While thousands across the country are being required to stay at home in response to COVID-19, high school seniors are experiencing the additional anxiety of picking a college to attend this fall.
Although the university has currently modified operations and suspended in-person campus visits, admitted students can still get a feel for what it’s like to be a student at the UO through the new Virtual Visits.
“There’s a lot that goes into determining if a school is the right fit for you,” said Roger Thompson, vice president for student services and enrollment management. “In this time of heightened anxiety and uncertainty, our goal for the new Virtual Visit event is to give admitted students and their families the information and answers they need to make decisions about their future.”
Virtual Visit registration is open for April 10 and 17. At a little over an hour, the live event will include a campus tour, student panel, an introduction to classes by an advisor, information about living on campus and a few fun surprises. A segment specifically for parents and families will follow the main program.
“During my college search, I always knew that the University of Oregon was where I was supposed to be,” said Gemma Williams a sophomore from Albany who will be hosting for the student panel. “I visited other campuses, talked to other advisors and professors, but nowhere felt as genuine as UO. The university shows how much they care for students by offering a multitude of resources and support systems for students of all backgrounds. The warm and welcoming nature of UO continuously reminds me that I made the right choice making both Eugene and UO my home.”
In addition to the main program, admitted students can sign up for one-on-one virtual meetings with admissions counselors, housing representatives and student ambassadors. Students will be able to submit questions in advance of the meeting so the sessions can be tailored to their interests.
A selection of digital resources has also been compiled to provide admitted students with a glimpse into the many different parts of being a Duck. From 360-degree videos that put viewers on the field in Autzen Stadium to video blogs from current students about their day-to-day routines, admitted students have a number of ways to picture themselves at the UO without physically coming to campus.
“This is an unprecedented time for our entire world, but it is a critical point in the year for soon-to-be high school graduates,” Thompson said. “Our team is using a number of creative methods to help those students see if UO could be the right place for them to earn their degree.”
For more information or to sign up for a virtual visit, check out the Virtual Visits website.
—By Jesse Summers, University Communications