Why I Wish I’d Attended an Academic Visit Day
When I arrived at first year Orientation at Chatham (where I now study Creative Writing) and discovered some of my peers had already connected with the school through various Admissions events, I remember feeling curious about what I might have been able to see or learn.
While I did not attend any visit days before I arrived at Chatham, I can see now that coming to visit Chatham in person or online is a great way to get to know the University— especially during an Academic Visit Day on the undergraduate or graduate level. Here are some reasons I wish I had attended an Academic Visit Day myself.
Insider Knowledge of your Program
Knowing if your academic program is a good fit for you is essential to finding the right school. Academic Visit Days allow you to ask questions, meet professors, and see classrooms that can help illustrate a picture of your life as a student. During Academic Visit Day you’ll have the opportunity to sit in on a class that corresponds with your academic interests. You can speak with a student who’s already in the major you are interested in, or you can schedule a one-on-one meeting with a faculty member to understand your course of study better. These are options that can further your understanding of a program you are already confident in, and if undecided, could help you learn more about a program you are curious about.
Seeing the Campus
Viewing campus in person is a great way to feel the energy of any school and institution. Chatham has a special atmosphere when you step on campus. Tours will be offered throughout the visit to see anything you’re curious about. From the Athletic Fitness Center to our Jennie King Mellon Library on our Shadyside Campus, you can get acclimated to your future surroundings. Getting to see buildings that you will be attending your classes in is a great way to feel more comfortable in the space, and it’s something I wish I got to experience myself through a visit day.
It’s also nice to see where you’ll be spending time outside of class. Grabbing a drink from Café Rachel or sitting on the quad to take in the surroundings are both ways that you can see our historical campus. If you’re interested in seeing Chatham’s Eastside or Eden Hall Campus, tours will be offered throughout the day.
Meeting the Community
Meeting new people before you’ve even begun school is more common than you might think! A smaller campus like Chatham’s can allow you to meet community more easily and frequently. This is true not only for meeting other students who might be in your class, but for meeting graduate students, faculty, and staff as well. Getting to know a familiar face or asking questions can really help you feel assured.
There’s also resources available all over campus that you might want to familiarize yourself with. Student clubs, organizations, and events are always happening. It’s easy to find postings in person or via social media that will coordinate with your visit day. Bonus: many visit days offer lunch in our newly renovated Anderson Dining Hall. Introducing yourself to our wonderful dining staff, previewing your lunch options, and eating with the community is a real perk.
It’s Available Online Too!
Even if you can’t make it to the in-person day, Chatham offers virtual academic visit days and many other virtual admissions sessions! This is perfect for anyone who lives far away or cannot otherwise access campus in person, and it’s also an option for those who absorb information better virtually. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and get an up-close conversation with plenty of information. If virtual and in person appeal to you, then attending both is also an option. To get a virtual feel for Chatham, you can also look through virtual tours of all our campuses— including a 360 degree tour of our Shadyside Campus— right here.
Academic Visit Day is one Chatham experience that I missed, but you don’t have to! Registration is simple and available to anyone interested in learning more about Chatham's academic programs— click here to get started!
Lirit Gilmore is a Creative Writing and Food Studies student. Lirit’s academic focus is centered in food writing and how it intersects with social location and identity. She is from Washington, DC and the Midwest, and enjoys baking in her free time. See all her work on Pulse@ChathamU here.