Goucher College Admissions

One of Goucher’s great assets is our setting and location.  Though our campus is a bucolic 287-acre forest, we have the bustling suburb of Towson at our doorstep, the busy cities of Baltimore and DC just a short drive away, and the entire East Coast within a car, bus, train, or plane ride. A few months ago, we asked our students to blog about a typical weekend on campus.  This time, we’re featuring a weekend trip that a few of our students took to celebrate Halloween.

Many people say that the community at a small college is like a bubble, but I see it as a very inclusive and nurturing environment. There is so much activity within our “bubble” that there is hardly ever a need to pop it in order to find fun activities. However last weekend for Halloween, I popped the bubble and journeyed with my friends from Goucher to Philadelphia and New York City to partake in the Halloween festivities. After classes on Friday, Lauren ‘12, Mejj ‘11, Yolanda ‘12, and I (Senior!) drove to Philadelphia to spend the night at Lauren’s house. We hung out with her family and dogs, and put the finishing touches on our homemade Halloween costumes. Then we ate dinner with Lauren’s family- a delicious home cooked meal (and actually very similar to the high-quality food served at Goucher).

We got an early start the next morning, eager to get to New York and meet up our other Goucher friends who were taking the bus up later.  We’d also be seeing my mother, as I’m from New York originally.  We traipsed around my neighborhood, SoHo, and then met my mother for lunch at Hoomoos Asli, one of our favorite local Israeli restaurants. My mother, who’s an artist, had set up some crafty projects to keep us entertained. It was nice to be home!

Later on, we took the subway up to Port Authority and eagerly awaited the arrival of our friend Britt ‘10, who had just finished swimming in her second home meet of the season. We picked her up, and then ran back downtown to throw on our costumes and line up for the Annual New York’s Village Halloween Parade.  I was so excited to share a part of my city and childhood with my friends who had never experienced New York on Halloween. We ran into a crew of our friends from Goucher who had apparently shared our desire for a weekend getaway, and together relished in all of Halloween’s offerings.

By Sunday afternoon we were back at Goucher, leaving just enough time to finish the last of our homework and make it Heubeck, our favorite dinning hall.  It felt good to get back into our Sunday routine. Although the memories of our fast paced city weekend will be cherished, it was reassuring to be back in our nook, good old Goucher.  - Rachel L. is a senior from New York City

Most of our admissions counselors have returned from their hectic lives on the road and are now gearing up to read applications.  One of the common questions we heard this fall was “should I apply Early Decision?”

The Early Decision admissions program is designed for students who are certain beyond any doubt that Goucher is their number one college choice.  Early Decision is a phrase used by colleges and universities around the country to describe binding admissions programs, meaning that if you’re admitted, you’re making an (excited!) agreement to attend that college.  Therefore, students only apply to one college Early Decision, binding them to attend that college if admitted.  Applying as an Early Decision candidate is a great indicator to the Admissions Committee that Goucher is your first choice.  Our first round of Early Decision applications are due on November 15, and these students will hear from the Admissions Committee by December 15.

One of the common misconceptions of Early Decision programs is that they don’t allow students to seek financial aid.  Though we can’t speak for all colleges, at Goucher we know that’s not the case.  Our Early Decision applicants are treated the same way we treat the rest of our admitted applicants as far as merit- and need-based financial assistance is concerned.

We use the Common Application for admission, and in our supplement to the application we ask students what has motivated them to apply to Goucher.  A quick survey of responses from this year’s Early Decision applicants confirms that students consider Goucher for a wide variety of reasons, including our first-rate academic reputation and programs, our commitment to global perspectives through our required study abroad experience, our competitive and challenging athletics programs, and our values-oriented community.

If you have additional questions about applying Early Decision, post a comment and we’ll be happy to help you out!

Goucher has always been known as an innovative institution, providing unique and challenging opportunities for its students.  In the Fall of 2006, we bcame the first college to require its students to study abroad.  Of course, with that requirement comes scores of programs, ranging from three-week intensive Goucher courses up through year-long programs at universities around the world.  We give students the choice of participating in programs coordinated by Goucher faculty members, or enrolling in a study abroad program through other organizations, colleges, and universities.  One of our seniors spent last spring in Thailand:

