Adventures in Admission

The Excitement of Pioneer Days

I am ready to head to Denver!   Being based in the Midwest is great, but I love this time of year when I am about to head out to Colorado and enjoy campus for nine whirlwind days.  I will be busy reviewing those last few applications and participating in our applicant selection process, what we fondly refer to as the “Great Debate”.   As exciting as debate is, one of my absolute favorite days is yet to come.  We offer three Pioneer Visit Day Programs March though April.  Our first on is on Monday, March 3.  http://admission.du.edu/admissions/visit/pdays.asp

The Pioneer Visit Days programs are available for our admitted students and their parents.  What I love about these programs is the energy and excitement it evokes.  When I describe this program to families, I tell them they will have questions answered that they did not even know they had.   Students are trying to determine their college “fit” and it is important to visit their top choices to get those last minute questions answered.    Students find out they are not alone in the process and the other prospective students they meet can provide them with insight into their own decision process.

The Pioneer Days program is full of opportunities to see DU up close and personal.   We start with a presentation on the “Next Steps” to help explain the good old question…”Now that I have been admitted to DU, what do I do next?”  Chancellor Coombe speaks candidly with the parents during a presentation of the Vision of DU and Parent Q & A.  Current DU students entertain questions about DU from prospective students on varying topics.  A campus tour allows the families to become more familiar with the University’s beautiful setting and experience the walk-ability of the campus.  After lunch in one of our dining halls, there is the opportunity to visit with professors from the different majors we offer and a speak to representatives from a range of our student activities and services – this part of the day is set up college fair style and gives everyone a chance to check out all of their interests.  Families can set up individual financial aid appointments throughout the day and have the option to take part in a departmental tour at the end of the day. 

It is amazing to see the excitement and energy the day brings.  Prospective students may run across former high school classmates attending DU, meet a potential roommate for the fall or even decide DU is their college fit and submit their tuition and housing deposit before the end of the day.  

It is good to get the answers to your last minute questions to determine if DU is the right college “fit” for you.  As my dad once told me, “Education is a gift your mother and I can give you that will never be taken away.”  Please feel free to contact your DU counselor if any questions come up.  We are here to help you get the information you need to make an educated decision.  Have a great senior year and keep the senioritis at bay until your last final is complete.   

Best wishes,

Jenn Paar

Midwestern Regional Director - Chicago Area Office

What's going on in Denver?

There is so much happening on campus now as we are getting ready for our Discoveries orientation week - that we have no trouble staying busy! When we have a spare moment, though, we like to check out what’s happening in Denver. If you're coming to visit campus this fall, take a look at these sites to round out your visit:

*The Best of Westword is a great place to start. It will link you to many of the incredible restaurants and shops that make the city so unique, and it will also provide you with an extensive calendar of events.

*Take a tour of or see a concert at Red Rocks, a must-see for anyone coming to town.

* Kooza, a Cirque du Soleil production, is playing downtown throughout the month of September – you could take the light-rail right from DU and not even have to pay to park.

*The Colorado Rockies are offering some fantastic ticket specials, and they have a 10 game home stand the first two weeks of September– they could be leading their division by then!

*Denver.org is a one-stop shop for all things related to the Mile High City. It gives you sample day itineraries, hotel information, and offers great discounts on local businesses.

Stephanie Cuddihy, Admission Counselor

Planning your campus visit experience

Last Friday marked Denver’s first snow of the season.   These days are among my favorites to be a Coloradan; and I have memories registered with each of them.  One in particular that stands out is when I led a campus tour during the first snow of my sophomore year.  Sidewalks remained clear, but people couldn’t help but walk through the grassy areas where snow was accumulating.  Fingers and ears remained bare, but smiles still presided as though each flake falling brought a touch of excitement that people couldn’t resist.  As Friday’s snow fell, I wondered if our current tour guides were having an experience similar to mine several years ago.

Snow or shine, visiting a college campus is one of the most important parts of the college search process.  It helps determine “fit”… the be-all end-all of your college experience.  I have talked to countless students who told me their campus visit is what “sealed the deal” as they narrowed down their options.  My goal as the Campus Visit Coordinator, is for every person who visits to be impressed with the DU experience, regardless of whether DU is a fit or not.  In other words, I hope everyone gets a sense of our vibrant community, our spectacular campus, and our innovative academics.  We have a lot to offer, but how might you make the most of taking it all in?

Here’s what I recommend.  Spend some time online.  Check out the options we offer for visiting campus and then take a look at your personal schedule.  Give us a call or register online to set up your visit, and be flexible in your planning in case the day you want to visit is already booked.  After you have scheduled everything, keep an eye out for a confirmation e-mail, which gives directions to DU and instructions for walking to the Admission Office. (Please note these confirmations sometimes end up in the SPAM folder—please check there!)  Once you are here, be prepared to hear from an Admission Counselor and current student in your information session and campus tour.  The following topics will be covered:

·         Location

·         Where our current students come from

·         Academics

·         Student and Residential Life

·         Athletics

·         Admission Process

·         Tuition and Financial Aid

·         Life after DU 

As with any occasion in which you are a guest, your most attentive and polite behavior is appreciated.  Arrive on time or call if you’re running late; turn off your cell phones; be courteous to everyone you interact with on campus; and allow us the benefit of your full attention.  Ask questions too!  Counselors and students agree that meeting with prospective families is more fun for everyone when the group is engaged and inquisitive.  Sometimes we may not have an answer for you, but I guarantee we can find someone who does.  Depending on your level of interest or timing in the application process, it may be in your best interest to meet with a representative from a specific department.  We can help arrange this too, but again ask for your patience and flexibility as we book these appointments on your behalf. 

If you’re visiting Colorado from out of town to go skiing or to see family, add DU to your itinerary!  In most cases, the visit takes only 2.5-3 hours from beginning to end.  I also recommend you check out some of the other schools in the area: University of Colorado at Boulder, Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, Colorado College in Colorado Springs, and Regis in Denver—all within a 90 minute drive at the most.  The only way to know if DU is a fit for you is to compare your experience here to other schools, and there are several great options nearby!

Finally, don’t forget your camera.  DU not only has a gorgeous campus, but is surrounded by beautiful and scenic locations.  Let us help you arrange your visit so that you can take in this beauty, and much, much more!  On behalf of Janeen Todd, our Visit Receptionist, Jessica Drelles, our Visit Planner, and myself, I wish you the best of luck with your college search and campus visits.

Andy Losier

Assistant Director of Admission & Campus Visit Coordinator