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Getting into college today NBC News "Today" Oct. 23, 2006 -- NBC Today Show's final day of their special series "Getting Into College Today" included a panel of admissions directors from Princeton, Bates College, UCLA and WUSTL's Nanette Tarbouni.

Nanette Tarbouni details WUSTL's outstanding faculty research and teaching, for example, in countless conversations with high-school students and families (who telephone, visit, and meet admissions officers and WUSTL alumni at receptions all over the country and the world).

Weeks before acceptances are mailed in late March, Tarbouni and the admissions committee look into applicants' minds and hearts through their personal essays.

"We put a great deal of care into reading every one," says Tarbouni. "What strikes me most is that these young people have such amazing aspirations, abilities, passions, and contributions to make. Sometimes we find ourselves agonizing while we make our difficult decisions.

"It's humbling to read of the students' achievements — often in spite of terrible heartache, such as the death of a parent. And sometimes I think if parents read what these students write about their parents divorcing, they might stay married.

"We're building a collectively well-rounded community of individuals with different strengths and passions. Some will be well-rounded kids because that's who they are and what they do, but others will have a singular talent.

"WUSTL is always ready for visitors — any time!" Tarbouni says.

Such energy is essential to the admissions effort. In all, Tarbouni and her team travel to nearly every state and several international locations, and admissions staff are always on duty, representing the University in every public moment.