message to an interested audience we may otherwise not be able to reach.

College Fairs

Sponsored by the National Association of College Admission Counselors, regional college fairs are attended by thousands of prospective students and their families each spring and fall. These collegiate trade shows generally last two days, typically over a weekend. They generate heavy traffic, and provide maximum exposure for the College. We regularly staff these events with professional admission counselors and ask alumni volunteers to assist.

Regional Receptions

These events, typically held at hotels, are geared toward students who have already expressed an interest in Ithaca College. They combine formal presentations with informal conversation to address the interests and questions of individual students. Alumni volunteers help host these programs and answer student questions.

One-on-One Contacts

Many prospective students contact IC's admission office seeking names of alumni in their communities who might provide valuable insight into campus life, program strengths, and admission procedures. The firsthand experience and guidance of an AAR can help high school students decide whether Ithaca is right for them.

High School Outreach

AARs often take active roles in their area high schools, assisting guidance counselors as a primary local contact for Ithaca College. As a representative, you will answer questions from prospective students and their families, supply the counseling office with current admission material, and ensure that Ithaca maintains a high profile among competing institutions.

Congratulatory Calls

In January and February, alumni volunteers help the admission office contact admitted students. Through phone calls, e-mails, and personalized notes, AAR's congratulate students on their offers of admission, answer their questions, and encourage them to attend the College. Students are also invited to visit the campus for an Ithaca Today session. These full-day admission events, held prior to the May 1 deposit deadline, give students an in-depth look at the campus and help them to weigh Ithaca's admission offer. The congratulatory calling process continues through May, welcoming students admitted during regular admission. Friendly and reassuring personal contact with an AAR often reinforces a student’s decision to attend Ithaca.

Receptions for Accepted Students

In addition to our Ithaca Today sessions, we invite accepted students and their parents to attend informal receptions near their homes to learn more about Ithaca's unique strengths. Faculty, admission, staff, current Ithaca students, and alumni volunteers all participate. The combined effort gives prospective students and their parents a powerful impression of the College.