From his temporary home in Ghana, more than 5,000 miles away from Foggy Bottom, junior Chris McLaurin writes to prospective applicants about his favorite GW professors.
"Classes at GW are not just boring lectures with stuffy academics," he wrote from the coastal African nation. "GW has what we call 'Professors of Practice.'"
McLaurin, who is studying abroad, is one of several students who contribute to a new Office of Admissions-sponsored blog, which the University created this semester to provide interested students a taste of life at GW.
There are six students who write their own online diaries and discussions on the admissions Web site, many posting new information every other day. The topics vary from blog to blog, post to post, and often address everything from D.C. internships to all-nighters in Gelman.
"Hopefully prospective students can see the opportunities and excitement I have had and want to be Colonials themselves," McLaurin wrote in an e-mail.
Student blogging is not a new concept in the admissions process and many universities are adopting the technology as a way to present information to students in a more familiar format. Those involved in GW's admissions blog said people enjoy it because it lacks the marketing motives of other admissions material.
"We don't want this to be a completely sugar-coated version (of GW)," said Vickie Graf, a freshman blogger, "because I think a lot of prospective students will see through that and won't be as interested."
Graf, who works in the admissions office as a tour guide, said that her posts are not censored by admissions directors and this allows her to give an accurate portrayal of the school.
"It's so personal and so modern," said Jay Matthews, an education reporter at The Washington Post, about the recent advent of blogs. "These kids are so deeply part of the Internet generation, and this is really their turf."
Matthews, who often writes about college admissions for The Post, said correctly utilizing new technology can prove to be an obstacle for many admissions offices. The benefits, he added, are worthwhile.
"Classes at GW are not just boring lectures with stuffy academics," he wrote from the coastal African nation. "GW has what we call 'Professors of Practice.'"
McLaurin, who is studying abroad, is one of several students who contribute to a new Office of Admissions-sponsored blog, which the University created this semester to provide interested students a taste of life at GW.
There are six students who write their own online diaries and discussions on the admissions Web site, many posting new information every other day. The topics vary from blog to blog, post to post, and often address everything from D.C. internships to all-nighters in Gelman.
"Hopefully prospective students can see the opportunities and excitement I have had and want to be Colonials themselves," McLaurin wrote in an e-mail.
Student blogging is not a new concept in the admissions process and many universities are adopting the technology as a way to present information to students in a more familiar format. Those involved in GW's admissions blog said people enjoy it because it lacks the marketing motives of other admissions material.
"We don't want this to be a completely sugar-coated version (of GW)," said Vickie Graf, a freshman blogger, "because I think a lot of prospective students will see through that and won't be as interested."
Graf, who works in the admissions office as a tour guide, said that her posts are not censored by admissions directors and this allows her to give an accurate portrayal of the school.
"It's so personal and so modern," said Jay Matthews, an education reporter at The Washington Post, about the recent advent of blogs. "These kids are so deeply part of the Internet generation, and this is really their turf."
Matthews, who often writes about college admissions for The Post, said correctly utilizing new technology can prove to be an obstacle for many admissions offices. The benefits, he added, are worthwhile.
