Ohio Up Close, a campus-visit program for admitted students, began two years ago and is now attracting at least 200 potential students each week.
The program is meant to familiarize potential students with the campus and is on six Fridays in February and March.
Campus visits are a major determining factor in enrollment
said Candace Boeninger, assistant director for communications in the Office of Admissions. This is a critical time because potential students are considering admissions offers from other universities. If we can get a potential student to visit the likelihood of enrollment increases.
This Friday, 411 students will take a look at OU through the session, which is a record high, said Paige Alost, associate director of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Ohio Up Close was very small when we began it two years ago - it was only offered on two Saturdays Alost said. But last year
800 students attended
and the numbers have increased this year.
Half of admitted students who attend Ohio Up Close are visiting OU for the first time, Boeninger said.
The program begins with a welcome session in Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium followed by a campus tour. Potential students can then meet with faculty members from their areas of interest.
Each college hosts their own academic session
Alost said. The colleges are able to show off their facilities and answer potential students' questions. This helps admitted students commit to OU.
Ohio Up Close also offers separate question-and-answer sessions for parents.
Parents and students have different concerns
Alost said. The parents are usually focused on academics and OU's 'party school' image. Students are more interested in learning about day-to-day college life
such as what it's like to live in a residence hall.
This year, Ohio Up Close also includes activation stations
where admitted students can officially enroll, Boeninger said. The office does not yet have an official count of how many Ohio Up Close attendees have enrolled.
Admitted students can activate their OAK accounts and complete housing contracts at the activation stations
she said. We are pleased with the number of students who choose to enroll while attending Ohio Up Close.
Ohio Up Close is a step beyond an ordinary campus visit, Boeninger said.
We hold the program during the school week so admitted students can see the campus in full swing
she said. They may not get the same impression on a Saturday morning.
Ohio Up Close also is successful in convincing potential students to enroll at OU, Alost said. Eight hundred students attended last year's eight sessions, and 87 percent of them enrolled.
- Ashley Herzog
