Just getting started

Just getting started Hello. My name is David duKor-Jackson, and I am exceptionally fortunate to serve as an MIT Admissions Officer. Everyone in the office has a specific role and mine is to serve as both an Associate Director of Admissions (traveling, giving presentations, reading applications and participating in the admissions committee) and the Director of Minority Recruitment, leading efforts to ensure that qualified students from a variety of backgrounds investigate and apply to MIT. While that is what I do, that doesnt really tell you who I am.  The best insight that I can give you is based upon feedback that I get from my colleagues.  On a number of occasions, I have been told that I tend to channel Dr. Huxtable from The Cosby Show. I don’t know if that is a fair comparison, since he’s a doctor and is on a TV show, and I, sadly, am neither. I have heard the comparison frequently enough to reflect on it though. I will grant you that I have a penchant for sweaters, but not of the wild variety favored by Heathcliff Huxtable. I have also collected my fair share of college sweatshirts and apparel, having worked at four other universities prior to my arrival at MIT. I have a knack for speaking extensively about nothing in particular, and as a result, neither my children nor my colleagues like to ask me questions. If I do get asked a question, it is much more likely that I will tell a story to illustrate a point, rather than simply answering “yes” or “no.” Of course, one doesn’t need to ask a question to get a story because I frequently “Remember when…” I have a tendency to indulge in foods that are not necessarily the best thing for me, particularly desserts. In fact, within the admissions office, I have a legendary sweet tooth, ensuring that whenever anyone brings in some sweet treat, I am frequently among the first to be notified, possibly for my approval and endorsement, or pe rhaps simply to remain in my good graces. I also tend to see myself as an irascible curmudgeon, but nobody believes this since I rarely go anywhere without a mischievous grin. I dont necessarily see the connection, but I am happy to allow you to come to your own conclusions.   As for this space, I cant promise to be amusing and entertaining all of the time, but you can reasonably expect me to provide some guidance as you navigate to college search process.