OLGA-LUCIA SANCHEZ
PAL 2004 Report
PROFESSIONAL ADVISING LEADERSHIP FELLOWS TRAINING PROGRAM
Spring 2004

PAL (Powerful Admirable Leadership Program)

We all know that PAL stands for the Professional Advising Leadership Fellows Training Program. However, after you experience it, PAL can certainly stand for Powerful Admirable Leadership Program. In both senses, the PAL experience involves challenge, leadership, training, sharing, research/study and quite a lot of positive and dynamic energy.
My research topic was on graduate-level admission processes and practices, combined with university visits and attendance at the National Association of Graduate Admissions Professionals (NAGAP) Conference. There were 15 PAL fellows from several countries and different cultures, which made the PAL experience even more exciting. There were educational advisers representing the countries of Lebanon, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Benin, Colombia, Venezuela, Mongolia, Philippines, Russia, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyz Rep, Finland and France.

NAGAP Conference (National Association of Graduate Admissions Professionals)

My very first stop was in the magnificent city of Boston. There, I attended the NAGAP Conference, which gave me a new basis for understanding the role of admissions officers at U.S. universities. I learned new concepts on SEVIS, admission scores, recruiting strategies, online applications, and diversity in graduate admission recruitment.
Moreover, along with three other PAL participants and representatives from overseas educational advising centers, I took part in the panel discussion on "Recruiting Abroad - a Conversation with Overseas Educational Advisors". During our session, we described our role as OSEAS advisers in international education and discussed ways for overseas advisers and U.S. institutions to cooperate and share expertise. We also discussed the latest trends in student flows from overseas to the U.S., current recruitment, as well as visa issues.

UNIVERSITY VISITS # 1 (BOSTON)

After the Conference, I visited the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Following that, I had a meeting with the International Student Advisor for Arts, Sciences and Engineering. At Boston University, I visited the Office of Arts and Sciences and had quite a nice conversation with the International Admission Officer. Finally, I visited the Associate Provost Office located in an old, beautiful building. I also visited the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the International Business School at Brandeis University. The next day, I found myself at Harvard University. I did quite a lot of walking from one building to the other. First, I attended a graduate programs information session for new students in Business. It was interesting to listen to their concerns, hopes and dreams. Second, I visited the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

PAL ORIENTATION MEETING

Next step: I was very eager to meet the rest of the PAL Program participants. We had a very nice welcome reunion at the home of Theresa Carroll Schweser, Director of the International Education Office at The College Board. We had a delicious dinner and enjoyed a very pleasant evening.
During the following day, we all (Early-Birds, first group to arrive, and On-timers, second part of the group that had just arrived from their home countries) attended the PAL Orientation meeting at the College Board. It was nice for Early-Birds to share our experience as PAL Program participants and to provide suggestions for the On-timers. This meeting gave everyone a chance to develop a clear understanding of their goals and objectives for their projects.

UNIVERSITY VISITS # 2 (WASHINGTON D.C.)

I could not leave Washington D.C. without visiting Georgetown University. I attended a graduate programs information session at the School of Foreign Service. I enjoyed meeting new students and listening to former students talking about their experience as foreign students at Georgetown University. I also received information on additional entrance requirements from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

UNIVERSITY VISITS # 3 (NEW YORK)

I went by train from Washington D.C. to one of the most exciting cities in the U.S.: New York City. At times, my eyes simply were not big enough to take in what are undoubtedly the largest buildings I have ever seen and to see the huge crowds in the streets. I have always wondered Frank Sinatra's unforgettable song where he calls New York is the city that never sleeps. How true it is!
Visiting schools such as New York University (Tisch School of the Arts, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences), Columbia University (School of Law, Teacher's College and an interesting tour around the International Student House), and Parsons School of Design, made my visit to New York very special.
On one of those days in New York, I took the train to SUNY, Stony Brook. It was an entire day of excitement: taking trains, changing trains, missing trains. However, it was worthwhile. The campus at Stony Brook is very nice and the faculty and staff members and students are warm and friendly. They all were pleased to share information with me. I visited the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the Linguistics Department, and I learned some very interesting things about their Social Welfare Program.
I not only visited universities but two more interesting places in New York City as well. I gathered a complete stock of information on the Fulbright Programs and the Placement Service at the IIE (Institute of International Education). I also took part in an unforgettable tour around the United Nations building. It was just amazing to learn about facts that affect the entire world, from newborns to elderly people. Being at the United Nations opened my eyes even more about the necessity of sharing and working for others.

