Media Release

For Immediate Release

October 24, 2008

Prospective students explore Saint Mary’s

Recent graduate Dana Duncanson from the Bahamas tells prospective students about his undergraduate experiences at Saint Mary's. High school students and their parents gathered at the student centre after their campus tours. The students had lunch and took the opportunity to learn more about the university at a Resource Fair, including information about Admissions requirements.

Approximately 400 prospective students and their parents attended the Saint Mary’s University Open House Oct. 24 to learn more about what the university has to offer.

Due to the large number of people who registered for the event, organizers were forced to relocate the welcome presentation to the McNally Theatre Auditorium – one of the largest lecture facilities on campus.

The university hosted the open house to help prospective students decide if Saint Mary’s is the right fit for their education and future career. This open house, like the university’s open houses last year, let current students play a lead role, acting as tour guides and sharing their experiences.

For example, tour guide and recent graduate Tia Sawyer told the students about her experience at Saint Mary’s. She noted there are approximately 1,000 international students at Saint Mary’s, representing more than 90 countries. Sawyer, who is from the Bahamas, said it was this diversity and the opportunity to experience the world in one city block that made Saint Mary’s stand out for her.

“You’re not only learning from your professors, you’re learning from the students next to you,” she said.

Likewise, former student Lauren Cullen highlighted how Saint Mary’s University scholarship program helped her. She said the university is focused on recognizing achievement and helping students succeed. In her case, her efforts and grades earned her $17,000 in scholarships and awards, as well as the chance to study in France for a semester.

“Our main focus in on you, the undergraduate student,” said Cullen, who is now a Recruitment Officer for the University.

The open house included extensive tours of the campus, including residence rooms and science labs. It also included opportunities to talk with representatives from the Registrar’s office, Academic Advisors and Student Services.

Tours of the campus took place from 10:30 a.m. until noon, and the students then had the chance to ask questions and get answers at a Resource Fair. The Resource Fair included displays and representatives from the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Science, the Sobey School of Business and Student Services.

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For more information:

Blake Patterson
Public Affairs Officer
Saint Mary's University, Public Affairs
(902) 420.5514
E-mail: blake.patterson@smu.ca
www.smu.ca