Ken Steele went to the Ontario Universities' Fair, in September 2016, and asked 45 experts for their best advice for young people trying to choose between universities. And these are people who ought to know: 11 university presidents, 9 recruiters and admissions professionals, and 25 current undergraduate students. (For 1080p version see https://youtu.be/ksAk8ppph4s )
In the end, there was consensus on 8 key pieces of advice you should keep in mind:
1) Take Your TIme
2) Do Your Homework
3) Ask Questions
4) Visit Campuses
5) Look Further Afield
6) Find a Comfortable Fit
7) There are No Bad Choices
8) Ultimately, It's Up to You
Interviewed for this episode:
Algoma U:
Craig Chamberlin, President & Vice-Chancellor
Brad Lloyd, Admissions Advisor
Anna Stilin, Student Ambassador
Brock U:
Brian Hutchings, Acting President
James Mandigo, Vice-Provost, Enrolment Management & International
Carleton U:
Suzanne Blanchard, Vice-President, Students & Enrolment
Lakehead U:
Brian Stevenson, President & Vice-Chancellor
Adriel Martin, Student Ambassador
Kelsey Agnew, Student Ambassador
Laurentian U:
Dominic Giroux, President & Vice-Chancellor
Abegail Villaruel, Student Ambassador
Alexander Mayhew, Student Ambassador
Nipissing U:
Mike DeGagné, President & Vice-Chancellor
Victoria Bass, Student Ambassador
Deanna Jackett, Student Ambassador
Jordan Andrews, President, Nipissing University Student Union
OCADU:
Sara Diamond, President & Vice-Chancellor
UOIT:
Tim McTiernan, President & Vice-Chancellor
Happy Inibhunu, Student Ambassador
Alykhan Sumar, Student Ambassador
Devon McGrath, Student Ambassador
uOttawa:
Steve Perry, Dean of Science
Karen D’Souza, Student Ambassador
Chantal Breton, Student Ambassador
Queen’s U:
Stuart Pinchin, Executive Director, Undergraduate Admissions & Recruitment
Laura Wyatt, Intern, Undergraduate Admissions & Recruitment
Maura Mackenzie, Recruitment Representative
Ryerson U:
Mohamed Lachemi, President & Vice-Chancellor
Trent U:
Leo Groarke, President & Vice-Chancellor
Dexter Fichuk, Student Ambassador
Gytha Chapman, Student Ambassador
Western U:
Amit Chakma, President & Vice-Chancellor
Lori Gribbon, Associate Registrar, Admissions & Recruitment
Haley Everitt, Senior Campus Tour Guide
Maher Alazzam, Campus Tour Guide
Michael Maximino, Senior Campus Tour Guide
King’s UC:
Brandon Csendes, Admissions & Liaison Officer
Paul Wilton, Admissions & Liaison Officer
Wilfrid Laurier U:
Ty Ackerman, Student Ambassador
Jordan Baechler, Student Ambassador
Urbashi Das, Campus Ambassador Coordinator
uWindsor:
Alan Wildeman, President & Vice-Chancellor
John-Michael Lemaire, Student Ambassador
Abrial Cooke, Student Ambassador
OUAC:
Deanna Underwood, Manager of Communications
Thank you to all who agreed to be interviewed! And our apologies to those we missed because of time constraints. (We had just 1.5 days onsite this year.)
Recent episodes have examined the top reasons why people love attending the OUF, and new booths and recruitment marketing tactics, and Advice on Choosing a Program. Next week: Hot New Programs at Ontario Universities.
For exclusive early access, subscribe to our free email newsletter at www.eduvation.ca/subscribe
Ken Steele went to the Ontario Universities' Fair, in September 2016, and asked 45 experts for their best advice for young people trying to choose a program or field of study after high school. And these are people who ought to know: 11 university presidents, 9 recruiters and admissions professionals, and 25 current undergraduate students. (For 1080p version, see https://youtu.be/ng-xADfIkio )
In the end, there was consensus on 7 key pieces of advice you should keep in mind, if you're trying to make a decision about your post-secondary path:
1) Don't Panic!
