Division I athletes aren’t the only students who are recruited for Penn. Each year, Kelly Writers House expands the pipeline to the University through concentrated efforts to connect with and admit talented high school writers.
Associate Director of Recruitment for the Creative Writing Program Jamie-Lee Josselyn manages the institution’s official recruitment program — which takes her to various high schools in an effort to encourage skilled writers to apply to Penn. According to Josselyn, it is “important for creative students to know from the jump that the university they attend cares about them as creative students, writers, and artists.”
In an interview, she explained that she looks for students who “might not otherwise find Penn” or who may have been unaware of the University’s writing community and creative offerings.
Josselyn, a 2005 College graduate, began working as KWH Associate Faculty Director Al Filreis’ assistant upon graduation.
Initially, Filreis managed the center’s recruitment through correspondence with interested students. In 2012, Josselyn took on and transformed the role, explaining that it “made sense” to “be more proactive than reactive in our efforts finding students.”
She now visits certain high school programs that she believes KWH “should be connected to.” She also hosts the Summer Workshop for Young Writers, a 10-day residential program for high school students who want to explore a creative Penn education.
College first year Adley Hill was one of them. When she first imagined her college education, Penn was not in consideration. She highlighted Josselyn’s visit to her high school, which changed her perspective on the University as a place where she could pursue her interest in creative writing.
Since arriving on campus, Hill has explored an “underground and underappreciated culture of arts” at Penn.
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“I never would’ve envisioned myself at an Ivy League school,” she reflected. Hill credited her decision to come to Penn to her interactions with Josselyn and time spent at the summer workshop.
She added that for those not already involved with KWH through its email list or website, promotion isn’t very “in-your-face” — but expressed that the limited advertising made the program feel “more intimate.”
Josselyn emphasized the impact her support carries during the college admissions process.
“I can answer questions that students have as they’re going through the application process, then I communicate with admissions to let them know who I’ve been in touch with,” she said.
According to Hill, about five or six of the 15 people in her summer program cohort are now enrolled students at Penn.
After students are admitted to the University, Josselyn continues her correspondence with them.
“We can make sure they get involved and have all the support and information they need to hit the ground running,” she added.
College first-year Marlen Flores-Jimenez highlighted the help she received during the admissions process. Josselyn reviewed and left feedback on her personal statement — which is a required part of the Common App admissions platform.
“I’m not the kind of person who loves over-the-top support, but I think words of encouragement mean a lot to me,” Flores-Jimenez said. “I don’t think she knows how much her words meant to me at that moment.”
The Creative Writing Recruitment Program also aims to inform first-generation and low-income students about campus opportunities — including the University’s “great financial aid,” according to Josselyn.
She added that she attempts to help students settle into life at Penn and establish themselves among the KWH community. Both Hill and Flores-Jimenez currently hold work-study positions at KWH and stay involved in events.
“Penn will always have a reputation for being a pre-professional place,” she said. “KWH ensures that creative students have a home here as well, and that students who want to have professional writing and writing-related careers can get support and preparation too.”
Josselyn acknowledged that KWH has “been fortunate” to launch its “efforts in a unique way.” She credited “great colleagues in Admissions who’ve been very supportive of our work over all these years.”