From the beginning I knew I wanted to volunteer and participate in service learning when I went abroad. I found out about IPSL (International Partnership for Service Learning and Leadership) through my own research, contact with the Office of International Studies (OIS), and friends who had previously studied abroad on IPSL programs, and I decided to go on their Thailand program. I wanted to go somewhere unlike anywhere I had ever been and I’d never been to Asia. OIS was familiar with this program so it was very easy to get everything approved to go. It took a little more paper work than Goucher programs, but it was worth it - I loved my study abroad program. Not only was I studying abroad at a international university, living with Thai students, eating fantastic food and learning about a new culture, but I was able to do service learning and work at an orphanage. I feel like this immersed me in the culture even more. I had a variety of responsibilities at the orphanage, including translating English documents, helping students and staff with their English skills, helping with English homework, working in the garden, cooking in the kitchen, cleaning and pretty much anything else you can think of. While abroad I kept a blog: maiaabroad.wordpress.com. If you’re looking for an entry about a specific experience, some of my favorites were Songkran, Mae Sot and Mae La, and Bangkok. There are also some pictures on the blog too, and you can see me in my awesome school uniform I had to wear while I was there.  Navigating this new school system and culture without the language skills to really communicate, I closely connected to the people and children at the orphanage and it was sad to leave them behind. - Maia R. is a senior from Massachussetts

Tags: Maia R.

Our athletics program provides our students with a variety of opportunities to stay active.  In addition to our 17 varsity sports for men and women, we also have a robust intramural sports program, and well-maintained indoor and outdoor facilities available for all of our students. We asked one of our cross country runners to give some insight onto her time on the team.  In her own words…

My senior year of high school I had a season of injuries during spring track. The idea of starting a season of college running my freshman year with a history of injuries was daunting. But, I will never regret my decision to call the coach after I had recovered, to see if I could still join the team. College running is challenging but one of the best college experiences I have had so far. Each season at the end of August we start with a week and a half of preseason with all of the other fall athletes. Classes don’t start until September so we have a preseason of practices twice a day and meals with the team. We hang out as a team during free time, swim at the reservoir, and go out to dinner. I met a lot of my close friends during preseason and knew how to get around Towson before most of the freshmen arrived.  Racing in cross country has kept me challenged academically and athletically. I have been able to manage my time really well and love the challenge of speed workouts and the relaxing long runs and recovery practices. It has been a way to de-stress and stay focused on succeeding academically at Goucher.  Although a lot of my friends are from the cross country team, I have met so many people who aren’t athletes. It is really easy to get out and meet other people at Goucher because of classes and night-time and weekend activities. I have found a diverse and fun social world here and college athletics have helped me experience everything this college has to offer. - Hannah S. is a junior from New Hampshire

Tags: Hannah S.

A few months ago, Arreon H. encouraged you to make the campus visit an integral part of your college search. We welcome visitors to our campus throughout the year, with tours and information session, class visits and interviews, meetings with professors and overnight stays with students.

For those of you who are just starting to learn about Goucher, we’ve designed a special on-campus program: Explore Goucher Day.  During EGD, our visitors tour campus, learn about our academic opportunities, meet with students who are active in a variety of programs, and hear more about admissions and financial aid.

EGD is a fantastic program for students who’ve taken the time to learn about Goucher online or in our brochures, but still want to know more about our mission and our community.  During our first EGD, which was just held on October 12, we welcomed nearly 200 guests from around the country, and we hope you’ll join us for our second EGD on Monday, November 9.  Register online today!

Each fall, our admissions counselors hit the road.  Their goal? To meet with students, families, counselors, teachers, and organizations interested in learning more about Goucher.  True, there’s nothing that replaces the campus visit, but this is a great way for us to see those who can’t make the trip, or who’ve already visited and just want to reconnect with us.  Here’s just a short sample of life on the road from one of our counselors, Jaime Anthony:

Thursday 9-24
My fall travel started a few weeks ago with the  Colleges that Change Lives tour, but I’ve been back in town for a few days visiting high schools in Montgomery County and DC.   Today’s the first day of the annual national conference for NACAC, and this year it’s in Baltimore!  NACAC is a great time to see friends and colleagues (and of course to attend sessions for professional development), but I’m glad it’s in Baltimore this year, so I can sleep in my own bed instead of a hotel room. It’s also nice to show off our campus and our city, two huge pluses for the Goucher education.

Monday 9-28
Today I’m in the office, answering emails and taking care of odds and ends, including getting driving directions for my next few days.  Call me old-fashioned but I don’t trust my GPS!  It’s my only day in the office for a few weeks and I have a lot to get done before I leave.  Early tomorrow I fly to Nashville for some high school visits, a college fair, a reception with other CTCL schools, and some interviews with high school seniors.  Talk about a jam-packed 48 hours…

Friday 10-2
I checked the weather report before I left, but I didn’t realize I’d want gloves and a hat. It was only 27 degrees when I woke up in Denver this morning! Today I’m visiting four high schools, and then I fly back to Baltimore.  One of the things I love about going to high schools is seeing our prospective students in their home environment. It helps remind me that the applications we read aren’t just a methodical compilation of grades and scores and activities… It’s also a good test of my mental fortitude and flexibility, as my maps and GPS often don’t realize when there are driving detours! That’s one reason I like visiting high schools in NYC - I can walk or take the subway just about everywhere and don’t have to deal with driving a strange rental car. Homeward bound tonight.

Sunday 10-4
I’m flying down to Tampa today for the Bay Area Independent Schools fair.  Afterward I’ll be doing interviews, and tomorrow I’m visiting high schools before flying back up to BWI. I’m in a choir in Baltimore, and I can’t miss another rehearsal before our concert! It’s hard to find a balance between work and regular life during these crazy months, but somehow we make it happen. Bring on the sunshine and palm trees in Florida! After the Denver chill I definitely could use some warmth.

Monday 10-5
My visits in Tampa and St. Pete were great, and now I’m on the plane back to Baltimore. Early tomorrow I’ll fly out to Houston, then on to Dallas. The rest of my travel will be in DC, NYC, or Long Island - bring on the trains! It’s been a really productive travel season so far. I’ve been so impressed with how confident and focused our prospective students are this year. They seem to know a lot about Goucher, and have really good questions. It’s also been nice to see colleagues “on the other side of the desk,” who have been equally enthusiastic about Goucher and our programs.

Thursday 10-8
I have met with some dynamite students in Texas!  I’ve been visiting a big mix of public and private schools, and have had some outstanding interviews, too.  The college fair at Strake Jesuit was really busy, but it was great to meet some new students and to see some who have already visited campus.  One of the things that I love about the Goucher student body (as well as our faculty and staff) is that they come from all over, from our backyard of Towson, MD all the way to Texas, out to California, and then of course from locales around the world.  While the long hours on the road might be a little tiring, it’s so great to finish out the night with an incredible interview or a buzzing college fair.  Next on the docket: Explore Goucher Day on Monday!

You’ll discover that Goucher isn’t a place for people who want to blend in and be like everyone else. We challenge each other to expand our horizons and try new things. Just last week, Karl Rove came to speak on our campus.  Though his views and actions aren’t supported by our entire community, we still valued the opportunity to hear from his perspective.  But diversity isn’t just about facing our differences - it’s about celebrating them, too.  This month, we’re celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a variety of campus events, and the Admissions Office will host Expressions of Diversity in November… just to name two such programs. We asked two seniors to reflect on the broad topic of diversity:

Diversity. When some people think about diversity, they take a look around and make a mental note of how many people they see are the same or different from them. Though racial and ethnic diversity can be more easily seen, diversity in socio-economic class, sexual orientation and personality cannot be seen. If you can’t physically see this diversity, then how can you find it? Talk to people! After talking to people at Goucher, you will find that some students are first-generation college students, some are third-generation college students, some are middle class, some are upper middle class, some don’t speak English at home, some are religious… everyone is at least a little bit different.  There is a ton of diversity in personality and interests here at Goucher. There are students who like to hike,  who love theater, who love to shop, who love to play video games, who love sports, etc.  There are so many ways to get involved and to meet other people!  There is also quite a bit of ethnic and racial diversity at Goucher.  All sorts of people from all sorts of  walks of life come to Goucher to learn and live.  Just remember that diversity isn’t just about numbers and statistics, it’s about the actual experiences.  - Arreon H. is a senior from Maryland

Goucher is a small school with a diverse population of personalities. You’ll go far here if you be yourself. I am constantly amazed by the level of tolerance and acceptance in the Goucher community.  Goucher students feel comfortable being themselves here. There’s a lot of freedom to express your own creativity at Goucher without fear of judgment from others, and if that means going to class barefoot, or singing loudly in the shower in the bathroom, then so be it.   -  Claire R. is a senior from Florida

Tags: Arreon H., Claire R.

