Choosing a college can be a life changing decision that consumes the mind of many a high school senior as spring draws near. As prospective students begin to seriously consider which school they will attend, Gustavus students begin seeing more and more visitors in their classrooms and tour groups exploring campus. The Gustavus Admission Office seeks to help these admitted students make their final decision by holding comprehensive, personalized events, like Gustie for a Day.
This Presidents’ Day on Feb. 17, an estimated 150 prospective students will visit campus to delve deeper into the heart of what it means to be a Gustie, the nitty gritty of student life, and the nuts and bolts of navigating college. Gustie for a Day differs from an individual visit, where a prospective student meets with an admission counselor and takes a campus tour because the day is specifically geared towards seniors who are on the crux of making their final decision.
Associate Dean of Admission Lindsey Weis Owens ‘04 coordinates Gustie for a Day and believes the event is attractive to prospective students who want an in-depth, individualized experience of what it is like to be a Gustie.
“We’ll work with coaches, conductors, and faculty to personalize the visit for the student,” Owens said.
The event is aimed at providing the information that both students and parents are looking for to decide where the best fit for their future lies. Panels are offered on academics, student life, music, and athletics to give potential students a comfortable environment where they are encouraged to get involved and ask questions.
Golf Head Coach Scott Moe is frequently involved in recruiting students, and believes the student-athlete panel and opportunity to interact with coaches is important for many incoming students to give them the opportunity to learn about college athletics and the different programs at Gustavus.
“An important thing from a coach’s perspective is getting them to ask questions,” Moe said.
With Gusties who are enthusiastic about their decision to pursue athletics and knowledgeable about the time and commitment, potential students get a perspective on college athletics, and by visiting with coaches and seeing team practices they can learn how different coaches and teams operate.
In addition to the panels, prospective students will also have the opportunity to pick and choose between attending various classes throughout the day and going to workshops, where students and their parents can learn more about financial aid, study abroad opportunities, Center for Servant Leadership Career Services, and specific degree programs, such as the Three Crowns Curriculum.
Senior Michael Morimoto has worked as an admission tour guide and intern in the admission office, and he remembers his experience at Gustie for a Day reinforcing his decision to go to Gustavus. Four years ago, he attended an economics class with the professor he would have his freshman year, met with Japanese Professor Lianying Shan, and went to a music breakout session.
Although he had already made his deposit, he believed that the event was important for him to learn more about the decision he had made and begin building relationships.
“I was already committed to Gustavus at that point, but it was great to meet up with friends and see what it was like and understand what I was embarking upon,” Morimoto said.
Morimoto has led breakout sessions in the past and will be on the student life panel next Monday. Senior Riley Lass also works for the admission office and will be helping with Gustie for a day. Working as a tour guide, Lass enjoys participating in a crucial part of the decision making process: visiting campus.
“Seeing campus for the first time changes your perspective, and I really enjoy seeing people’s perspectives change on tour,” Lass said.
As registration deposits begin to roll in, Senior Associate Dean of Admission Bob Neuman ‘80 believes that students who have come full circle at Gustavus from following guided tours as incoming students to leading the tours themselves as senior tour guides like Morimoto and Lass are fundamental in aiding prospective students as they make their own decisions this spring.
“Students are our best recruiters,” Neuman said.
In regards to admission goals for the upcoming academic year, Neuman said that the office is “guardedly optimistic” about anticipated enrollment. Admission is a long, involved process, so it is difficult to predict how it will turn out year to year, but the time and interest invested in prospective students often has positive results.
“Admission is a two-year to 18 month process, so a lot of the work for this incoming class started a year and a half ago, and it looks to be shaping up well,” Neuman said.
However, Owens believes that events like Gustie for a Day are invaluable, because they connect prospective students with current students and give them a feel for the campus life and community.
“As they say, it’s the people that make the place,” Owens said.