TWU puts on party for potential undergrads
Big-bang preview weekends draw in new students
April 7, 2007
Lauren Thompson
In an effort to boost the number of incoming students, Trinity Western University’s Admissions office hosted over 200 prospective students and parents for the school’s largest preview event to date.
The event, which took place March 23-24, is the second of a new “preview weekend” approach, implemented by the Admissions office at the beginning of the semester. The first took place in February.
“It’s a fact that students who visit [a campus] have a higher likelihood of enrolment than those who don’t,” said Melissa Reed, associate director of undergraduate admissions.
The new system, which consists of two large preview weekends per semester, supplemented with smaller view days, intends to draw more students to campus.
“In fall, and past years, visits were declining,” said Reed. She added that prospective students are more likely to be excited to attend something that’s a “big thing,” instead of just a small view day with only a few other attendees.
The weekend also had a more “self-serve” atmosphere, said Reed. Admissions provided attendees with a conference-style guide detailing various events and sessions they could attend. Workshops and info sessions on everything from academics, to Rec Services, to the Laurentian Leadership Centre were available throughout the day. Prospective students stayed overnight with resident hosts.
Although it was a large event, it was not a high-cost event, according to Reed. Much of the entertainment provided to the guests was already going on, such as the Theatre Department’s The Taming of the Shrew. “The benefits outweigh the cost,” said Reed, adding that the weekend’s only large expense was food.
So far, the response has been good. Reed said she talked to many impressed students and parents throughout the weekend and has even received some encouraging emails.
“I received an email from one mom who said, ‘You know you did a good job when my son wanted to wear his [TWU] t-shirt on the way home,’” she said.
TWU students have been mostly receptive to the events, but some have expressed concern over the infringements on resident life during the weekend.
“I feel the way they do it isn’t productive for the student body already here,” said resident second-year Sarah Weiland, adding that the closed off cafeteria and Fraser lounge lessens the already limited co-ed study space on campus. She also mentioned the large numbers of volunteers needed to host the guests could be a lot to ask.
Reed, however, feels the benefit to the university outweighs “the inconvenience of a few days,” adding that many steps were taken to alleviate as much nuisance as possible, such as setting up cafeteria tables in the atrium.
“It’s important to see the broader picture,” she said, adding that the Admissions office is very grateful for the support of the student body.
She also said Admissions is planning now for more Preview weekends next semester, so students will know the date beforehand and be able to plan accordingly.
Now you go...
Got something to say?