Share Tweet Share Email

Admitted Student Days planned in February

January 17, 2014
Victor E. Huskie greets an admitted student and his mother.

Victor E. Huskie greets an admitted student and his mother.

NIU’s Office of Admissions will host two Admitted Student Days in February.

The purpose of these events – Saturday, Feb. 1, and Monday, Feb. 17 – is to allow prospective students admitted to NIU for Fall 2014 the opportunity:

  • to meet NIU faculty, staff, students and alumni;
  • to tour the campus; and
  • to visit the residence halls.

Admitted Student Days are part of a busy admissions calendar of events that includes four open houses, a variety of on-the-spot decision days, a “Discover NIU” day for DeKalb County high school students, a Diversity Day and numerous web-based events including chat sessions, webinars and virtual decision days.

Activities programmed for the February Admitted Student Day events include an academic and student life activities fair, a “next steps for admitted students” presentation, academic information sessions hosted by representatives of each of the six undergraduate colleges, residence hall tours, and a wide range of information sessions on such topics as financial aid, housing, the University Honors program, Research Rookies and tips for first-generation students.

How is Admitted Student Day different than an open house?

For many, an open house event is the first formal visit to campus that typically happens while the student is still deciding which university to attend.

Academic representatives meet with prospective students at NIU Interest Fair.

Academic representatives meet with prospective students at NIU Interest Fair.

“As a student is making that final choice of preparing to enroll at a university, the student has many questions that are more specific than those earlier in the enrollment process,” said Ted Campbell, assistant director of admissions.

“Admitted Student Days allow students to make a much closer connection with faculty, staff, and their classmates while being able to experience some aspects of NIU they may not have seen on their first trip.”

It’s hard to argue with results. Admissions data show that no less than 80 percent of the students who attend an NIU Admitted Student Day will end up enrolling at NIU.

The Office of Admissions welcomes the participation of the university community in its recruitment efforts. The Enrollment Management Collaborative Community, of which the Office of Undergraduate Admission is a key part, holds the philosophy that the inclusion of NIU students, faculty, staff, alumni and administration is essential to the process of enrolling prospective students.

“We have had amazing participation from the university community in our enrollment efforts in the past,” said Chuck Walz, associate director of admissions.

“Some examples of this participation include telecounseling outreach efforts, participation in on-campus and electronic events, submission of posts for the admissions blog, letters written for prospective students, academic interest information sessions, and a whole lot more,” Walz added. “Thinking outside the box with new ideas on recruitment strategies is a major part of our admissions strategy. We’re happy to listen to any new recruitment ideas the NIU community can offer.”

If you have any ideas or suggestions for how you might participate in the recruitment of new undergraduates, contact Walz at cwalz@niu.edu.