This year, we celebrate 125 years of excellence in education.  In keeping with annual tradition, we began this milestone year with our opening celebration. Our mascot, the Goucher Gopher, and our African drum ensemble Fritete led students in a parade of the classes, with each year dressing in a different color.  Following remarks from our Chaplain, Cynthia Terry and other faculty, staff, and student speakers, the entire community enjoyed an outdoor barbeque.  Wouldn’t you like to be a part of this?

The students march down our major footpath, the Van Meter Highway:

Some intrepid seniors (in red) overtake the lead from the freshmen (in blue):

Michael Curry, France-Merrick Professor in Service-Learning, addressing the community:

We’re thrilled that our students have returned to campus for the start of the new school year.  Here are some photos documenting their experiences checking in:

Orientation committee members helping a first-year student check in:

Families started lining up well before check-in began:

Checking course schedules:

SGA President Evan S. helping students check in:

This year’s first-year class continues Goucher’s tradition of academic excellence, and we are excited to welcome them into to the Goucher community.

At Goucher, we firmly believe that your major does not dictate what you’ll be doing for the rest of your life.  It’s a way to focus your undergraduate studies, but it will not limit the rest of the classes you can take, or the careers you can pursue once you graduate.  We asked some of our students to share their experiences with choosing and declaring a major at Goucher:

When I first came to Goucher, I was really interested in International Relations. I am a part of the International Scholars Program, which means I still get a global perspective in other parts of my academic life. I started taking voice lessons the beginning of my sophomore year with Prof. Betty Ridgeway and I was hooked! She came from Morgan State University, with loads of experience and advice (which I really needed) and I knew quickly that music was what I was most passionate about. I had always been on the fence about pursuing a career in music because you don’t really know what to expect.  I think it was my destiny because no matter what I do, it always comes back to music.  So, before I left for Ghana this semester, I officially declared a Music major with a concentration in Vocal Performance.   - Nenelwa T. is a junior from Tanzania (by way of Massachusetts)

At Goucher, you are not required to declare a major until the end of the spring semester of your sophomore year.  This gives you four semesters to take pretty much whatever you want – lots of time to dabble in many different areas.   Even if you come in knowing exactly what your major is going to be, use this time to explore some other courses of study.  Take photography.  Take horseback riding.  Take the course on Russian fairy tales.  Take whatever you want!  You might find you want to major in something completely different from what you had originally anticipated.  Once you are certain of a major, you need to select a faculty advisor in that department.  Typically, this is a professor you have had for at least one course in the department – hopefully someone you are familiar with, and who is familiar with you.  There is a form you will need to have signed, both by your new advisor, and your previous one (the one you’ve had since freshman year).  You drop the form off at Student Administrative Services, and congratulations! You are declared.  - Claire R. is a senior from Florida

When I first entered Goucher, I wanted to major in Business Administration… but when I took the introductory course in Psychology I fell in love with the curriculum and the professors in the department.  I found all of them to be very warm and accessible.  I feel that it is important for every student to feel welcomed in his field of interest, and here at Goucher you get just that.  Although you are required to declare your major by the end of your sophomore year, you are still free to explore classes in any other area.  - Angelo H. is a senior from Maryland

I am pursuing a double major in English and Sociology.  For me, senior year is class-cramming time.  I’m taking four English courses and one Sociology course.  I finished all of my general education requirements and don’t have time to take classes just for fun.  I am a double major and I studied abroad for a semester in Italy, so every semester has been really packed for me.  It was worth it, though.  I am taking Short Story Writing, Literary Theory, Creative Nonfiction, an Oscar Wilde seminar, and a seminar on the Sociology of Mental Health.  All are required for my two majors.  - Jaime B. is a senior from Connecticut

Although most students do not know what they want to major in when they first arrive on campus, I did.  I absolutely love being a Music major! I find it both challenging and rewarding.  Within many majors, there are specializations called concentrations. In Music, you can have a concentration in instrumental or vocal performance, music theory & composition, music history, computer music, jazz studies, musical theater and music and arts administration.  Although you are majoring in a particular department, that does not mean that you can only take courses in that field.  Although I am a Music major, I have taken business courses, sciences courses, philosophy courses and literature courses.  The beauty of a liberal arts curriculum is that you can take a slate of diverse classes that contribute to a well rounded person.  Do not stress over your major! If you do not know when you come in, that is just fine! After taking courses the first year and a half you will begin to get a feel of what subjects and areas you enjoy.  - Arreon H. is a senior from Maryland

Tags: Angelo H., Arreon H., Claire R., Jaime B., Nenelwa T.