Eye on the Storm: The Official Undergraduate Admissions Blog of the National Leader in Experiential, Hands-on Learning

It’s been super busy around Keuka lately. There were tons of deadlines right before break, and now that we’re back, we’re looking at tons of new deadlines, like picking roommates, and deciding our schedules. It’s been a little crazy around here.

Scheduling. My favorite time of the year. I’ve been contemplating a minor in sociology for some time now, and finally decided that I’ll have it, and I’m glad I did. This is the best advice I can give you right now: Pick your minor before your junior year. If you don’t, you will not be able to have said minor most likely.

As an English major I’m used to ridiculous schedules, like some of the upper level classes only being offered once every two years, so you have to plan accordingly. Well, apparently that’s not just an English thing. Clearly, the upper level sociology classes are the same. So I’ve been pretty busy. My schedule is a little on the messy side right now. I’m looking at some pretty rough English classes for the next year, with a few of the easier sociology classes, then my senior year, I’ll just be taking three English classes, with a bunch of harder sociology classes.

I think I’m doing alright so far. Obviously college is a lot of work, and I didn’t really figure that out until my sophomore year (this year). So this is my other bit of advice for the day: Learn how to study while you’re in high school. It will definitely make things so much easier when you’re in college.

HOWEVER! If for some reason you don’t teach yourself how to study, we do have a convenient Academic Success at Keuka (ASK) office here. So fret not! Keuka has your back. You can have awesome smart students tutor you, or you can have a weekly meeting with the ASK professionals (mine’s today actually). It’s free, comes with your education here at Keuka, so take advantage of it.

Here’s a link of what they do at ASK

     Okay. Okay. This blog has gone on long enough without a business major’s perspective on things. Business is one of the top 3 most popular majors at Keuka College you know, and of course the best (no bias whatsoever). During my college search I was quick to find that pretty much every college ever founded offers some sort of business program – so why did I pick Keuka College? Well, I will do my best to explain my decision to you, although it may take a few entries.

            I will start with the first reason. I came to an open house at Keuka when I was a high school senior. At the open house I got the opportunity to meet some of the professors from the business department. Now, I had met professors at other colleges, but there was something about this group of characters that really inspired me (man I hope they read this). All of my professors have valuable real world experience that they bring to the classroom. They are successful, yet down to earth. I can talk to them about anything, whether it be about my weekend plans or asking for help on a project I may have in another class. I will be the first to admit that they are a great asset to my education, even though sometimes they can be a pain!

          There are many other reasons why our Business Division is so great, and I will share more soon. Right now I gotta run – tennis practice starts in a bit!

Hi Everyone,

Here at Keuka College, most of the admissions counselors spring travel revolves around college fairs. Some may be at high schools (often called college nights and takes place in the gym or cafeteria) and others may be a national college fair…the kind that may involve a school field trip to a local convention center. National college fairs, offered through NACAC, can be extremely overwhelming to those who are new to the college search process.  Here are some tips to make sure you have the best and most productive time at a college fair.

•       Before the fair, make note of schools you want to see.  Most times there will be a list of participating colleges available before the actual fair online or your guidance office may have a listing.
•      Research those particular schools before the fair, so you have specific questions for each school.
•     Once at the fair, start at the schools you want information from or have questions for. Many fairs are at least 2 hours giving you plenty of time to check out other schools and wander the aisles.
•      Figure out what questions are most important for you to ask. Examples could be a particular major, cost, application process, and housing options.
•  The front rows get especially busy in the beginning of the fair. Starting with the last rows and working your way to the front may mean you won’t stand in line waiting to speak to a counselor that is overcrowded with people when the fair first starts.
• Put your best face forward when speaking to an admissions counselor. Many of us are the ones who will be sending you information, reading your application and helping you while you conduct your college search. You’ll be surprised as to what (and whom!) we remember from college fairs.
•    Bring address labels to use instead of writing out inquiry cards for more information. Sometimes we can’t read your handwriting clearly which means we can’t send you info. Many students use their return address labels while others make labels that also list their intended major, graduation year, email and high school.

And finally have fun at a college fair. Admissions counselors attend college fairs to get your questions answered and to get you excited about attending college. Don’t be afraid to come back a second time if you thought of another question. That’s what we are there for!

Many questions regarding the major of criminology and criminal justice have recently surfaced.  Since I am a Criminal Justice Major and I thought I could try and answer a few…

Why do I have to major in both Criminology and Criminal Justice?? Why not just one?

In order to give students a complete education, Keuka College has put both Criminology and Criminal Justice together to better prepare you for your career.  Criminology is the scientific study of a crime where as Criminal Justice involves the study of law-enforcement agencies, courts, corrections, and criminal law and their relationship. 

