The UNC System will host its first-ever Virtual Open House, giving North Carolinians in all 100 counties an opportunity to explore the state’s options for public higher education. A series of eight virtual sessions will highlight the unique learning opportunities at the 16 constituent universities.
The sessions, hosted in conjunction with North Carolina Countdown to College, will run from October 26 through October 30, 2020.
Any campus visit plays an important role in shaping an individual’s future. A college open house gives prospective students the opportunity to explore the campus community, discover academic options and evaluate long-term career goals.
And yet, this rite of passage isn’t always an option for those who can’t afford to travel or don’t have easy access to a nearby institution. COVID-19 has added to the complexities of attending — not to mention coordinating — these events.
Even in the best of circumstances, families might typically visit only a few college campuses. Time constraints keep prospective students from fully investigating their options or finding the hidden gems nestled within the UNC System.
Instead of prospective students and their families going to campuses to learn more, the UNC System is bringing information directly to them. For the first time, a Virtual Open House will open the doors to all 16 System universities, allowing every aspiring student to travel the state virtually, exploring options from Wilmington to Cullowhee.
Each UNC System university will offer a thirty-minute presentation that features faculty, staff, and current students. In addition to providing a broad campus overview, each presentation will highlight five unique and often-overlooked institutional features and attributes. Admissions counselors will also be on hand in a separate chat room to answer specific questions students and their families might have.
The sessions are open to students, families, and high school counselors who want to learn more about the 16 UNC System universities.
“This event will likely be a game changer for many aspiring students,” explained UNC System Vice President for Student Affairs Bethany Meighen. “The programming will enhance college access by making the open house experience safe and affordable for everyone, no matter where they live. More than that, the back-to-back presentations will highlight the diversity of programs and opportunities offered across the System. We hope this sparks imaginations and provokes high school seniors to rethink what the future may hold for them.”
To attend one or more of these sessions, please register at: https://www.northcarolina.edu/unc-system-virtual-open-house/
Guidance counselors, teachers, and prospective students interested in attending can direct questions to Dr. Bethany Meighen, vice president for Student Affairs, at bdmeighen@northcarolina.edu.
UNC System Virtual Open House Schedule
Monday, October 26
Session 1:
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Featuring Elizabeth City State University, North Carolina A&T State University, UNC-Chapel Hill, and UNC School of the Arts
Tuesday, October 27
Session 2:
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Featuring Fayetteville State University, North Carolina State University, UNC Asheville, and UNC Wilmington
Session 3:
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Featuring East Carolina University, UNC Greensboro, UNC Pembroke, and Winston-Salem State University
Wednesday, October 28
Session 4:
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Featuring Appalachian State University, North Carolina Central University, UNC Charlotte, and Western Carolina University
Session 5:
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Featuring Fayetteville State University, North Carolina State University, UNC Asheville, and UNC Wilmington
Thursday, October 29
Session 6:
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Featuring Elizabeth City State University, North Carolina A&T State University, UNC-Chapel Hill, and UNC School of the Arts
Session 7:
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Featuring Appalachian State University, North Carolina Central University, UNC Charlotte, and Western Carolina University
Friday, October 30
Session 8:
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Featuring East Carolina University, UNC Greensboro, UNC Pembroke, and Winston-Salem State University