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What to Expect at a Â鶹¹ÙÍø Open House
This article was originally published in August 2021 but has been updated to reflect the most current tour agenda.
Figuring out where you’ll spend the next four years of your life is a huge decision — and visiting campus is the best way to learn more about a program, ask students about their experience, or see what it's like being in a lab or kitchen. Here's what to expect at a Â鶹¹ÙÍø & Wales University Open House.
What happens at a Â鶹¹ÙÍø Open House?
Open houses provide opportunities to speak with current students, staff, deans and faculty and get to know the campus and the resources available to you.
The event agenda is full: a welcome by a senior administrator, a presentation on what to expect at Â鶹¹ÙÍø, getting guidance in applying to college and navigating financial aid, speaking with deans and faculty members, attending a department resource fair to find out all the resources available to you, asking your burning questions to a current student panel, testing the food in Â鶹¹ÙÍø's dining hall and getting a campus tour from a current student.
If that sounds a bit overwhelming, you and your family have the option to attend as much or as little of the Open House as you like.
"Talking with our current students is the best way to really feel like a Â鶹¹ÙÍø Wildcat," explains Director of Admissions Visitor Programs Christine Sullivan, who has assembled a fanastic Collegiate Ambassador Team (CAT) of current Wildcats who can talk about what it's like to attend Â鶹¹ÙÍø.
"An Open House is a chance to talk to multiple people about what it’s like to attend Â鶹¹ÙÍø,
what you’ll learn, how to finance your education and what you can do with your new skills and knowledge — all of which are helpful in figuring out if Â鶹¹ÙÍø is for you."
- Director of Admissions Visitor Programs Christine Sullivan
While non-culinary academic programs are covered at the , students interested in the College of Food Innovation & Technology (CFIT) can attend a . In addition to a similar welcome, resource fair, student-led campus tour (including Â鶹¹ÙÍø's Culinary Arts Museum), testing the dining hall and having opportunities to ask questions, Â鶹¹ÙÍø Harborside Open House attendees experience a live culinary demonstration.
And you're not limited to exploring only one campus; Â鶹¹ÙÍø Providence's Wildcat Wheels shuttle bus can take you between both locations.
When are Open Houses held?
Â鶹¹ÙÍø offers several Open House experiences between the fall and the spring to give students and their families multiple options to plan their visit.
Charlotte Open House options
If you’re interested in studying in Charlotte, North Carolina, you can to learn more about living and learning in the Queen City. You’ll take a student-led campus tour, see Â鶹¹ÙÍø Charlotte's classrooms and labs, and also get to view residence halls and athletic facilities. Admissions staff will provide helpful presentations, and an information fair with students, faculty, staff and admissions officers will round out your experience.
Providence Open House options
At Â鶹¹ÙÍø Providence, in addition to for a campuswide Open House to learn more about studying in Rhode Island's "Creative Capital" and tour the Downcity Campus, individual open houses are offered for Business, Food Innovation & Technology, Health & Wellness, Arts & Sciences, Hospitality and Engineering & Design. The College of Food Innovation & Technology (CFIT) Open House, held on the Harborside Campus, also includes a culinary demonstration and a tour of Â鶹¹ÙÍø's Culinary Arts Museum.
(Note: The Dietetics & Applied Nutrition program combines classes from the Colleges of Food Innovation & Technology and Health & Wellness, and students interested in this major are encouraged to register for the CFIT Open House.)
What students have gotten out of a Â鶹¹ÙÍø Open House
“I can say that Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s Open House experiences are very different from other schools," says Noah Shanshiry, who is graduating with a B.S. in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management in 2022 and an MBA – Hospitality in 2023. "This is a good thing, though! They allow prospective students and their families to talk to current students, not just faculty and staff members. Prospective students want to speak to current students about why they love Â鶹¹ÙÍø and their journey to get here, and our ambassadors paint a picture for them of what being a Â鶹¹ÙÍø student is like."
"I can say from personal experience, sharing some of my favorite moments on campus with prospective students made them smile, laugh, and feel at home," adds Noah. "This is one of the most rewarding parts of an Open House — getting a nervous high school student to feel at home and see how they can shine here at Â鶹¹ÙÍø.”
"Before attending my first Open House, I knew nothing about Â鶹¹ÙÍø & Wales outside of the majors it offered," shares Â鶹¹ÙÍø Charlotte student Kiana Davis '23. "After attending Open House, I discovered what classes would be like, I talked to my actual professors that I have now, I met new friends and most importantly I discovered what it felt like to be a part of a community. Â鶹¹ÙÍø offered me the warmest genuine welcome as soon as I stepped on campus. I was not expecting to meet actual professors my first time on campus, but I did!"
"I also met my best friend, and I now officially know what it means to be a part of a community," Kiana continues. "Now I get to help offer that same sense of community to new students!"
"During our Open House events, Â鶹¹ÙÍø provides a great example of how we incorporate our hands-on learning and experiential education to prospective families," says Â鶹¹ÙÍø Providence student Alyssa Stalaboin '23. "Not only do the students get to chat with professors and staff members, but they also get to see great examples of our students' work in our hallways, in classrooms, and verbally by our professors. Â鶹¹ÙÍø has it all to create success after graduation!"
Get a sneak peek at a Â鶹¹ÙÍø Providence Open House
Before graduating in December 2023, Media & Communications major Hillary Thilavong filmed what it looks like to attend a Â鶹¹ÙÍø Providence Open House:
How do I attend a Â鶹¹ÙÍø Open House?
You can register online for a or for a (and keep checking back for new dates!).
Have questions that can't wait until you attend an Open House? No problem! Â鶹¹ÙÍø's admissions team is here for you. Or check out 5 Questions to Ask Your Admissions Rep.
