May 2007

Spotlight on Staff: Michael O’Leary

Native Long Islander Michael O’Leary first came to GW as a transfer student in 1981. While pursuing his then-dream of becoming a hospital administrator, he picked up a part-time job in the University’s Admissions Office. Twenty-six years later, he’s the senior associate director of admissions—the number two person in the University charged with selecting the incoming freshman class from a pool of nearly 20,000 applicants.

Q: How does the admissions process work?

A: Admissions follows a predictable annual cycle. In the fall, we travel extensively to visit high schools and meet with prospective students. The admissions staff typically spends six weeks visiting about 45 states and as many as 12 foreign countries. We also interview hundreds of prospective students while we’re on the road and on campus. In December, we begin reviewing our early decision applications and, in January, the regular applications. Every application is read individually, and every application comes through our Admissions Committee.
In late March we send notifications to all regular decision applicants. April is filled with many phone calls, and welcoming thousands of admitted freshmen and their families to campus for our April Visit Days. April also kicks off the college visit season for rising high school seniors, so we see many prospective applicants visit GW in April as well. Throughout the year, but especially in April, we are fortunate to have lots of support from colleagues across the University community.

Q: How difficult is it to choose from among the nearly 20,000 applications GW receives for the freshman class?

A: It’s very difficult. We get so many qualified applicants. This year we admitted only 36 percent, which is a record low. In contrast, when I first worked in the office, we were admitting nearly 80 percent of applicants. First and foremost, we want students who are going to succeed academically. We also look for students who will be a good match for GW. We evaluate students’ academic background, the strength of their high school program, and their grades. In addition, we consider standardized test scores, essays, recommendations, extracurricular activities, interviews, and interest in the University. Crafting the freshman class every year is incredibly complicated; it’s a combination of art and science.

Q: What do you like most about GW?

A: I like the people: the staff, students, faculty, and alumni. I find the atmosphere very energetic and engaging. We never rest on our laurels here. GW is a very exciting place.

Q: Where are some of the most interesting places you’ve traveled?

A: I love to travel, and I’ve been doing it since I was 11 years old. I’ve been to Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East—some 42 countries in all. Two years ago I went to Beijing, which was incredible, but it really would be impossible for me to pick one favorite place.

Q: What would you do if you weren’t working in admissions at GW?

A: I can’t imagine myself doing anything else. I think I’ve found my
calling!

Q: What were you like in high school?

A: I was an introverted kid who was trying to fit in. I was happy, and in the end, high school was a good thing for me.

Q: What kind of movies do you like?

A: I’m somewhat biased, because my brother is in the movie industry. He’s a gaffer—responsible for lighting movie sets—and my favorite movies are some of the ones he’s worked on, including Fargo and The Sixth Sense. Recently, I enjoyed The Queen, and I have to admit that I found myself laughing at Borat.

Q: If you could meet a famous historical figure, who would it be?

A: I don’t know if I can narrow it down to just one, but among my top choices would be Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr., Golda Meir, and Theodore Roosevelt. I have a personal connection to Roosevelt, since my hometown
of Oyster Bay, N.Y., is where he lived—at Sagamore Hill.

Q: What’s on your nightstand?

A: Lots of magazines, including Atlantic Monthly, Washingtonian, Vanity Fair, and, of course, GW Magazine!

Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu