Top 10: Reasons to Attend a Spring Welcome Open House Program (April 7, 14, or 21)
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Posted by: Admissions_Daniel | 
April 5 2009 | 
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Note from Admissions Daniel: Over the next few week, I will be posting Hopkins Insider blog entries with the common theme of “Why Hopkins!” I know not everyone visiting the blog right now is an admitted student to the Class of 2013, but for me and my colleagues that group of students is the primary focus for the month of April. So as the admitted students make the big decision, I hope the upcoming blogs can play some role in helping you all to make the right decision … which is obviously to come to Hopkins.
To start the “Why Hopkins” run I turn to an amazing colleague, our Special Events Planner Cheryl Janowsky, to pen a guest entry about our Spring Welcome Open House Programs for admitted students. With all sincerity, if you want to figure out whether Hopkins is the right place for you, attend one of these events.
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Admissions Staff Member:Cheryl Janowsky, Special Events Planner
Territory: As event planner for the office, my territory is anywhere and everywhere a Johns Hopkins University Undergraduate Admissions event may be held … on-campus for an Open House, or off-campus in your hometown.
Johns Hopkins Start Date: January 2003
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Congratulations again on your admittance into the Johns Hopkins University class of 2013! I’m sure by now you’ve carefully studied every detail on every piece of paper mailed to you in your admit packet. Chances are you and your families are already planning your trip to Baltimore this spring for one of our three Open House programs—Tuesday, April 7, 14, or 21. We are ready and waiting for your arrival! These full-day Open Houses are designed for you to experience the Johns Hopkins’ community firsthand, and to help you answer the question, “Is Johns Hopkins right for you?” We hope after your visit, that you will say “YES!”
As the special events planner here in Admissions, I have the insider’s scoop on what to expect during the Open Houses. When you get to campus, I encourage you and your family to carefully examine your program and attend as many events as possible throughout the day. There are plenty of options to choose—from student forums, to residence hall tours, to academic presentations with faculty. It’s up to you to pick and choose how you want to spend your day. I’ve pulled together a highlights list to give you a sample of what’s in store for you when you arrive on campus.
10. Meet the staff.
Chances are the person who will hand you your Welcome packet at the Open House registration already knows you—or at least recognizes your name and your hometown. We’ve followed your progress from an applicant to an admitted student. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions staff has answered your phone calls, read your application file, written the text for your invitation, and planned your visit to campus. We love seeing your faces on campus and we can’t wait to meet you this April.
9. Welcome presentation in Shriver Hall.
Arrive early. Registration officially starts at 9:00 a.m. After grabbing your muffin and coffee, make your way into the Auditorium because you don’t want to miss the opening program. This half hour prepares you for the rest of your day on campus. It’s the only time all visitors will be together in one location. After the Welcome, the rest of your jam-packed day is of your choosing. In addition to important announcements and a few words from Dean of Admissions John Latting, you might be lucky enough to get a glimpse our new president, Ronald J. Daniels.
8. Department visits by major.
Offered twice during the day, at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., these academic presentations will give you an overview of most majors and minors offered at Johns Hopkins. Whether you are interested in Writing Seminars, Public Health Studies, or Electrical & Computer Engineering, we’ve got you covered. Faculty will share details about each course of study and answer your questions. Here’s your chance to explore academic options you may not have originally considered.
7. Class Visits.
In case you haven’t learned enough about academics at Hopkins yet, you’ll have an opportunity to sit in on a class anytime throughout the day during the Open House. Selected courses will be open for auditing. For a complete schedule, consult the course visitation booklet that will be included in your welcome packet. If you do plan on attending a class, prepare to arrive at least five minutes before the posted start time of the class and introduce yourself to the professor. Then sit back, take notes, and learn with your future peers.
6. Lunch.
Yes, lunch is a highlight. Not just because you will be hungry from traipsing all across campus, but also because during lunch you have the opportunity to eat with current Johns Hopkins students. You and your family can sit down and have an informal chat. Ask candid questions and find out what you really want to know about life as a Johns Hopkins student. Lunch is offered from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., so you’ll have plenty of time to fit it into your schedule. You’ll get a meal pass when you register that will tell you what times are available.
5. Explore the Homewood campus and surrounding neighborhood.
Campus is alive and in full bloom. Spring is beautiful in Baltimore. Classes are in session. Students are “studying” out on the quads. There is flexibility with the Open House schedule that allows you the freedom to plan your own day. Check out the Recreation Center. Stop by the bookstore located in the Charles Commons. Grab a coffee from a local café. You will be able to spend the entire day on campus and start to picture yourself here come next fall. Feel free to ask staff their favorite places to visit on campus or in the neighborhood.
4. Student Life and Academic and Career Advising Forums.
There are two forums offered during the day, Student Life at 11:15 a.m. and Academic and Career Advising at 2:00 p.m. We’ve hand selected experts to sit on a panel to discuss what they know best. Current students will discuss housing, activities, freshman year…basically, any topic you want them to cover. You are the ones asking the questions. In the afternoon, directors from the Career Center, Academic Advising, and Pre-Professional Advising will help you understand how their offices guide you through the advising process at Johns Hopkins. They are the experts in their field—ask them about internship opportunities, jobs after graduation, getting into law school, double majoring, etc.
3. Housing Tours.
It’s possible that you are a regular follower of Hopkins Interactive. Which means that you seen plenty of the Hopkins’ students “cribs” online. However, nothing beats the real thing. One of the top highlights of the admitted student Open Houses are the Housing Tours. Even if you have already visited campus before, chances are, you haven’t seen a dorm room. You want to see for yourself where you might be sleeping and studying next year. We know. That’s why selected residence halls will be open for viewing throughout the day. Tour one, or tour all three! You’ll collect a special “JHU” sticker after each tour to keep track of your adventures.
2. Student Activities and Services Exposition.
The Expo is one of the last events scheduled for the Open House, but you don’t want to miss it. Trust me. Campus dining, study abroad, athletics and recreation…Animation club, Ultimate Frisbee club, Student Government, the Hopkins Symphony Orchestra. Representatives from over forty student groups and student services are gathered in one space to meet you, recruit you, and to answer all of your questions. This event is held at 3:15 p.m. in the Fresh Foods Café, the freshman dining hall. Even though you won’t get a chance to eat at Fresh Foods, we want you to see this amazing space. So you’ll definitely want to stick around until the end of the day and check out where you’ll be eating your meals when you come to campus next fall.
1. Meet the Bloggers.
You’ve seen their photos online. You’ve read their blogs. Now is your chance to meet the bloggers in person! Hopkins Interactive students will be available all day to discuss their personal experiences. In the morning, they’ll be handing out “A Blue Jay’s View: An Insider’s Guide to Johns Hopkins”. This is an awesome publication they’ve put together to help you prepare for your transition to becoming a Blue Jay. H.I. students will be available during the lunch hour at Levering Plaza to answer questions, help you if you are lost, give you some candy. At the end of the Open House, you’ll get your last chance to meet the bloggers. After the Expo, Hopkins Interactive students will be stationed on your path back to the parking garage at Mason Hall to bid you a final farewell. Not to worry, they’ll be back online as if you think of more questions once you get back home.
This is not a complete list; there are many aspects to the Open House program not highlighted here. We need to keep some surprise element for when you arrive! No matter which day you visit, April 7, 14, or 21, the Admissions staff is very excited to meet you and your families and help you to have the best visit possible!
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By jhu_michellet, April 6, 2009 @ 10:41 PM
Yay, Cheryl! I really wish I could be there!