Penn State York Admissions
As the first rays of dawn streak across the early morning sky, the Penn State Nittany Lion waits patiently at the top of the hill. A chilly breeze skips across his back, ruffling his fur as he surveys his domain. Suddenly, he lifts his head as rapidly moving twin lights in the distance catch his eye. The lion watches intently as the lights approach, his attention never wavering, his pulse increasing as he waits for the optimum moment for a successful encounter. As the vehicle slows and turns toward him, he rises – ready to spring into action. The headlights clearly illuminate his form…the passengers’ eyes widen as they see…
The Nittany Lion waving an OPEN HOUSE banner as he welcomes the oncoming traffic from Rathton Road onto the Penn State York campus!
The campus hosted its’ annual Penn State Day Fall Open House, an event designed to help prospective students and their families discover the many opportunities and advantages available to students enrolled at Penn State, on Saturday, October 22, 2011. Information sessions were held in the Conference Center of the Main Classroom Building. The morning program began with a formal welcome from Dr. Lisa Plowfield, chancellor of Penn State York, after which, attendees had the opportunity to learn about the admissions process, investigate financial aid options and attend an Academic Resource Fair.
During the forty-five minute fair, faculty members from each of the eight, four-year degree programs offered at Penn State York, as well as representatives from our continuing education program (targeted to nondegree seeking adult learners) were available to answer questions from students and their families. Currently, Penn State York offers the following four year degree programs: bachelor of arts in Communication Arts and Sciences, bachelor of arts in English, bachelor of arts in. in Letters, Arts, and Sciences, bachelor of science in Business, bachelor of science in Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology, bachelor of science in Human Development and Family Studies, bachelor of science in Information Sciences and Technology, and bachelor of science in Science. Many prospective students expressed an interest in our University-wide 2 + 2 program, which affords students the opportunity to begin their college education in York and finish at another Penn State campus.
After exploring the degree programs and talking to faculty, attendees were escorted in small groups on a campus tour, led by one of thirteen student Lion Ambassadors. Highlights of the tour included visiting two recent additions to the Penn State York campus – the recently renovated Edward M. Elias Science Building, which opened in time for summer classes in May 2010, and the newly completed Ralph G. and Madeline B. Swenson Engineering Center, which opened in August. Both facilities feature state-of-the-art technology and provide the rare and exciting opportunity for undergraduates to participate in research with top-level faculty. At the conclusion of the tour, students and their families enjoyed a complimentary lunch in the Penn State York Lion’s Den.
During the lunch hour, in the hallway outside the Lion’s Den, student representatives from campus clubs and organizations were available to answer questions from prospective students during an Activities and Information Fair. Clubs and organizations represented at the fair included the Student Government Association (SGA), Human Development and Family Studies (HD FS) Club , Communications, Arts, and Sciences Club (CAS), Business Club, Students for Computer Recycling to Outfit Underrepresented Nonprofit Groups in Education (SCROUNGE), Penn State Dance Marathon (THON), Lion Ambassadors, Drama Club, and Biology Club.
The information-packed morning concluded with an invitation to taste ice cream from the famous Penn State Berkley Creamery, imported for the open house from Penn State University Park. Penn State York T-shirts were given to attendees, and one lucky student won free football tickets to an upcoming home game at University Park.
It was evident that the York’s Penn State Day Fall Open House was an enjoyable event for attendees as well as a successful community outreach tool for the campus. There was a 56 percent increase in the number of prospective students who attended the event as compared to last year.
The goal of the Penn State Day Fall Open House at the York campus was to educate, inform, inspire and invite: to educate rising seniors in the surrounding community about the exiting opportunities available to them when they decide to be become a Penn State student, to inform them about the admissions process and the financial aid options available to help them fund their Penn State education; to inspire them to consider the eight four-year degree programs at Penn State York or the 2 + 2 program, which opens the door to over 160 major programs university-wide; and finally, to invite them to apply to Penn State. As a result of this year’s fall open house, 41 percent of the students who attended said that they will definitely apply to Penn State York and 31 percent said they will strongly consider applying to Penn State York (17 percent of the students who attended had already applied to the campus!). A full 95 percent of attendees rated the open house experience as either “excellent” or “good”.
There is no question that the 2011 Penn State York Fall Open House was a roaring success!
For more information please contact the Admissions office at 717-771-4040 or set15@psu.edu