For several years now, representatives from over 200 colleges nationwide have hurried to line the hallways of Jesuit, eagerly searching for potential students on their tours around the country. Yes, that’s right, the annual college night will begin once again on Tuesday at Jesuit when students from several schools can gather, learn about different colleges, and hopefully narrow their seemingly endless searches. Kids from Catholic high schools in the area, including Bishop Lynch, Ursuline and John Paul II can attend Jesuit’s college night in search of the same advantages for which Jesuit students search.
After closing school at 12:25, the doors will officially re-open at 7:00 pm and the event will last until 9:00. During this two-hour period, colleges will be in booths with representatives ready to give information about their schools to the anxious students. Although the event is open to all grade levels, the majority of the students come from the sophomore and junior class (most freshmen are too young to start their search, and most seniors have already decided where they will apply).
Even for seniors with a clear college path, the experience may have some advantages. “I have a pretty good idea where I want to go, but it’s always nice to hear a firsthand account about what the school is like” remarked Sam Rosenberg ’14, an aspiring college golfer already with several offers.
Over the course of the night, some colleges will present more lavishly than others. University of Texas, Texas A&M, and Notre Dame will be in designated areas of campus to give 25 minute presentations about their schools, while SMU, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest and 7 other colleges will have designated classrooms upstairs in the B hallway to answer questions and give smaller presentations. Between each 25-minute presentation there will then be a 5 minute passing period so that anyone interested may make his or her way over to the other presentations.
This year, however, the basketball gym is unavailable due to major renovations, so colleges will have to use the downstairs B hallway, making the walk around campus somewhat tricky. The school has high hopes for this system, and the coordinator of the event, Chris Blackwell, did not express much doubt about this make-shift arrangement.
So, what are the students expecting to get out of this whole experience? Well, most are looking for an experience, an attestation, or a strong endorsement. Ben Horton ‘15 described his expectations, “At college night I would like to figure out where I would like to go and which colleges will best suit what I want to do.”
Of course, every student searches for something different, but to the student who struggles to generate conversation with college reps, Blackwell gives this advice: “Ask them ‘Where are you located? What does a successful applicant look like at your university? What majors do you have?’” With these questions, one can gain a mental image of a university, while also investigating whether the programs he or she seeks is provided.
As a whole, the event generates excitement, hype, and knowledge, and consistently proves to be an enriching opportunity for anyone who chooses to attend. See you there!
