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Who We Are: Meet the Undergraduate Admission Staff

Amy Abrams

Amy Abrams

Dean of Admission and Financial Aid

Contact Amy»
Stephen Schierloh

Stephen Schierloh

Director of Admission

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Shirley Be

Shirley Be

Assistant Dean of Studies / Director of International Admission and Student Advising

Reading area(s): International, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands

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Annalei Burkhalter

Annalei Burkhalter

Director of West Coast Admission

Reading area(s): Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming

Contact Annalei»
Jennifer Gayles

Jennifer Gayles

Associate Director of Admission & Coordinator of Multicultural Recruitment

Reading area(s): New York City (5 boroughs and Long Island)

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Niamh Slevin Roberts

Niamh Slevin Roberts

Senior Assistant Director of Admission

Reading area(s): Connecticut, New Jersey, New York (Upstate), and Pennsylvania

Contact Niamh»
Davita Westbrook MFA ’10

Davita Westbrook MFA ’10

Assistant Director of Admission

Reading area(s): Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New York (Rockland and Westchester), and Virginia

Contact Davita»
R. Aiden Bussey ’09

R. Aiden Bussey ’09

Assistant Director of Admission

Reading area(s): Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont

Contact Aiden»
Adam Exline

Adam Exline

Assistant Director of Admission

Reading area(s): Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Florida, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wisconsin

Contact Adam»
Justin Lutz ’10

Justin Lutz ’10

Admission Counselor

Reading area(s): Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia

Contact Justin»
Will Floyd ’08

Will Floyd ’08

Admission Counselor

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From the Dean

Take a deep breath, relax and believe in yourself.

Undoubtedly you are filing several college applications, and you may dread the work that lies ahead. The essays may seem especially daunting.

You may feel that your interests and experiences up to now don't amount to much. Or you may feel that they are significant, but that you don't want to brag. Try to find a middle ground. We ask you to recognize what you have already accomplished—to be true to the person you have already become, and to tell us about that individual.

You can learn a great deal about yourself in this process. Notice what comes to mind as you weigh your life experiences. If you write about those that seem most important to you, we, too, will be persuaded that they are important. Experience alone is not enough. We want to know what insights you have gained along the way.

My colleagues and I take very seriously the process of reading applications. It is inspiring—and humbling—to contemplate the future of Sarah Lawrence through the thoughts and experiences of the young men and women who will make up its next generation.

If the choices you’ve made in your college search have brought you to Sarah Lawrence, perhaps you are the type of person who would thrive here. What lies ahead for you now is the task of showing us that you are that person.

If we can answer any questions or be of any help as you begin this process, don’t hesitate to let us know.

Sincerely,

Amy B. Abrams
Dean of Admission and Financial Aid