Emilie Eustace
Contributing Writer
On Sunday, Oct. 24 and Monday, Oct. 25, twenty-seven high school seniors were given the opportunity to participate in an overnight visit program through the Admissions Office here at the College. Although it was a rainy weekend, these students brightened up the campus with their curiosity, support and growing love for Wooster. Cathy Finks, the Executive Director of Admissions, stated “This past weekend, Admissions was pleased to offer our first overnight visit experience to vaccinated prospective students since February 2020. Our student volunteer hosts were great ambassadors for Wooster and we thank them for sharing their Wooster experience. High school students have spent a lot of time isolated from their schools and community and the college search has been interrupted for many high school seniors. Visit options like an overnight experience, sitting in on class and eating in the dining hall are ways a student can ‘feel’ a community and find the engagement they have been missing, so Admissions is pleased to be able to offer these opportunities for prospective students again.”
Students began piling into Freelander Theater on Sunday evening, with tours, snacks and mingling occurring amongst Admissions staff, tour guides and senior interns. The former Vice President for Enrollment, Scott Friedhoff, even made a special appearance to mingle with prospective students and their parents under his new title of “Special Assistant to the President for Enrollment.” From there, prospective students began their overnight journey by going on tours of campus, exploring the art museum, hearing a Round of Monkeys perform and listening to various staff members discuss experiences at the college. They then parted with their families to have the opportunity to explore campus independently, giving them the first taste of what it feels like to be a college student. Finks said that in an evaluation of the event a prospective student commented, “It’s hard for me to say anything…because everything was simply put, perfect. I already love this school and the program only made me more excited to spend my college experience at Wooster.”
Sunday evening featured many events hosted by organizations including Scot Council and the International Student Association. Students were able to watch Wooster’s improv group, Don’t Throw Shoes, perform; paint pumpkins; and drink hot chocolate while learning about what it is like to be a Fighting Scot. They were hosted by tour guides and other student volunteers who were responsible for showing them around campus and sharing the true college experience. Prospective students were also given the chance to eat in Lowry with their hosts, an opportunity that has not occurred since before the pandemic. While prospective students had the opportunity to explore campus, their parents took on the JAFB Wooster Brewery downtown with senior interns, where they had the chance to ask questions about campus life and academics. Sarah Neuville ’22, a senior intern in the Admissions Office, had the chance to go on this trip with the parents. She said, “We had a really good time talking about what it’s like being a Wooster student and an alum shared how it’s changed since she was a student. I think everyone really enjoyed themselves and some parents even stayed after to talk more!”
Prospective students then had the opportunity to attend one or two classes on Monday morning. They could choose to attend a class that was in their potential major or just one that interested them. Many of the prospective students that attended classes loved their experience as it allowed them to connect to both Wooster students and professors, as well as sit in on a college-level class. There were also various educational sessions held for prospective students and parents Monday afternoon, including one about financial aid, Advising Planning and Experiential Learning and the Academic Resource Center.
Micah Morrow ’24, tour guide in the Admissions Office, played an active role in the overnight admissions event. Morrow said, “Visit programs are always a bit hectic because of the amount of people coming to see Wooster, but this one was more intense because of the added overnight aspect that has not occurred in two years. I was not touring, but I assisted with parking for a few hours on Sunday and helped with cleanup as different parts of the program ended. It was pretty fun because we were riding around on the admissions golf cart. It was raining and very cold, so we all looked disheveled and probably scared the prospective students. I did not end up hosting a student, but I did eat dinner with some and went to the improv event put on for them. It was lovely to interact with high school students looking to come to the College of Wooster. I hope that they evaluate all of their options before choosing a school.”
The Admissions Office is so grateful to everyone that helped to make this event a success. Prospective students left full of excitement; moreover, they now have a better idea of how well they would fit in as a student here. Current students were obviously impacted as well, and whether it was by hosting students, giving tours or socializing with parents, students and staff had the opportunity to share their Wooster pride.