2) Start Early
3) Follow Your Passion
4) It's OK Not to Know Yet
5) Don't Limit Yourself
6) Keep an Open Mind
7) University will Expand Your Horizons
Interviewed for this episode:
Algoma U:
Craig Chamberlin, President & Vice-Chancellor
Brad Lloyd, Admissions Advisor
Anna Stilin, Student Ambassador
Brock U:
Brian Hutchings, Acting President
James Mandigo, Vice-Provost, Enrolment Management & International
Carleton U:
Suzanne Blanchard, Vice-President, Students & Enrolment
Lakehead U:
Brian Stevenson, President & Vice-Chancellor
Adriel Martin, Student Ambassador
Kelsey Agnew, Student Ambassador
Laurentian U:
Dominic Giroux, President & Vice-Chancellor
Abegail Villaruel, Student Ambassador
Alexander Mayhew, Student Ambassador
Nipissing U:
Mike DeGagné, President & Vice-Chancellor
Victoria Bass, Student Ambassador
Deanna Jackett, Student Ambassador
Jordan Andrews, President, Nipissing University Student Union
OCADU:
Sara Diamond, President & Vice-Chancellor
UOIT:
Tim McTiernan, President & Vice-Chancellor
Happy Inibhunu, Student Ambassador
Alykhan Sumar, Student Ambassador
Devon McGrath, Student Ambassador
uOttawa:
Steve Perry, Dean of Science
Karen D’Souza, Student Ambassador
Chantal Breton, Student Ambassador
Queen’s U:
Stuart Pinchin, Executive Director, Undergraduate Admissions & Recruitment
Laura Wyatt, Intern, Undergraduate Admissions & Recruitment
Maura Mackenzie, Recruitment Representative
Ryerson U:
Mohamed Lachemi, President & Vice-Chancellor
Trent U:
Leo Groarke, President & Vice-Chancellor
Dexter Fichuk, Student Ambassador
Gytha Chapman, Student Ambassador
Western U:
Amit Chakma, President & Vice-Chancellor
Haley Everitt, Senior Campus Tour Guide
Maher Alazzam, Campus Tour Guide
Michael Maximino, Senior Campus Tour Guide
King’s UC:
Brandon Csendes, Admissions & Liaison Officer
Paul Wilton, Admissions & Liaison Officer
Wilfrid Laurier U:
Ty Ackerman, Student Ambassador
Jordan Baechler, Student Ambassador
Urbashi Das, Campus Ambassador Coordinator
uWindsor:
Alan Wildeman, President & Vice-Chancellor
John-Michael Lemaire, Student Ambassador
Abrial Cooke, Student Ambassador
OUAC:
Deanna Underwood, Manager of Communications
Thank you to all who agreed to be interviewed! And our apologies to those we missed because of time constraints. (We had just 1.5 days onsite this year.)
Recent episodes have examined the top reasons why people love attending the OUF, and new booths and recruitment marketing tactics. Next week: Advice on Choosing a University.
For exclusive early access, subscribe to our free email newsletter at www.eduvation.ca/subscribe
In the second episode from the 2016 Ontario Universities' Fair, Ken Steele surveys the exhibit floor and interviews university representatives to summarize what's new in student recruitment marketing this fall. (See the first, "Why Go to the OUF?" at https://youtu.be/CyXKcQ7fsac ). This podcast includes some flashback photos, video and even some unused interviews from previous years' OUFs, from 2006 to the present.
Data Collection: The underlying goal for student recruitment offices at the Fair is to collect contact information for as many prospective students as possible. As Deanna Underwood of OUAC explains, in previous years that meant that prospective students had to enter their contact information in 21 different ways, on paper, iPad, laptop or computer, at all the various booths. That also tended to mean that many universities offered prize incentives to collect data. Last year we interviewed Craig Chipps of Wilfrid Laurier about the branded hoodies they were giving away; Deanna MacQuarrie of uGuelph about their prizes ranging up to an iPhone 6; and both York's Jock Phippen and Carleton's Jean Mullan about their draws for free tuition.
All this repetitive data entry seemed pointless for students, and after years of discussion, this year finally introduced centralized data collection: the OUF Passport. Prospective students were encouraged to register online in advance, and thousands did so. Many more registered at the computer terminals in the OUF lobby, or on their smartphones with the assistance of staff at the university booths. By day two, universities were collecting more contacts than in previous years. In place of all the various contests of previous years, this year COU had a "money booth" for students.
