The first of two scheduled Newman University Accepted Student Days brought a record number of potential students and their family members to campus Saturday, Feb. 20. Attendance was up 40 percent from the same gathering last year.
The event drew current students from 35 high schools and six states.
The Admissions Department staff coordinates and hosts the event, which is designed for high school seniors who have already applied and been accepted to the university.
“We had a full day of events for accepted students who were visiting campus to see if Newman is going to be the right college fit for them,” Assistant Director of Admissions Events Amanda Booth said.
The event included an official welcome by President Noreen M. Carrocci, Ph.D. and Vice President for Enrollment Management Norm Jones. Each accepted student had an opportunity to go on a campus and resident hall tour, attend mock classes taught by faculty, learn more about specific majors and meet faculty at an academic programs fair and connect with organizations and student clubs.
“The faculty were excited about the classes they hosted this morning. Students came back talking about organic chemistry, which boggles my mind. I think that’s a great sign that they’re engaged and Newman may be a good option for them,” Booth said.
Accepted Student Day involves the entire enrollment team along with many members of the university community. It is an important effort in the recruiting process of future Newman University students, according to Director of Undergraduate Admissions Kristen English.
“Accepted Student Day is one of my favorite events all year! The event is designed primarily for accepted seniors who are in the process of making a final decision about where to attend college,” English said. “We hope based on their experience on campus the students will ultimately decide Newman is a perfect fit for them and commit to joining us in the fall.
“It is special because it is truly a campus-wide effort and students get to experience one-on-one interaction with faculty, current students, advisors, student life professionals and all of the other people who will be a part of their Newman experience.”
Based on the feedback during the function and surveys returned, the first Accepted Student Day was successful.
“Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive with 100 percent of survey respondents reporting that their visit was either ‘excellent’ (80 percent) or ‘above average’ (20 percent). We are so grateful to all those faculty and staff members who volunteered their time to be there,” English said.
“I just love connecting with everyone visiting today. I learn about the students who are visiting — their stories, why they’re here, why they’re looking at us, why Newman,” Booth said. “We’re excited that … everyone looked like they’re having a good time, and we’re excited to be hosting another in April for those who couldn’t join us today.”
The next Accepted Student Day will be held April 9.
