ADMISSION TO-DO LIST

Dena Barker

Admission Counselor

Biography in Brief:
Dena is a native of the Pacific Northwest and a graduate of the University of Washington, where she studied Communication and English. During her time as a student, Dena took on peer advising and mentoring roles with First Year Programs and the Center for Career Services, and was also active with her sorority and the Panhellenic Association. She also enjoyed on-campus employment opportunities in a number of departments – so much that she now does it full time! Since graduating, Dena has lived in Seattle and Spokane, WA. Her admissions career began at Eastern Washington University in 2007, and she’s happy to be continuing at Chapman (though she does miss the rain sometimes).

Advice from Dena:
“I have a couple of things! That first is that I would encourage students to think outside the box as they are considering schools. There are literally thousands of schools in the USA and even more around the rest of the world, but many of us can only name a few dozen, if that. Don’t be afraid to tour a school where you don’t know anyone, or to check out a campus just because you like their website. It just may be the perfect school for you. My other piece of advice is to be yourself on the application. You don’t need to have your entire college career figured out (or explained) on your application, just give the committee a chance to get to know you. Oh, one more thing – don’t forget to read the directions!”

Dena's favorite spot on campus:

“I really like Atallah Piazza since it’s very unique to Chapman. I haven’t seen anything like it on any other campuses! It’s right in the middle of campus so there is lots of activity and energy there during the school year. It’s also really relaxing to sit by, or even dip your feet into the fountain – even if only for a few minutes.”

Dena's best admission memory:

“There have been so many highlights! My colleague David May has even caught a number of them on film (including an April Fool’s Prank, conference preparations, and a swim through our influx of mail during application season). I have had some adventures getting lost in other states and driving through snowstorms (well, they felt like snowstorms!) on the way to visit high schools, or exploring cities with new friends, in between college fairs. It is tough to pick just one!”

Dena's best college memory:

How do I narrow it down to one? Well, sorority adventures aside, I had the opportunity to be a Peer Advisor to incoming students the summer after I graduated from UW. It was really cool to end my four years there by welcoming the new students and helping them get off to a good start. It also firmed up my desire to work in higher education, so I feel pretty lucky to have had that experience and to be able to do something similar now in my current job. And, I am especially thankful for the fact that it allowed me to wear a purple t-shirt every day for an entire summer.”

From Our Application

Fast Facts

Three Words to Describe Yourself: Caffeinated Nostalgic Washingtonian

Favorite Subject: Creative Writing and Communication

Role Model: Right now, Michelle Obama. However, this one changes often.

Favorite Musical Performer/Band/Composer: Dave Barnes/ Sugarland/ Stephen Schwartz (for Wicked)

Most Prized Possession: My engagement ring

Favorite Summer Activity: In high school, it was definitely camp counseling at my old camp in WA state. Nowadays, it’s finding ways to avoid the lines in Disneyland

Book You Would Read Again: Gone with the Wind

Best Movie of All Time: Love Actually, True Lies, Dirty Dancing, License to Drive, Ocean’s Eleven, High School Musical 3: Senior Year…

Favorite Quote (and by whom): The question isn't ‘what are we going to do,’ the question is ‘what aren't we going to do?’ – Ferris Bueller

Dream Job: Admissions counselor during the school year, Camp Director in the summer, novelist on the side.