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My Folly
I'm looking for feedback on my proctor application, due Friday morning. I'm not even entirely sure what they're trying to read out of this.
% Personal Statement: Address your interest, reasons, and qualifications
% for applying for the proctor position.
Having spent this school year living in an off-campus apartment, I've come
to realize the unique benefits that Harvey Mudd's residential environment
offers to students. The community has a clear and long-lasting impression
on everyone within it, and I want to be a leader within that community.
The academic environment at Mudd is stressful; there is certainly no denying
that. I have seen the circumstances that lead students either to thrive
or to fall behind, and I want to do everything I can to help upcoming classes
with the pressures and difficulties they'll encounter.
These last two semesters, I've worked as a grader and tutor---for CS 70 on
Mudd, and CS 140 on Pomona. The semester before that, I took on the job
of directing the Rocky Horror Show, presented annually by the 5-C club
Emergency Exit Productions. In both these roles, I had the opportunity to
help my fellow students learn new things and develop old skills, and
the pleasure of watching them explore and excel. As a proctor, I'd find
myself in a similar position, but instead of a strictly limited leadership
role, I'd be able to help students with issues throughout their lives.
\begin{enumerate}
\item % What is the most important responsibility of a proctor?
The Harvey Mudd proctors are, above all else, role models for the community.
Although they keep student life flowing smoothly and safely, their presence
and visibility as upstanding, active members of the community serves to
inspire the incoming freshmen that, despite the work and trials ahead that
bitter upperclassmen will take great delight in threatening them with, Mudd
can be a place to work and live and grow.
\item % What would be the most difficult aspect of being a proctor be for you?
When called upon as the arbiter of a debate, I often find that both sides
present compelling arguments. Rather than seeing the benefit of a compromise,
I'll find myself focusing on what each side loses by the compromise. This
focus on the negatives often makes any decision seem distasteful, and my
indecision often leads me to an answer that in fact changes very litle, and
often enough. I would have to actively engage myself in seeking useful and
lasting solutions.
\item % How would you be a good proctor?
Over the last three years, I've made it my policy to get work done sooner
rather than later. I've arranged my schedule to get as many requirements out
of the way as soon as I can, leaving me free to take a relatively academically
light courseload next year. Having less classwork than any previous semester
will leave me more free time to dedicate to dorm activities, and leave me
free and available at any hour when students would want to talk. I've also
discovered that cooking is a very relaxing activity for me, so I would
endeavour to provide more substantive and wholesome refreshments for the
dorm than mere candy.
Help of all sorts is much appreciated. Also... I wonder who else would be up for pr0xt0r? Shimshock?
click
% Personal Statement: Address your interest, reasons, and qualifications
% for applying for the proctor position.
Having spent this school year living in an off-campus apartment, I've come
to realize the unique benefits that Harvey Mudd's residential environment
offers to students. The community has a clear and long-lasting impression
on everyone within it, and I want to be a leader within that community.
The academic environment at Mudd is stressful; there is certainly no denying
that. I have seen the circumstances that lead students either to thrive
or to fall behind, and I want to do everything I can to help upcoming classes
with the pressures and difficulties they'll encounter.
These last two semesters, I've worked as a grader and tutor---for CS 70 on
Mudd, and CS 140 on Pomona. The semester before that, I took on the job
of directing the Rocky Horror Show, presented annually by the 5-C club
Emergency Exit Productions. In both these roles, I had the opportunity to
help my fellow students learn new things and develop old skills, and
the pleasure of watching them explore and excel. As a proctor, I'd find
myself in a similar position, but instead of a strictly limited leadership
role, I'd be able to help students with issues throughout their lives.
\begin{enumerate}
\item % What is the most important responsibility of a proctor?
The Harvey Mudd proctors are, above all else, role models for the community.
Although they keep student life flowing smoothly and safely, their presence
and visibility as upstanding, active members of the community serves to
inspire the incoming freshmen that, despite the work and trials ahead that
bitter upperclassmen will take great delight in threatening them with, Mudd
can be a place to work and live and grow.
\item % What would be the most difficult aspect of being a proctor be for you?
When called upon as the arbiter of a debate, I often find that both sides
present compelling arguments. Rather than seeing the benefit of a compromise,
I'll find myself focusing on what each side loses by the compromise. This
focus on the negatives often makes any decision seem distasteful, and my
indecision often leads me to an answer that in fact changes very litle, and
often enough. I would have to actively engage myself in seeking useful and
lasting solutions.
\item % How would you be a good proctor?
Over the last three years, I've made it my policy to get work done sooner
rather than later. I've arranged my schedule to get as many requirements out
of the way as soon as I can, leaving me free to take a relatively academically
light courseload next year. Having less classwork than any previous semester
will leave me more free time to dedicate to dorm activities, and leave me
free and available at any hour when students would want to talk. I've also
discovered that cooking is a very relaxing activity for me, so I would
endeavour to provide more substantive and wholesome refreshments for the
dorm than mere candy.
Help of all sorts is much appreciated. Also... I wonder who else would be up for pr0xt0r? Shimshock?
click
no subject
Second, how long is the application at present? Is there room for expansion? I think your answer to the last question could do with some further content, as it seems to focus more on the technical aspects of proctor-dom than the emotional and mental aspects. As I understand the position, it's a huge emotional and mental commitment, and while I think you're up for it, you need to make it clear that you are.
Third, the application feels a bit forced right now. Loosen up a bit and be yourself.
no subject
It looks good. You say who you are. You might try putting how you are going to get over your difficulty with helping people sort out disputes. Having a plan to deal with it shows that you know you'll need to change some to fit the role.
On the last one you list things you want to do. You may want to trim the first couple sentences down though. It comes off a little haughty right now. Kind of like you're saying "I'm a better person than you because I can have a light courseload". You may also want to think of another reason you'd be a good proctor. My year at least half the proctors were in hellish semesters one or both semester's Senior year. In fact my course load was probably the lightest or second lightest.
Think about which dorm you want. I assume you want East. If that's the case you may want to think of what a good East proctor deals with and show how you have skills in that arena. I wouldn't say East by name, but each dorm requires different skills and people often have specific dorms in mind. Showing you have the skills to work well in the dorm you want would be valuable.
Oh, and way to go addressing the fact you live off campus in a positive way.
no subject
~k.