What types of courses do have to take?

We take courses in political science, sociology and psychology. Criminology Theory and Methods, Predatory Crime and Violence, Juvenile Delinquency, White-Collar Crime, Corporate Crime, and Victimology, Intoduction to Criminal Justice, Relations of Law Enforcement, Criminal Investigation, Criminal Law, Punishment, Treatment, and Corrections, and Juvenile Justice are a few classes that we are required to take before we graduate. 

How are the professors?

I have come to notice that most faculty here at Keuka are very approachable and supportive.  They know so much in their field of study it amazes me.  They have such a passion for teaching and they truly care about our success.   They are always willing to help in any way possible and are very understanding.   

What got you interested in Keuka’s Criminology and Criminal Justice Program?

As an incoming freshman, I was originally a Political Science and History major.  I was really unsure what I wanted to do.  I did my first field period at the District Attorney’s office in my hometown and sat in on a rape trial.  This is when I figured out that I am in the wrong major.  I knew I couldn’t be a prosecutor or defense attorney which I had originally wanted to do when I graduated.  I was really more interested in the rehabilitation or alternatives to incarceration process. 

It was that next semester when I changed my major to Criminology and Criminal Justice.  My advisor helped me tremendously through this process.  I feel as if this major fits me so much better and I am still really happy with my decision.  I feel on top of the world because I finally found my niche and even made the dean’s list this semester!! 

I hope this helps in helping answer some of the questions you may have. 

Hi Everyone!

Spring travel has begun! It’s that time of year again…. Admissions Counselors across the country have gotten back into “travel mode” as we are making our way to your hometowns to showcase our colleges.

All of us at Keuka College are ready to get back on the road to see some familiar faces as well as meet new ones.

To check and see when we are heading to your neighborhood, head to our admissions homepage, click on find your counselor, enter your zip code and state, then click on your counselor’s name. After the brief bio of the counselor, it will list our travel schedule for this spring.

Be sure to stop by and say hi-we love meeting our students and answering questions about Keuka.

Keep checking the blog in the future as I’ll write about what to expect at a college fair for those of you who are new to the college search process!

Completing a Keuka Field Period is not only fun, but you learn so much in just one month.  There are also some responsibilities that come with a Field Period that must be completely fulfilled before you can earn your 3 credits.

Before completing a field period, you must fill out a learning contract which outlines what your goals, objectives, and activities you wish to experience during your time at the site.  You also must choose an unique documentation which could be but are not limited to, a scrapbook, videotaping yourself in action, a portfolio or PowerPoint presentation, just to name a few.  This contract must be approved and signed by your advisor.  Then you must have your site supervisor sign the contract as well. Once all of the paperwork is complete, you are ready to embark on a Field Period Adventure!!! 

During your field period, you are required to write a journal entry every day to explain what your observed, took part in, or just thought about throughout the day.  This journal will be handed in at the end of completion of your field period to your advisor. 

After your field period, you must finish your unique documentation which you chose when filling out your learning contract.  You also must complete a summary paper of about 3-4 pages in length which talks about what you did and observed, analyzing what you did, and what are you going to take from what you learned.  Your journal is a very helpful tool when writing your summary paper.

Overall, the Field Period process is not too difficult if you really put effort into it.  Look at it this way, you get a month off of school work and all of this experience will help you in the long run.  If you really think about it, if you were at a job interview with another recent college graduate who did not graduate from Keuka, and you had a lot more experience in the professional field from your Field Periods then the other graduate, who do you think will get the job? I’ll let you decide.

Wow, time flies! First off, update from my Field Period, Italy was incredible…I had the time of my life! Italy has some of the best culture and sights in the world! The hundreds of pictures I took don’t do the country justice.

Now that I am back from Italy, I am contributing to the many programs on campus that are highlighting culture and diversity.

Bearers of Ancient Kultures United (BAKU - the multicultural club), which I am President of, created programs for Black History Month, including showing the movie the Secret Life of Bees with a discussion with the Director of Multicultural Affairs here on campus, Chevanne DeVaney. We have also spend a few hours talking with new students!!

The Office of Multicultural Affairs has also been creating programs that surpass anything done before! Chevanne DeVaney is continuing every day to bring new cultural experiences to us. We had Lucille Mallard here, the Geneva Chapter President of the NAACP, to celebrate the 100 years of the NAACP.

For the future, March is bringing two influencial people to campus. NCAA Diversity Speaker Brian C. Johnson and Judge Roy W. King from Rochester for the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration!

Be looking for an interview with Chevanne DeVaney! She is one influencial woman on campus and a great mentor!