Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Karissa Peckham said the open house experience is usually the first step for many in their college search process, as well as their first visit to a university of their interest.

“They’re early to the college search process, and we want to give them a good sense of Quinnipiac — academically and socially,” said Peckham. “This is their day to explore.”

This year’s Undergraduate Open House registration numbers exceeded last year’s attendance, said Peckham.

Greeters at the March 3 event supplied prospective students with a Bobcat swag bag and the day’s agenda before sending them off to explore dozens of information tables supported by faculty, staff and current students.

The tables provided answers and information on majors, career development, accelerated dual-degree programs, financial aid, scholarships, student experience, clubs, activities, and more.

Special breakout sessions gathered the student guests by their academic areas of interest. The sessions helped them to hear more about the offerings and expectations from administration, faculty and current students.

Led by current students, tour groups filled the sidewalks of the Mount Carmel Campus. They visited residence halls, academic buildings, and some favorite student life spaces, from Starbucks in the Carl Hansen Student Center to the rock-climbing wall in the Recreation and Wellness Center.

The student tour guides also shared news of the soon-to-be completed South Quad complex on the Mount Carmel Campus.

The South Quad will include The Grove, a 417-bed residential building opening in August for the 2024-25 academic year; followed in May 2025 by the opening of The SITE, a 137,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art, student-centered academic building designed to promote community and interdisciplinary learning, and the new 79,000-square-foot School of Business.

Additionally, all guests were invited to hop on Quinnipiac transportation to visit the Rocky Top Student Center and M&T Bank Arena on the York Hill Campus and the North Haven Campus.

In her opening introduction to students and their families, Peckham shared insights of what students can expect, and gain, from their participation in the Quinnipiac experience.

The university’s enriching educational experience is designed for personal and professional success, through supportive, industry-leading faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, internships, study abroad and a robust student experience.

With just under 10,000 total students, class sizes are small, averaging about 22 students, and are all faculty-taught. Through its focus on experiential learning including internships and clinical affiliations, Quinnipiac also provides students with valuable opportunities outside of the classroom.

“We want hospitals, clinics, big businesses, and corporations to know when they get a Quinnipiac graduate, that person is well-prepared and ready to work. And that is the reputation we have at Quinnipiac,” said Peckham.

Quinnipiac is recognized by U.S. News & World Report among the best national universities in the nation and as a top university for best value for investment.

For a third consecutive year, Quinnipiac has been rated by Zippa.com as the top university in the nation for successful career placement following graduation. The Princeton Review ranks Quinnipiac among its list of the 389 Best Colleges in the country.

Mariah Santiago, a high school junior, came to check out Quinnipiac with her father, Melvin Santiago.

Her dad said they liked what they were learning about Quinnipiac and the Mount Carmel Campus.

“It’s our first visit, and it’s a good start,” said Santiago.

Genevive Curtis, a high school junior, traveled with her mom, Laura Curtis.

“The reason we’re here is because she’s interested in gaming, and Quinnipiac has it as a specific major,” said Laura Curtis. “A lot of schools have computer science, but she wants to be more specific in animation and game design. She’s also interested in going to a school that’s not a huge school, and not too far away, and she wants to get a good education. So far, we like what we’re seeing here.”

“My dad helped me find this school, because I really want to get into animation,” said Genevive Curtis. “I think it’s really pretty, I like the dorms, and the people are really nice.”

Gabriella Roldan, a senior, says she applied to Quinnipiac because the College of Arts & Sciences’ creative writing program fits her interest.

“Hearing about their creative writing program, I just feel like it’s a more intimate program than a lot of other schools. You get to know a lot more people, and you get to work more closely with them,” said Roldan.

Her mom, Tamara Jones, said their visit is helping to narrow down Roldan’s selection process. She said they were impressed with Quinnipiac’s College of Arts and Sciences, the university’s robust student life, its academic focus, and Mount Carmel Campus dorms and offerings.

“For her, it’s great,” said Jones. “I think it’s important to visit schools to see if you feel comfortable, and to find out whether you feel like you belong.”