October 19, 2009
Braving the threat of an old-fashioned Nor’easter, close to
3,000 high school students, their parents and guests enjoyed their
first taste of college life at St. John’s University’s Fall Open
House at the Queens campus on Saturday, Oct. 17.
Despite
cloudy skies, the rains and winds failed to materialize until after
the full slate of activities, which drew 687 prospective students —
surpassing last year’s attendance. Parents, siblings and guests
joined the college-bound students for a total of roughly 2,800
visitors.
Photo Gallery
Registration for the event — the first of three Open Houses St.
John’s holds this fall — was 50 percent higher than last year, said
Karen Vahey, Director of Admission. Students can register online
for the next two Open
Houses, at the Queens and Staten Island campuses on Sunday,
Nov. 15.
“As always, we owe the success of this premiere recruitment event
to the cooperation of the entire University community,” said Beth
M. Evans, Vice President for Enrollment Management at St. John’s.
“Everyone came together to show prospective students why St. John’s
is the best choice for an outstanding education in the world’s most
exciting city.”
Rolling Out a St. John’s
Welcome
High attendance at Saturday’s event reflects growing nationwide
interest in the advantages of a St. John’s education, said Ms.
Vahey. The University received a record 53,000 applications for
fall 2009. There was also a 50 percent increase in applications
from outside the New York metropolitan area.
“We’re
seeing applications from as close as Queens and as far away as
California and Washington State,” said Ms. Vahey. “Applications and
inquiries are coming from more spots across the country. More
families than ever see St. John’s as an outstanding option for
their child’s college education.”
The college-bound students and their families toured St. John’s
ultramodern residence halls and academic facilities, spoke with
admission counselors and enjoyed refreshments at information
sessions on all the advantages of the St. John’s experience:
residence life, quality academic majors, dynamic study abroad
options, Academic Service-Learning, the University Honors Program,
laptop computers for new students, admission and financial aid and
preprofessional programs.
This year, prospective students also enjoyed greater access to
faculty members and deans, said Ms. Vahey. “We’re constantly
reviewing the options we provide at Open House,” she said. “We’ve
improved access to faculty at our majors fair so students and their
parents can learn more about St. John’s 100-plus academic
programs.”
Visiting students also flocked to the St. John’s University
bookstore, which offered a 10 percent discount on St. John’s
apparel and other items. “It was a remarkably active day, and you
could see the enthusiasm on our visitors’ faces,” said Ms.
Vahey.
More Chances to “See” St. John’s
Rising attendance at St. John’s Open Houses also reflects the
University’s increasing efforts to spread the news about the value
of a St. John’s education, Ms. Vahey noted. “ We’re covering a lot
more ground than ever,” she said, “with more showings at high
schools, college fairs and other recruitment events.”
St. John’s also offers a full schedule of Area Receptions across
the country. The University’s admission representatives this year
will meet with prospective students and their parents in locations
as varied as Miami, Philadelphia, Westchester County (NY),
California and Texas.
In addition, students and their families can visit St. John’s at their
convenience throughout the academic year. The University offers
campus tours and opportunities to speak with admission counselors
at convenient hours during the week.
St. John’s invites college-bound students and their families to
register online for the next exciting Open
House events, on Sunday, Nov. 15, at the Queens or Staten
Island campus. For more information, call the Queens campus at 1
(888) 9STJOHNS, e-mail admhelp@stjohns.edu; or the
Staten Island campus at (718) 390-4500, email siadmhelp@stjohns.edu.