University opens its doors to prospective students

By Lethbridge Herald on October 24, 2023.

Photo courtesy of Cody Robinson Prospective students take a selfie as the University of Lethbridge holds its annual open house to showcase all the programs offered on campus over the weekend.

Steffanie Costigan
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

The University of Lethbridge annual open house on Saturday gave an opportunity for prospective students to discover all the programs it has to offer on campus.  

Manager of national recruitment at University of Lethbridge Ashley Cowie, said the open house gives interested individuals a view of what  courses are offered at the university. 

“Each of our faculty areas had booth fairs, as well as sessions happening. It’s an opportunity to not only gain understanding to the programs that are within those faculties, but other opportunities, like work-integrated learning, learning cohorts, opportunities to get involved with community on campus. It’s a really great opportunity for students to take what they find interesting, or what they think they might find interesting and explore it,” said Cowie.

Cowie said the turnout was strong with just under 1,000 individuals registering for the open house. There were 75 sessions and events showcasing programs on campus. She said prospective students also had the opportunity to meet faculty. 

 “It’s a really great opportunity to get a feel for the institution to really start to see themselves here. I think sometimes post-secondary can feel really foreign and really uncertain. And so being able to come to campus to meet people. Meet the people who will be teaching you in your classes, meet the people who will be supporting you as you learn,” said Cowie. 

Cowie added by saying the event offers future students a chance to feel comfortable at the university. 

“And as you go through the process of earning your degree, I think it brings a comfort. And it also just really helps students start to see themselves here as a part of the University of Lethbridge.”

The U of L  held three open house sessions – one in the morning in person starting at 9 a.m.  and a virtual session from 9 a.m. to noon. The second virtual session was held in the afternoon from 3 to 6 p.m. 

“In a really hands-on way, we have information sessions as well as experiential opportunities. So being in a lab, going into a simulation centre, going into a trading centre, those opportunities are really awesome when you’re trying to explore what it is you might want to do with your post-secondary career.”

During the open house, individuals had the opportunity to enter in a draw for a chance to win $1,000 worth of tuition credit. 

“That was part of registering and coming in and applying today. We had really great outcomes. We had a cross-campus scavenger hunt where students as they participate, they’ll be entered in to win different swag opportunities. And so that’s a lot of fun,” said Cowie. 

Cowie said the open house provides opportunities for students to apply early and gain the benefits that follow.

“Students who get the opportunity to apply early, get assessed for awards and get that early admission, which is a really big relief for a lot of students when they’re trying to decide what to do with their post-secondary career.”

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