October 07, 2008

University to host open house on Oct. 13

by Andrea Hahn

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Your next adventure starts here, at the next Southern Illinois University Carbondale Open House.

The open house, an Undergraduate Admissions event, is Monday, Oct. 13, at the Student Recreation Center at 300 E. Grand Ave. The adventure theme coincides with the Indiana Jones-inspired post-cards and posters advertising the event, complete with a Saluki in adventure gear. To check one out for yourself, stop in at the Undergraduate Admissions office in Woody Hall.

Or, you could attend the open house.

Check-in begins at 7:45 a.m., with activities beginning for most at 9 a.m. Those who want an earlier start may sign up for early bird campus tours, beginning at 8:15 a.m. The final activities end at about 1 p.m. Visitors may enjoy a free lunch at Lentz or Trueblood dining halls until about 2 p.m.

The open house presents a one-stop shop for prospective students who need answers to questions, from “Will the dining halls offer enough variety to include my special dietary needs?” to “Can I play intramural soccer here?” to the more nuts and bolts of “How do I apply for admission and for financial aid?” and “What are the deadlines?” Information sessions cover academics, financial aid, scholarship opportunities, academic and career counseling, options for transfer students, and more.

Students who attend the open house may apply for admission or check their admission status right there during the open house, or get help filling out financial aid forms, talk to counselors about resources to help them select majors or talk to representatives of the academic departments of their choice. They can even attend a sample lecture from the Core Curriculum to get a taste of what a college classroom will be. Open house organizers urge students to participate in the campus and housing tours while they are here.

Students and their families can pre-register for this or future open houses online at www.admissions.siu.edu/openhouse.htm or by calling 618/536-4405, or they may register on-site.