1,400 prospective Concordians break the record at Admissions Information Day
“As well as that critical ‘Can I get in or not?,’ Admissions Information Day provides a chance for people to see what Concordia has to offer.” | Photo by Marion Elissalde
The Sir George Williams Campus hummed with excitement and activity on Saturday, February 14, as Concordia hosted its annual Admissions Information Day.
A record-breaking 1,400 prospective students and their families came to learn more about Concordia’s 300 undergraduate programs, to find out about campus services — like Health Services and the International Students Office — and get a feel for life at the university.
“As well as that critical ‘Can I get in or not?,’ the day provided a chance for people to see what Concordia has to offer,” said Matthew Stiegemeyer, director of student recruitment in Student and Enrolment Services.
While the attendees enjoyed popcorn, cotton candy, jazz music and selfies with the Stingers mascot Buzz, they also had a chance to tour the campus and speak directly with representatives from all four faculties.
More than 700 prospective students started the application process on Saturday, many actually onsite at one of 41 laptops and desktop computers in the atrium of the Computer Science, Engineering and Visual Arts Integrated Complex (EV Building).
But in the past few years, Admissions Information Day has, as lead organizer Savvy Papayiannis notes, evolved to include much more than application information.
“We started injecting more elements of the student experience — student exhibits and tours of specialized facilities” she said. “And this year, we’ve expanded. There are even more booths and more activities.”
A total of 250 staff, faculty and student volunteers contributed to the 2015 edition of Admissions Information Day.
For Sydney Robertson, a prospective student interested in English and creative writing, “hearing about the students and their experiences” was the highlight of her day.
“It helped comfort me about what to expect when I arrive,” she said.
Robertson also found it useful that there was staff on hand to guide her through the applications process. “It was a huge help.”
‘Porfolio Day was incredibly useful’
Admissions Information Day also includes the ever-popular Portfolio Day, at which Fine Arts hopefuls students receive one-on-one feedback of their application portfolio from faculty in their department of interest.
“Portfolio Day was incredibly useful,” said prospective student Tala Haidr. “The feedback I got was great and I wouldn’t have gotten it if I not had a chance to speak to the actual people in charge. They were very helpful and well informed.”
Keen on being a Concordia undergrad? Apply now: the deadline is March 1.