connecticut river

Lee Coffin

Vice Provost for Enrollment & Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid
Lee Coffin

About 

Students think of a "Dean" as the signature on a decision letter, someone like the Wizard of Oz: an idea more than a person. Well, here I am, emerging from behind the proverbial curtain! My insights are informed by my background: I was a first generation college student and need-based financial aid opened my door to opportunity. I attended a large high school that sent few to selective colleges. Advice was thin. I was largely on my own. My blog helps me reach those of you in a similar place.

Academic Program 

B.A. History, Ed.M. Administration, Planning & Social Policy

Favorite Thing Right Now 

Serial

Hometown 

Shelton, Connecticut

Pronouns 

He/Him

You are here

Lee on snowy campus
Dartmouth Hall against blue sky
Dartmouth at dusk
Dartmouth hall in the snow
outside McNutt in the snow

Daily Dean

On this campus framed by nature, I can't help but stop to document the casual beauty I stumble upon. Here are some highlights from my snowy strolls.

Posted 03/22/2018 at 4:00 PMAll Photo Posts

Tis the Season

In less than two weeks, the annual admissions calendar hits one of its milestone moments—not quite a “holiday” but as close as it gets in this realm—as the application deadline arrives on January 1 (aka New Year’s Day to those not focused on all-t

  1. No. 1

    It’s okay to brag about yourself.

    Your application is your story. It’s your way of introducing yourself to the colleges on your list, and the goal is to share your personal narrative in a confident, clear and compelling way. Years from now, you’ll do something similar as you apply for jobs and write a cover letter that accompanies your resume. What might feel like “bragging” is really your first opportunity to showcase your interests and talents to someone who does not know you.

  2. No. 2

    The looming deadline is for you, not the people who will recommend you.

    In other words, you must hit “submit” on the Common Application or Coalition Application by 11:59P on January 1. That action creates your admissions “record” on Dartmouth’s system: it lets us know you’re there and that we should start collecting all the required elements about you. Your teacher, guidance counselor and peer (if you choose to submit one) recommendations as well as mid-year grades, an alumni interview report (your application triggers the referral to your local interviewing committee), and any late-breaking standardized testing can arrive after January 1. If something is missing, we’ll let you know.

  3. No. 3

    Speaking of the moments immediately after you submit your application: you are not sending a text.

    Your application is a (very) large document that gets processed through a high-volume server before it gets uploaded to us. That technical transfer is not instantaneous, especially when literally thousands of you usually hit “send” at the same moment on or about December 31. (Tip 3A: Avoid the rush, submit early. Procrastination causes technical gridlock.) This point is important: do not panic when/if you check your status and your application hasn’t been processed. Give the surge a few days to work its way through the server…or submit your application before December 31. (I seem to be repeating myself. I’ve become your parent…)

Read More

Posted 12/19/2017 at 8:45 AMAll List Posts