GCSU opens its doors for Junior Day
GCSU opened its campus to prospective students April 10 for Junior Day. The Office of Admissions and New Student Programs plans Junior Day, an event which allows current high school juniors to attend information sessions and tour the campus each year.
Parents and students could attend classes on numerous subjects including financial aid, college essays, finding the perfect college match, understanding the SAT, PSAT and advanced placement credits. Visitors could also attend a question-and-answer session with Dean of Students Bruce Harshbarger. The Coordinator of Orientation and New Student Programs Kathy Edmonson planned the event.
“(Junior Day) eliminates the mystery of the college search. It was a great day and the students were excited to see the campus. The information sessions were overflowing,” Edmonson said.
Parents and students were free to attend any two of the six information sessions held in classrooms in Arts & Science. Questions asked by students and parents in the ‘I wish I had known’ student panel covered numerous topics including adjustment to a small town, Greek life, student activities, residence hall life, advising, professors and studying abroad.
Student ambassadors fielded the questions and gave a personal perspective on college life. Junior student ambassador Melanie Wooten said she was happy to interact with students interested in the school.
“This event was more laid back. I was able to engage in long discussions with the students. Compared to Springfest, no one is worried about whether they got into the school or not,” Wooten said.
After the information session, visitors were able to eat lunch in the MSU Dining Hall and visit other buildings on campus. Adams Hall and The Village at West Campus both had showrooms available for students to see on-campus living. The library, PawPrints bookstore, Old Governor’s mansion, Wellness Depot and study abroad information were also available for students and their parents to tour.
Wayne and Marion Billingsley came down the night before the event with their daughter Emily. The family was free to spend more time in the area to get a better sense of the community.
“We want to make sure that we see the dorms and walk downtown. It’s a hometown feeling where you feel safe,” Marion Billingsley said.
Prospective student Ashley Hamby and her father Paul Hamby enjoyed the session on how to improve a college admission essay. The class, “The College Essay: Your life in 500 words,” was taught by Sarah-Katherine McNeil of the Watson-Brown Foundation Inc. Emily Billingsley agreed that the class was useful as she had no previous experience with it.
“It was the first time that I’ve learned about the essay,” Emily Billingsley said.
Parents and students were asked to complete surveys at the event to give feedback and improve the program. Completed surveys could be exchanged for a complementary T-shirt.
“The program was more general. Others have been sales pitchy,” Paul Hamby said.
Junior Day isn’t mainly focused on getting students to attend GCSU. The classes and programs are meant to aid upcoming college students.
“The event helps students to take advantage of professional advice offered at the program to enhance their college application process,” Edmonson said.
Posted by Drake Simons
on Apr 16 2010. Filed under News.
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