With the impact of COVID-19, there have been numerous steps taken across Stevens to reduce the impacts of the virus, most notably the switch to moving services online. However, the switch can be trickier for some departments, such as the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, where in-person interactions are very important.
While most students prefer to visit the school where they will be spending the next four years before officially accepting their offer, with social distancing guidelines being enforced nationwide, this is no longer an option for students entering in the Fall 2020 semester. In-person information sessions, tours, and open houses have all been cancelled for the remainder of the school year.
Now admissions departments across the country have to get creative to attract students who can no longer visit in person. So what has the Office of Undergraduate Admissions done in the wake of the virus?
“The entire admissions staff is working remotely and we have moved our daily information sessions online. Our admitted student events have transitioned to virtual experiences using webinars and zoom,” said Jackie Williams, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions. Just like Stevens students have had to switch to classes online, prospective students must also learn online from the staff in undergraduate admissions.
Additionally, Williams said, “We are in contact with students and families on a daily basis via phone, email, and virtually. We also have an excellent campus tour on our website that we encourage students to view.” The virtual tour online allows students to look into the facilities on campus with videos featuring Stevens students and faculty. This even includes the new Student Center, Gateway Academic Complex, and even a faded version of the future University Center.
Major events like Admitted Student Weekend had to be cancelled this year. However, Stevens was able to offer a Virtual Admitted Student Day this past Saturday, April 18. Prior to the event, Williams said, “We have lots of registrations so far and are confident that it will be a huge success. We are also offering webinars throughout the month of April for admitted students, so they can learn about financial aid, academic programs, residence life, student life and organizations, career services, and more.” The Virtual Admitted Student Day, as well as the webinars, feature staff from across the university as well as current students, thus providing the opportunity for students to virtually meet some of their future peers. If students have additional questions that may not have been answered in one of these webinars, they can always have an individual Skype or Zoom meeting with admissions and financial aid counselors.
A special website was constructed specifically for the Virtual Admitted Student Day which included on-demand videos featuring current tour guides showing off various areas of campus, chat rooms with various offices and academic departments around campus, and live financial aid information sessions. Specifically responding to a question about the online tours, Williams said, “We believe these additional tours will give a more personal view of Stevens from our current tour guides.”
Students across the nation are having their lives impacted by the virus, which could influence their college decisions. When asked if moving to online sessions might affect students’ decisions to attend Stevens, Williams responded, “We are encouraged by the numbers of admitted students attending virtual events and committing to Stevens at this time. The Admissions Office in collaboration with the entire Stevens community is doing everything we can to provide all of the information we can to enable students and families to decide to attend Stevens.”
Finally, Williams had some advice for admitted students: “Take advantage of all of the virtual opportunities that schools are providing. Go on virtual tours, attend webinars, contact admissions/financial aid offices, and be sure to get all of your questions answered. Social media is also a great tool for students to get a sense of what’s happening on college campuses and may help students see if they can picture themselves at an institution. And of course, students should check email frequently as this is the main method of communication that schools use to keep in touch with students regarding opportunities and important updates.”
Deciding on where to attend college can be quite difficult, especially in our current situation, but the undergraduate admissions team has provided numerous resources to help high school students make the decision that is best for them.
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