Why You Should Attend an Open House!

Author: Celina Aalders
Posted on January 22, 2021

During my grade 12 school year in 2017, I decided I wanted to attend Mount Allison’s fall Open House and let me just say, it was the best decision I have ever made in my life (no exaggeration). I attended the Open House with my parents. We left our house in Halifax, NS at 6 a.m. to make it to MtA on time. The whole drive, I was so nervous and when I arrived, I was even more nervous. This was my very first time touring a university and the reality was sinking in that I would soon be graduating high school and likely moving away for school. To me, it felt like I was the only one who was not attending the Open House with a big group of friends, and not going to lie, I felt pretty alone.

Once we got split up into our groups for the tour of the campus, I started to break out of my shell a bit more and started to feel more comfortable. My campus ambassador (tour guide) was asking us questions, cracking jokes, and made me feel truly welcome at Mount Allison. I even met a friend who happened to be from the same relative area as me. After we finished our tour and I met up with my parents for lunch, I said to them, “I think I want to come here” and the rest is history.

Attending an Open House is the best way possible to feel out the vibe of a school and imagine what it would be like to go there. For me, I loved the way I felt on campus, I loved how friendly everyone was, I loved how similar the people I was meeting were to me, and based on all of that, I knew I would be accepting my offer to Mount Allison. Had I not attended the Open House, I likely would not be here in my third year today and enjoying my experience every step of the way.

Another amazing thing that happened at the Open House was that my Dad told me about another Dad he had met in the parents’ tour group. He said he was very nice, friendly, and that they chatted for almost three hours. He said he had a daughter from Maine who was also very interested in Mount A. I didn’t get to meet this man or his daughter that day, but it turns out that the following September, she would become one of my best friends ever and two years after that, we would be roommates sharing an apartment together. Open House is where you make connections that could quite possibly be the foundation of your time here at Mount Allison, and I think that that is so special.

Despite Covid-19 affecting our ability to have in-person Open Houses this year, our virtual ones can be just as valuable. You will have the opportunity to connect with other students, professors, extra curricular groups, sports teams, and so much more. You definitely don’t have to be physically on campus to feel the positive energy that Mount Allison exudes, and I think that that is what makes our school so unique. And the best part? You can attend our Open House from ANYWHERE in the entire world! So skip the big price tag that comes with a plane ticket or road trip to Sackville, NB and come to our winter Open House from the comfort of your own home. You will get to connect with new people, learn about everything Mount A has to offer, and hopefully find your dream university.

Photo: Me getting my on-the-spot admission to Mount Allison at the fall 2017 Open House

Mount Allison's Winter Open House is being held virtually from February 25-27, 2021. Register online now!