By Kristine Hamlyn
More than 300 prospective students, parents and guardians packed the Music building’s Recital Hall on Memorial’s St. John’s campus Feb. 5 to attend an information reception organized by the Office of Student Recruitment.

Addressing the largest crowd a Memorial recruitment information session has ever drawn in one evening, representatives from the St. John’s campus, Grenfell College and Marine Institute delivered their respective messages about why students should attend Memorial.

Director of Memorial’s Office of Student Recruitment, Sheila Devine, started the evening with a brief introductory speech in which she highlighted several of the factors that make Memorial an attractive choice for post-secondary education. Among them are tuition affordability, world-renowned faculty and staff, award-winning students, outstanding facilities and Memorial’s special experiential learning dimension.

The two-hour event consisted of an hour-long presentation in which recruitment officers from each of the three campuses delivered their own campus-specific messages and provide detailed information about program offerings, outstanding facilities, and general life at the university. The guest panel for the evening also included a member from each of the Academic Advising Centre, Centre for Student Life and Housing Food and Conference Services. Upon conclusion of the presentation members of the audience were given the opportunity to participate in a group-setting question and answer period.

Members of the recruitment team, guest panelists and representatives from various university departments, also interacted with a large number of individuals who stayed on after the formal presentation. The more personal setting of the recital hall lobby gave interested parties the opportunity to ask questions one-on-one and take in the array of booths, including one highlighting Memorial’s international campus in Harlow, England. A representative was stationed at each booth to field specific inquires and distribute brochures and other information available for take home.

“By this time of year we have completed at least one personal visit to almost every high school in Newfoundland and Labrador,” explained Michelle Snow, student recruitment officer on the St. John’s campus. “For this reason we took a slightly different approach to the St. John’s information evening which had a more detail-oriented focus. We provided information such as specific admissions requirements, up-coming application deadlines and important dates to remember, such as those relating to registration and orientation.”

Ms. Devine was very pleased with the turn-out for the evening. “It was great to see so many people come out to learn more about our wonderful university. It is a very positive feeling to be that first point of contact between the university and prospective students. You get to see the enthusiasm and interest they have for their future. And, we strive to provide the information and answers they require in helping them to reach their goals.”

Memorial’s recruitment officers are now on the road once again doing what is referred to as second-round visits. This means the recruiters are visiting high schools and holding information sessions, similar to the St. John’s reception, throughout the province (some out-of-province) for the second time. The purpose is to provide the more detailed information students require at this point in time and answer any questions or concerns they may have.