First Year at Xavier

2008

Biography

Welcome to Xavier, I'm happy you're here! My name is Julie Nelson and I am the Chicago Regional Recruitment Director. I was born and raised in the south suburbs of Chicago and have a younger brother and sister. I went to Catholic schools for 12 years (grade school and college - I was a “public” in high school). Throughout high school and college, I was a really involved student: cheerleading, musicals, newspaper, speech team, choir, student government and retreats. When I went to college, I majored in journalism, because I love words. If you asked me then what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would have told you a “talk show host.”  In a lot of ways, that’s kind of what I do! I’ve been in the world of college admission since 1993. I live in the Chicago suburb of Batavia, IL with my husband Chris, my son Andrew (XU ‘24),  my daughter Charlotte, and our amazing rescue dog Lulu.

Hometown

Orland Park, IL... the golf capital of the world (or so it says on the water towers)

Favorite thing about Xavier

Our students are the best. They are a super blend of people who take their studies and their concern for the world around them very seriously, but never take themselves too seriously.  

Favorite thing about Cincinnati

It’s a foodie paradise. You could go for months without eating the same thing twice.

Best advice for seniors who are making their college decision

Trust your gut. So many students think that when they find “the perfect school,” the clouds will part and the angels will sing.  When it all comes down to it, there will be a school that you keep coming back to in your thoughts and conversations. That’s the one for you.  And know that, whether you’re coming with a friend or two or by yourself, that other people are choosing that school for the same reasons you are.  You’ll create a new community, and that’s what college is all about!