Students and their families can pose with a photograph of other NIU Huskie football fans during Admitted Student Days, like this one in Decmeber of 2012.
While the NIU campus buzzes with the activity of helping students learn today so they can lead tomorrow, many faculty and staff are busy preparing for the fall 2013 incoming class.
On Saturday, Feb. 2, the university’s largest-ever Admitted Student Day welcomed almost 400 admitted students (and more than 1,300 people overall) to campus to take the next steps in their academic careers.
Admitted students had the chance to confirm their enrollment, meet with representatives of specific colleges, sign up for housing and participate in many other activities.
“Providing a special day for admitted students and their families to come and explore the academic and other opportunities available at NIU is the perfect ‘jump start’ for our new students as they prepare to join the Huskie Family,” said Kimberley Buster-Williams, acting associate vice president for enrollment management and director of admissions.
Numerous academic departments had special events planned to help the incoming class explore majors and identify opportunities to get involved.
Some of the activities on the agenda in the colleges included:
- a presentation on what each college has to offer related to majors, internships, clubs and career opportunities;
- a faculty panel consisting of professors representing various disciplines and presenting on their area of specialization followed by a question-and-answer section;
- an alumni panel with emphasis on career opportunities;
- a student panel including outstanding students who have done research, submitted papers or created interesting projects;
- mock lectures where faculty provide portions of existing lectures that would be of interest to prospective students; and
- tours of facilities, hands-on activities and social mixer activities where students interacted.
Brian Long
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences had representatives present from most of its 23 departments and areas to talk with prospective students and their family members. In addition, many of their departments and centers had currently enrolled students there to talk with prospective students.
In the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, admitted students and their families toured some of the college’s 46 state-of-the-art laboratories, interacted with students and faculty about current research and projects and listened to Associate Dean Omar Ghrayeb speak about engineering careers and the work students do in the college.
“The College of Engineering and Engineering Technology is thrilled to host prospective students while they are on campus for the Admitted Student Days,” said Brian Long, outreach specialist and recruiter for the college. “This opportunity will allow current NIU CEET students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to build lasting relationships with students who wish to pursue a degree in engineering at Northern Illinois University.”
In the College of Business, prospective students and their families attended four short “courses” in Barsema Hall which included meeting with current business students, faculty members, recent alumni, and the academic advisers from each department. Information regarding specialized College of Business opportunities (such as the Business Careers House and the Experiential Learning Center) was also provided.
For more information on upcoming admissions events, call (815) 753-0446 or email admissions@niu.edu.
