Bryan Nance | August 11, 2005
"No Good Deed Goes Unpunished"
Billie Holiday said it best, "Them that's got shall get, Them that's not shall lose... God bless the child that's got his own." If knowledge is power, then good blogs elevate and transform their audiences into power brokers. For some time now I've been intrigued by all forms of communication and their effect on society, in particular that of minority populations. I've come to see the Internet (and now blogs) with a strong fascination, mild skepticism and much trepidation. My blog will hopefully give you a backstage pass to the theater of the absurd, better known as College Admissions.
I've resisted jumping into the fray until now for one simple reason: I didn't feel that I had anything of substance to share. But the more that I speak to young people, the more I'm convinced that there is room for one more raspy and slightly nasal New York voice. Can we tawk?
DISCLAMER: THIS BLOG IS NOT THE PLACE TO WORK OUT POLITICAL OR RACIAL AGRESSION. IF THAT IS THE FIGHT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR, MAY I SUGGEST AM TALK RADIO.
Instead I will discuss real issues that affect minorities and the college application process. Does that mean that you have to be a minority to glean wisdom from, or participate in, this blog? Au contraire, mon frere! This is a place to recognize and support all diversity with particular sensitivity to the African American, Latina/o, and Native American communities. I can't promise you the answers to all of your questions - remember, the only way out is to THINK your way out. Enough said. Let's get down to business.
Who is This Guy?
Hey Skeech how did we get here? (Movie trivia #1) Good question! Please allow myself to introduce... myself. (Movie trivia #2)
I was born in Queens, New York and I've lived in Seoul, Republic of Korea; Tacoma Washington; Indianapolis, Indiana; Newark, Delaware and most recently Ithaca, New York. I am a graduate of Norfolk State University (Home of the Spartans!) and the University of Delaware, (Home of The Fightin' Blue Hens AKA The Ass Kickin' Chicken!). I served as an active duty US Army Officer (Adjutant General Corps) where I learned how to jump from perfectly good aircraft while in flight. (AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY!). Finally, I am married to Kristina with 2 daughters Lauren (13), McKinley (21 months) and a son due in early January.
I've always been interested in causes where I can make a difference. While in grad school at UD I had the chance to accompany a faculty member on a recruiting trip. I was blown away! I remember saying to the Professor a few weeks later, "I really enjoyed that recruiting thing last week - too bad you can't do that as a job."
His response was quite appropriate: "Well, Bryan, it's not a job; it's a profession - called College Admissions."
Three weeks after graduation I entered "the profession" as an Admissions Counselor at Ithaca College. Since then I've held several positions, all related in some way to minority recruitment at Cornell University.
Fast-forward six years and I'm the new Director of Minority Recruitment at MIT. So tune in periodically; we'll laugh, we'll cry, we'll dole out a hefty share of sarcasm.
Is the glass half empty or half full? Who cares, I ordered a pizza!
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The author has filed this entry in the "The MIT Minority Community" section; check it out for further reading on this topic. |
Responses To This Entry:
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Welcome to the MyMIT blogging community Bryan! Now give me some of that pizza.
Posted by: Ben on August 16, 2005 01:46 PM
Hello Bryan;
I just wanted to say, how great it is to see you join the *great* Blogging team there at MIT! I feel it confirms MIT's commitment to diversity. My question is, my son passed on his acceptance to the MITE2S program to participate in the NASA Sharp program. Is there an "official" relationship between NASA and MIT? And is his research paper and PowerPoint presentation something that he should submit with his application? I look forward to your response and also to hearing about some of the activities that support the African American, Latina/o, and Native American communities
Posted by: NorthCoast Dad on August 17, 2005 04:52 AM
Good Evening NorthCoast Dad,
Thank you for your kind words. You are correct! MIT is committed to diversity.
Great questions! Question1: We do not have a formal ’Äúrelationship’Äù with the NASA Sharp program. (Please allow me read a little into your first question.) Can it be that you are also interested in knowing if your son is less likely to get admitted because he turned down the MITE2S opportunity? The answer is no. I assume that your son chose the NASA Sharp program because that is where his passions lie. I am far more interested in a student who follows his passions for learning than a student who would choose MITE2S because he thought it to be a ’Äúback door’Äù in the MIT admissions process.
Question 2: He should send a copy of his research, an abstract and the slide presentation condensed so that several slides fit on sheet of paper. Again, that research alone is meaningless if it is not accompanied by his passion.
Question 3: There are too many activities for under-represented minorities to list. Fortunately, MIT is a place has students involved in everything from Undergraduate Research (UROP) to intramural sports. Might I suggest that you look at the Organizations and Student Groups web page for more in-dept descriptions of activities and opportunities for minority students? That web site is: http://www.mit.edu/life/
I hope that this answers your questions. If not, let me know and I’Äôll take another stab at it!
Posted by: The Nance Effect on August 17, 2005 10:05 PM
Hi Bryan! Welcome to the blogs!
Posted by: Jessie on August 19, 2005 03:16 PM
Hey! I'm glad to see that you got a blog. I was in one of your info sessions a week or so ago. Just dropping a comment off to say hi! *waves*
Posted by: Luyi on August 19, 2005 11:29 PM
Thank you for the warm welcome Jessie! Feel free to join in whenever you like! I'm thrilled to be part of the blogging community!
Posted by: The Nance Effect on August 22, 2005 10:34 PM
Luyl,
Glad to hear you survied one of my first info sessions! Hopefully you still want to attend MIT!
Posted by: The Nance Effect on August 22, 2005 10:35 PM
