The Ins and Outs of Attending an Open House
Open houses are great events. They provide students and their families with full access to all that the college offers. Academics, athletics, clubs and activities, faculty, and staff will all be front and center, just waiting to answer your questions. This can all be a little overwhelming which is why deciding what your fit factors are and what information is truly important to you can be helpful.
Before attending an open house create a list of questions that you would like to ask. These should be about topics that are important to you. Some things you might want to ask are:
- How safe is your campus and what measures do you have in place to ensure the safety of all students?
- How easy is it to get in contact with professors? With other members of the faculty and staff?
- Do you have classes taught by TA’s?
- What is life like here on the weekends?
- If I have a problem with my roommate mid-semester, is it possible to switch?
- Do you have study abroad and internship opportunities?
At this stage in the game you have most likely identified your fit factors. By fit factors I mean what characteristics does a school have to have in order for you to attend? What things does a school have to offer its students in order for you to enroll? Consider the following:
- Do you want to attend a big school or a smaller one?
- Do you want a campus that is spread out or one that is more compact?
- Does the school have the major and activities you are looking for?
- Do you want to be in a big city, near a city, or in a small town?
- Do you want a party school or not?
- Does the tuition and financial aid fit with what you and your family can handle?
- Is the school within a distance to your home that you are comfortable with?
Again, those are all things that you are probably aware of if you have gone through the application process and been accepted.
One way to really grab a hold of a school is to schedule an overnight visit in conjunction with attending an open house. If you arrive early enough, you could also attend classes with a current student. Doing this will allow you to see what your life would be like at this school. You’ll see how classes are conducted, how students interact with professors and with other students, and you’ll be able to steal a glimpse into what night life is like there.
To really make the most of your time at an open house, go prepared. Do more research on the college before you go to the event. Don’t be shy and ask questions once you get there. You wouldn’t walk into a car dealership, buy a $30,000 car that you had no knowledge of, would you? Attending an open house is no different. Go to special presentations on financial aid, billing, athletics & activities, and learning support options. The faculty and staff members are there for you. Take advantage and you’ll be happy you did!
Norwich holds four open houses each year - two in the fall semester and two in the spring. Go to our visitation page to view upcoming dates or to RSVP for an even online.
