(REPEAT FROM 3-11-05) Rolling Out the Blue Carpet

More than 600 prospective students and parents from 13 states came to campus March 7-8 to check out Utah State University in person to see if they could picture themselves as Aggies.

Scholars Day, hosted by the office of admissions, is a two-day event at which top prospective students meet with professors, learn about majors, meet advisors and apply for scholarships and financial aid. Nearly 150 prospective students were also chosen to interview for one of 40 prestigious undergraduate research fellowships.

“We’re rolling out the blue carpet for this group of students,” said Katie Jo Nielsen, a university recruitment specialist. “These students are our next generation of potential Rhodes Scholars. Scholars Day is a chance for us to show them what Utah State has to offer them, from academics to student life.”

These prospective students are among the top university candidates in the nation, Nielsen said. Students who attended Scholars Day this year had an average ACT of 28.3 and an average GPA of 3.9 in high school. Two visitors aced their ACT test with a perfect 36 score.

“These are some of the future stars of our university,” said Joyce Kinkead, vice provost for Undergraduate Studies and Research. “Many of these students will help us continue our proud and continuing tradition of elevating the quality of our entering freshman class. We are pleased with where we’ve come, and looking at this exceptional group of young people, we know we will be pleased with where we’re going.”

James Wilson from Tonopah, Nev., came to Scholars Day to investigate Utah State’s Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering program. Wilson said he has always been interested in space research, smiling as he said jokingly that there is no connection to his interest in space and the fact that his hometown in Nevada is neighbor to “Area 51,” the UFO capital of the nation. He said he was intrigued with the opportunity to conduct undergraduate research in one of Utah State’s premier programs. Wilson had an offer from Princeton University, but when a counselor at his high school contacted a friend at NASA to ask about undergraduate programs in space research, the answer was a surprise. “Go to Utah State University,” he was told.

Whitney Call from Idaho Falls, Idaho, came with her parents Bryan and Janna Call. Call is considering Utah State because of the reputation of its engineering program, and she had other friends who also will attend in the fall.

“I want to go into bioengineering and then on to medical school,” she said. “Scholars Day has been very helpful. They’ve covered a lot of subjects from the specifics of education to the fun. I feel very comfortable here.”

Her father, Utah State alum Bryan Call, graduated with his MBA and said he is enthusiastic about Utah State because of his own experience as a student.

Kinkead said she is always optimistic during Scholars Day as she watches faculty interact with the prospective students and volunteer to mentor them through rigorous but rewarding undergraduate research opportunities.

“These students have what it takes to succeed and prosper over the long term at a research university,” Kinkead said.

Nielsen added that recruitment is not just a one-office job. “It’s great to watch our top professors get these students excited about Utah State and show them that they will receive individual attention from faculty mentors here.”

Jennifer Albretsen from Waunakee High School in Wisconsin said it was that caring, friendly atmosphere that highlighted her visit during the opening day festivities. She said that everyone she met — from admissions staff to faculty, students and advisors — was helpful and made her feel at home.

Cassidy Elliott also said she liked the atmosphere of both the campus and the community. She was visiting from Kennewick, Wash., where one of her teachers told her about Utah State. Elliott said she is interested in the university’s music education program, which seemed to be a better fit for her than programs closer to home. And, she laughed as she said she liked the way the campus feels — even the weather!

Kinkead said this idea of “fit” is critical component of the Scholars Day visits.

“We want to help students decide if Utah State is a good fit for them,” she said. “Our goal is to be extremely transparent with students and help them be pro-active as they make one of the biggest decisions of their lives.”

Many faculty and current students participated in Scholars Day. Students answered prospective students questions about what college life is really like and faculty talked about their departments and career options.

Professors also conducted interviews for the fellowships.