October 27, 2008
Despite a windswept autumn rain, more than 600 college-bound
students and their parents came to the Queens campus on Saturday,
Oct. 25, for a firsthand look at the amazing advantages of a St.
John’s University education.
Photo
Gallery
The occasion was the first of three Open House events St. John’s
is holding this fall. The University rolled out the red carpet for
students and their families, providing enthusiastic and informative
presentations, showcasing the many benefits that are part of a St.
John’s education.
Students and their parents toured the campus at a time when St.
John’s welcomed the largest freshman class in its 138-year
history—3,268 new students for Fall 2008. Applications soared by
40%.
Exciting Opportunities To See and
Do
St. John’s also has great news for students who missed our October
25 Open House. Two more Open House events are scheduled for Nov. 16
on the Queens and Staten Island campuses. Register online for
the event of your choice.
“Even the weather couldn’t keep them away,” said Jennifer Pye,
Associate Director of Admissions at St. John’s. Ms. Pye said 612
students attended this year, an increase over last year’s number of
444.
On the 105-acre Queens campus, students toured the University’s
state of the art facilities, walked through its beautiful Residence
Village and witnessed new construction that will greatly enhance
their time at St. John’s, such as the University Center/Academic
Center.
The official kick-off for the day’s events was held in the
newly-renovated Carnesecca Arena, and was the first such event to
be held there since work was completed.
Ms. Pye stressed that a successful Open House is a critical
element of the University’s outreach to new students. “We have only
two opportunities in the fall to expose students to our faculty and
specific programs,” she said. “Our faculty and deans possess a
wealth of knowledge to share (with students) about the fantastic
opportunities St. John’s offers them in their majors.”
The dramatic increase in registrants over last year’s Open House
was matched by the participants’ geographic diversity. St. John’s
welcomed students and their families from as far away as
California, Arizona and Texas. Additionally, there was an increase
in interested students closer to home, from areas such as
Westchester, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
The day was filled with opportunities for prospective students
and their parents to meet with administrators and faculty from
their areas of interest. An Academic Majors Forum, hosted in the
Taffner Field House, featured representatives from the various
areas of study offered by St. John’s.
Programs designed to deepen students’ awareness of the value of
service as well as their place in a global society were highlighted
during the event, such as the Ozanam Scholars Program, Global
Studies and Campus Ministry, to name a few. For the first time, the
Office of Alumni Relations was represented during the Open
House.
Guests also enjoyed an inside look at the University’s ongoing
efforts to make students’ time here as productive and exciting as
possible. They were treated to informative sessions on the
University’s Laptop Program, Residence Life, Honors Program, and
Financial Aid, and had a chance to visit the University
Bookstore.
More Opportunities This Fall
The Open House was a bright spot for visitors and the St. John’s
community, said Ms. Pye. With two additional Open House events
scheduled this fall, she added, more students and parents will be
able to see how St. John’s builds strong futures.
Remember, you still can register for the remaining our Open
Houses at the Queens or Staten Island campus:
Queens Campus
Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008
8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Staten Island Campus
Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008
11:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To secure your place at our Fall Open House, register quickly
and easily online. For more information, contact our Office of
Undergraduate Admission:
Queens Campus
1 (888) 9STJOHNS [toll-free]
1 (718) 990-2000 [local]
admissions@stjohns.edu
Staten Island Campus
(718) 390-4500
siadmhelp@stjohns.edu