Cabrini College’s second annual Accepted Student Day offered prospective students and their families the opportunity to delve into what can be gained from a Cabrini experience. From 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on April 11, faculty, staff and current students spoke with prospective students and their families about the different majors and opportunities for involvement available on Cabrini’s campus.
Kate Keglovits, an admissions counselor, helped to plan the day’s events. Keglovits describes Accepted Student Day as “a day to make or break a decision for students.”
Many students who attended Accepted Student Day had already made the decision to attend Cabrini College and were anxious to learn more about the activities related to their upcoming major on campus.
“A lot of colleges don’t offer things like this,” Kevin Durso, prospective freshman communication major, said about the events. Durso and his family were impressed by the hands-on experience Cabrini offers new students in the communication department. “I’ve always liked to write and do journalism,” Durso said.
“I’ve toured a couple around, but I like this school the best,” Stephanie Toomey, prospective undecided major, said. “I like how it’s small and the kind of campus it is.”
The day began with mass at Bruckmann Memorial Chapel, followed by a registration period with opening remarks from Cabrini’s president, Dr. Marie Angelella George. Students and families were then invited to take part in a question and answer panel of students, alumni and parents. Finally, prospective students and families visited different departments and clubs on campus to research what would best suit each student.
“Every time we’re up here it feels like a cult,” Sean McLaughlin, father of a prospective exercise science major, said. “I keep saying everybody’s too friendly, it makes you feel really comfortable here and everybody’s been great. From the first time we came here we learned a lot and we already know where things are. Today definitely helped a lot with all of the different clubs offered around.”
“For us it’s close to home, so that was one of the deciding factors,” Kim McLaughlin, mother, said. “It’s small enough that when we come back again we see the same people, so you’re almost getting comfortable with it. The question and answer session was good for the parents.”
The process of planning Accepted Student Day began by choosing the date to hold the event, followed by a meeting in November of last year.
“A lot of [planning] doesn’t happen until a month beforehand,” Keglovits said. “The day is about being here for families and pointing them in the right directions. You have to coordinate everything with facilities, dining services, etc. A big piece is the commitment from the campus community, all of the clubs and departments. The fact that everyone is on board makes a big difference.”
For next year’s Accepted Student Day, Keglovits hopes there will be a little more leeway in the day’s schedule for students and families to get from event to event. “[Students] can design the day for themselves.”
