They walked around. They asked questions. They collected information.

And in the end, nearly 4,300 prospective students and family members got an up-close and personal look at what makes Brock University stand out from the competition.

“Getting potential students and their families onto our campus is a critical step,” said Jamie Mandigo, Vice-Provost, Enrolment Management and International. “They not only get to experience the programs and talk to faculty members, but they also get hands-on experience like going into labs.”

Among the record-matching crowd that attended Fall Preview Day Sunday, Nov. 5 was Burlington’s Joline Attalla and her mother Silvia Kander.

Making their third trip to a university campus in Ontario, Attalla said the size of the Brock campus was appealing to her.

“I like how it’s a smaller university,” said Attalla, who is looking to take biomedical sciences. “I’m looking for something where I can have more student-teacher interaction. I like being in small classes where I don’t have to feel shy to ask questions.”

Her mother, Silvia Kander, liked what she saw, saying Fall Preview Day “was well organized. It seems like a good university.”

That’s a good sign, added Attalla.

“It shows you that if it’s well organized today, it’s going to be well-organized for your future here,” she said.

Pulling off Fall Preview Day is always a herculean effort requiring an army of hundreds of faculty, staff and student volunteers.

“Our students are our best ambassadors. They’ve lived the programs, they represent our best and brightest and we want them to share their experiences,” said Mandigo. “Our staff and faculty are giving up time with their families and they’re out here in record numbers as well. That really shows the type of staff and faculty we have that are committed to sharing and welcoming our community as well.”

Beth Natale, Director, Recruitment and Retention, said the types of questions she was hearing made her realize the University’s “Experience” campaign was reaching far and wide.

“That experience message is making its way out into the marketplace,” she said. “They have a chance to incorporate the experiential education with their degree and coupling that is really important to people.”

Natale said Fall Preview Day, along with Open House earlier this year, was extended by an hour to allow more time for those visiting the University.

“We want to make sure there’s enough time for them to get to everything they want to do in a day,” she said. “They want to see as much as they possibly can, so stretching it out by an hour was important. It gives our guests more time to do what they want to do while they’re here and really taste what Brock has to offer.”

Some of the highlights from Fall Preview Day:

• 20 presentations were given, spanning academic programs/Faculties and special interests such as Residences, Student Finances and Study Abroad opportunities.
• Four international school groups were welcomed by International Market Development.
• On-the-spot admissions assessments were provided for transfer students at Brock Central.
• Experiences in specialized facilities and labs were offered in areas such as Computer Science, the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, Kinesiology, Biological Sciences and Goodman’s Big Data Interactive Lab.
• Guests were introduced to many successful Brock grads through a new Alumni Alley feature.
• Residence tours were offered throughout the day.
• 17 Hot Spots throughout campus were staffed with student ambassadors ready to share their Brock experiences.
• Discounts were offered for Brock gear at the Campus Store and refreshments at Guernsey Market.
• Multiple food tastings were offered by Dining Services.
• Custodial Services, Parking Services and Facilities Management ensured guests were efficiently welcomed to a spotless and beautiful campus.
• Marketing and Communications and Printing Services staff provided a strong media push and high-impact event programs and signage throughout campus.
• Guest Wi-Fi was offered through ITS.
• Athletics demonstrations were given by Brock Sports.
• Many other departments and services such as Career Exploration and the Brock University Students’ Association were on hand to answer questions.