Concordia Open House 2019: ‘Imagining your academic future is pretty exciting’
Concordians are getting ready to welcome 5,000+ guests on campus on October 19. | Photos by Justin Desforges
Fall Open House is a high point in the recruitment cycle, a day when the university welcomes more than 5,000 future students and their guests.
It’s no wonder, then, that plans for the event on Saturday, October 19 are in high gear.
“Open House is a key day for us because there’s so much a prospective student can gain from the experience, even beyond what they would during a campus tour,” says Cindy Tam, recruitment manager.
Given the whole Concordia community turns out for Open House, visitors get a real sense of the diversity of people and work happening here, she explains.
“When you’re on an upper floor of the EV Building and you look down on the swarm of Concordians ready to talk to future students, you see a hive of mini communities buzzing with energy — from the Student Success Centre to Faculty of Fine Arts representatives there for Portfolio Day.”
Guests can always visit the university year-round through the Welcome Centre, and a tour is a great way to get a feel for life at the university, says Tam. But Open House takes it to the next level.
“All our doors are literally open on October 19 and that’s a unique opportunity to see inside facilities specific to your program. Let’s say you’re interested in exercise science. We’ll show you the learning lab, the teaching lab and the training centre.”
One-on-one consultations
The chance to chat with professors, staff and current students to get instant answers to all your questions is another important dimension of Open House.
This year, academic advisors from the Faculty of Arts and Science will be stationed at cocktail tables in the John Molson (MB) Building as part of a feature called “Building your BA or BSc.” Available on a drop-in or by-appointment basis, advisors can talk over a student’s options during their degree, like adding a minor or another major.
“Discovering all the pathways open to you and imagining your academic future is pretty exciting,” Tam notes.
Career counsellors and financial aid advisors are also going to be available for one-on-one consultations. Prospective students can find personalized assistance at the Application Centre, where they can apply on the spot for winter and fall 2020 admission.
The Grad Corner is making its fall Open House debut after a very successful inauguration at winter Open House in February. It’s a one-stop shop for prospective graduate students to learn about academic programs, funding opportunities, professional development and more.
Open House is a unique opportunity to get an inside look at specialized facilities.
No more fear of missing out
With so many academic departments and units offering tours, presentations and lectures, navigating Open House could be overwhelming — if not for personalized itineraries, says Tam.
“We email everyone who registers for Open House a suggested agenda, based on their academic interests,” she says. “There’s enough happening to keep you busy all day, but we’ve got it all planned out for you. And we have free snacks to keep you going!”
Coffee, popcorn and cotton candy will be available at both Concordia campuses.
Interacting live on social media
Future Concordians who can’t make it to Montreal on October 19 will still have the chance to participate in Open House in real time on social media. Recruiters are hosting live question-and-answer sessions on Facebook and Instagram, as well as responding to direct messages throughout the day.
Concordia’s Fall 2019 Open House takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 19. Register now!
Events on the Sir George Williams Campus take place in the Engineering, Computer Science and Visual Arts Integrated Complex (EV Building) and the John Molson (MB) Building.
On Loyola Campus, they happen in the Richard J. Renaud Science Complex (SP Building).
