When you've got something good, you keep it up. Ottawa University-Indiana is doing just that with its Adult Student Information Events, which began in December of 2007. On a selected Saturday, prospective students visit campus to learn about all of the academic programs and meet OU faculty, students and alumni. Plus, they learn about credit transfer, financial aid, benefits of the eight-week term, and discuss the face-to-face and online options of instruction. And talk about a successful venture. At the first event, all of the prospective students that took part went on to enroll.
"Our 100 percent enrollment rate for our December event is not something I expected," said OU-Indiana Admissions Counselor Peg Gernand. "Generally speaking, if people take the time to spend their Saturday morning with us, they are serious about enrolling."
Of course, it always helps that the participants have their $55 application fee waived. In fact, Gernand says that's one of the main reasons prospective students take part. At the event, OU-Indiana's diverse faculty members take part in a panel discussion where they talk about the different aspects of being an adult student.
"The instructors can give prospective students all the reasons why they need to go back to school and what the benefits might be when they earn that degree," said Gernand. "They can also give prospective students an idea of what kinds of assignments are given, how grading is done, what kinds of projects might be assigned and in general, how the courses are conducted."
A special Adult Student Information Event was held Saturday, February 16, specifically for those interested in Ottawa University's newest major, health care management. "This major encourages people who have registries or certificates in the health care field (rad tech, mammography, etc.) to transfer in a pre-determined number of credits towards the 128 they need to earn their bachelor's degree," said Gernand.
Future Adult Student Information Events at OU-Indiana are scheduled for July and December. For further details on the events or if you would like to learn more about Ottawa University, please call 812-280-7271.