WASHINGTON D.C. (PAL FELLOWS LEADERSHIP SEMINAR)

What an interesting wrap-up seminar. We not only shared our project experiences, but also learned about leadership through discussions, techniques and exercises. Each one of the PAL participants said it touched their hearts to see the leadership we project in our academic field, with our bosses, colleagues and students. Thank you, Debbie Hefferon, for such a learning experience.
We came almost to the end (the saddest part of the PAL Program). I not only visited universities, met graduate admission officers, university representatives and students but also learned more about the U.S. educational system, financial aid, visa issues for Colombian students, tips about travelling and arriving in the U.S., study skills, housing and everyday living in the U.S. I also learned about the insect "Cicada". At that moment thousands of these insects were found in every single yard in the United States. Cicadas that live underground for a long period of time: 13 or 17 years. The males die shortly after mating. The females die after laying their eggs.

NAFSA 56TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE "CHARTING NEW VISIONS"

The last aspect of the PAL Program was attendance at the NAFSA Conference in Baltimore, MD. I had a wonderful experience, not only attending the Conference but also presenting the session on "Recruiting Colombian Students: Challenges, Opportunities and Advice". I presented this session along with two Colombian colleagues and friends, Rosa Maria Salazar from COLFUTURO-Bogota and Martha Roman from Armenia-BNC. The attendance and the questions at the end, showed that university representatives, as well as international student advisers, are very interested in Colombian students and how to recruit them. I encourage Colombian advisers working at centers affiliated with EducationUSA, who are interested in attending future NAFSA Conferences to keep making presentations at U.S. universities on how to recruit Colombian Students.
I was not only lucky to attend the Conference but also to be part of the USBT 20th Anniversary Celebration. Several events were held to honor the occasion. During the day, I participated in the USBT Reunion Alumni Seminar Program. In the evening, I attended the remarkable and fun USBT reunion.
After such a wonderful PAL experience, I just want to express my sincere gratitude to the Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission in Colombia, Dr. Agustin Lombana, to the Cultural Affairs Officer at the American Embassy, Mr. Lawrence Corwin, to the Program Officers at the Educational Information and Resources Branch of the U.S. Department of State, Ms. Dorothy Mora and Ms. Jean Z. Frisbie, and to my Regional Educational Advising Coordinator (REAC), Ms. Rosemarie Arens, for their continuous support and assistance.
I also owe a debt of gratitude to Ms. Janine Farhat, PAL Program Manager, for organizing the program, to Ms. Debbie Hefferon, for putting experiences into practice for life, to Theresa Carroll Schweser, Director of the International Education Office at The College Board, to Carol Blythe, to Monique Mauge and to all the others who made this PAL Program a wonderful experience for me as the Director of Educational Advising at the Fulbright Commission in Colombia.

TIPS ON GRADUATE-LEVEL ADMISSION PROCESSES AND PRACTICES

All U.S. graduate schools are independent. Each department sets its own requirements for admission. Students interested in pursuing graduate studies in the United States should start the admission process approximately 12 to 16 months before they plan to begin their studies.
Students should write directly to the graduate admission offices of the institutions to obtain information and application forms. They need to provide admission offices with complete information on their major academic area of interest, academic background (field of specialization), professional background, sources of financial aid, and full name and address. Students should also give this information to the department of interest.
Before establishing contacts at U.S. universities, students need to have certain information beforehand (e.g. whether the university offers the type of program they are interested in, if they fulfill the academic requirements, if financial aid is needed and/or if a scholarship or other financial support has been provided.)
Students need to know they may not be accepted at the U.S. university of their choice, and should apply to more than one institution.
Students need to complete the admission application carefully. They must provide all required information and documents/credentials including official academic records (make sure to have an English translation). Students may also need to include a copy of their admission exam scores: e.g. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). It is also important to inquire about other necessary admission tests, and to request academic and professional letters of recommendation.
Pay close attention to deadlines. Academic programs may have different deadlines. Never take mail delays as an excuse. Some institutions may require two application forms: one for the Department and another for the Graduate Admissions Office.
As soon as students receive acceptance or rejection letters, they must convey their decision and thank the institution for taking their application forms into consideration.
Start the visa process within 90 days before initiation of the graduate program in the U.S.

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