Student Outcomes, Tori Hoff, University of Miami

Hi!! I’m Tori Hoff and I graduated from the University of Miami in May 2021. I double majored in Public Relations and Media Management. I quickly found my passion for TV and entertainment through my classes and UMTV, the University of Miami TV station. I spent my summers during college interning at a public relations firm, a casting agency and doing career development programs with Endeavor and Warner Music Group.

During my final semester at UM, I interned at NBC Universal in the Ad Sales organization with the Digital Account Services department. At this internship, I was able to take on a lot of responsibilities and realized how much more there was to learn about the opportunities that existed within the entertainment industry.

Almost exactly a year ago, I moved to Manhattan and started my full time position at NBC Universal. I am a Project Coordinator with the Creative Partnerships department within Ad Sales. Project Management was not something I knew existed during college but since starting my role, I have found a true passion for it. This job is totally different than what I did during my internship but I aligned closely with the culture at NBCU and was thrilled to return in a more creative role! I work on many different projects from live events to digital ads and can truly say that I learn something new every day. I love working in an environment that thrives off creativity, shared passion and teamwork. When I’m not working, I love to explore the city, spend time with my friends and family, and try new things.

I love my job and know the experiences I had the University

of Miami had a great impact on getting me to where I am today!

#It’sAllAboutTheU #GoCanes

On essays: stop trying so hard to be unique

I am sharing an important email I received from the Wow Writing Workshop this past week. I have completed their essay program along with several others and agree with this message wholeheartedly. Yes–it contradicts what many people believe, even some other essay specialists. However, in my experience, my students who write normal essays and stress less seem to do very well.

I advise students to forego overdone topics (how social media makes them feels inadequate, sports injuries, and how they realize their privilege while doing community service in underserved areas). However, when a student is denied by an unlikely college, the common app essay is not the reason unless it is inappropriate (too boastful or expressing prejudice). And even the above topics can be made more personal if handled in an authentic way!

Shawn Felton, Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Deputy Chief Admissions and Enrollment Officer at Cornell University, said this:

I've been working in college admissions for a few decades. In this time, I've noticed that students spend too much time searching for stories they believe will make them sound different or unique.

Please don't do that. It's a waste of your time. I don't want different. I don't want unique. I just want to know what makes you the person you are. I want to know what matters to you. I want to know what you care about. I want to know what you dream about.

If you want me or any admissions decision maker to notice you, try to worry less about standing out, and focus instead on standing up. There is a preoccupation with being different and unique among college applicants. I get it. The stakes are high, and there are so many applicants to so many schools these days.

But the reality is, most college applicants are much more alike than they are different. The search for something unique to share is a long, windy road going nowhere quickly. Instead, worry less about being unique and just be you and show admissions readers who you are.

This year, I have a few students who will not let their common app essays, and any others, go. My deadline for the main Common App essay is August 1st, which means that students have had roughly 6 weeks to perfect it. The more I can help lower the stakes at this high-stakes time, the calmer my students will be. And calm students write stronger college essays.

Grad Outcomes, Rebecca Volkov, Emory University

I advise students that there are many ways to do important work in healthcare that require fewer than 8+ years of education. The years Rebecca spent doing scientific research made her a highly-qualified candidate for her job at a consulting company with a division solely devoted to healthcare.

"This past May, I graduated from Emory University with a bachelors of sciences in Human Health and a minor in Health Innovation. Since graduating, I launched my career with FTI Consulting in their New York City office. Employing my major from Emory, I work under the Healthcare segment at FTI with a focus on regulatory compliance and litigation.

Emory has opened doors for me both academically and professionally and I look forward to being a part of its impressive alumni association."