Exhibit Booths: Ontario universities are investing six figures in spacious, professional booths, so they use them for years, with minor updates. (This year, Laurentian added more bilingual signage, Laurier added a new photo collage, and Windsor added its new tagline, "Promise.")
This year, considerable floorspace in the exhibits was freed up from the various desks and kiosks that were so critical for data collection. Many universities rearranged their booths to allow much more space for conversation. New booth layouts for Nipissing, Carleton and Brock focused on kiosks for each major faculty or program, where prospective students could speak with recruiters, faculty or current student ambassadors. Brock wanted to emphasize the transdisciplinary opportunities for students. Carleton wanted to leverage more technology, like video screens and an interactive robot, to engage students and tell its story. McMaster’s new booth adds many backlit images of campus and animated video screens, but unlike the open-concept designs, Mac’s booth seems to create corners and cubbies for small conversations to occur.
Western's Lori Gribbon took time to describe their brand-new exhibit, which utilizes the maximum 12-foot height, plenty of backlit graphics and video screens to convey a sense of the beautiful campus. They analyzed the previous booth, and modified the layout to optimize traffic flow. A new “student experience” corner focuses students on co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, from athletics to residence.
Virtual Reality: Last year, we reported that UOIT was pioneering the use of 3D (VR) campus tours using beta versions of Oculus Rift headsets. https://youtu.be/7YVIz2RMXCg Now that 3D video is supported on YouTube and Facebook, and easily available on most smartphones, the cost has come down and more universities are creating VR tours. Western shot dozens of 360° videos of campus, from residence rooms, classrooms and labs to outdoor orientation events. The videos are available on the Western welcome page, on Facebook and Twitter, and Western ambassadors had branded iCardboard viewers for prospective students and parents to take a look. uWindsor likewise had branded cardboard viewers for students. Lakehead was using plastic HooDoo viewers, which fasten to your head with velcro. Laurentian's Jean-Paul Rains showed us their ViewMaster brand viewers, using an app designed by Laurentian CompSci students. He explained that the initiative was very cost effective, using a tiny $500 Ricoh Theta S camera, $30 headsets, and $500 smartphones.
Travel Incentives: Algoma U has started offering all-expense-paid visits to its campus in Sault Ste Marie, for interested prospective students. President Craig Chamberlin says they provide transportation, housing and meals, and tour potential students around campus to meet their future faculty members and attend classes.
In the next episode, we’ll ask people at the OUF for their advice for high school students contemplating their post-secondary futures.
(For 1080p version, see https://youtu.be/p3u-K_15cOM )
Remember, subscribe to our free email newsletter to get exclusive early access to upcoming episodes. www.eduvation.ca/subscribe
Ken Steele goes on location at the largest PSE exhibition in North America, the Ontario Universities' Fair in Toronto. Over 2 days he interviewed 11 presidents, 9 front-line staff and 25 student ambassadors.
This week, we find out what they like best about the OUF, and why they recommend prospective students attend. It should be interesting to anyone who has ever attended the fair, or is considering it!
(For 1080p version, visit https://youtu.be/CyXKcQ7fsac )
Algoma U:
Craig Chamberlin, President & Vice-Chancellor
Brad Lloyd, Admissions Advisor
Anna Stilin, Student Ambassador
Brock U:
Brian Hutchings, Acting President
James Mandigo, Vice-Provost, Enrolment Management & International
Carleton U:
Suzanne Blanchard, Vice-President, Students & Enrolment
Lakehead U:
Brian Stevenson, President & Vice-Chancellor
Adriel Martin, Student Ambassador
Kelsey Agnew, Student Ambassador
Laurentian U:
Dominic Giroux, President & Vice-Chancellor
Abegail Villaruel, Student Ambassador
Alexander Mayhew, Student Ambassador
Nipissing U:
Mike DeGagné, President & Vice-Chancellor
Victoria Bass, Student Ambassador
Deanna Jackett, Student Ambassador
Jordan Andrews, President, Nipissing University Student Union
OCADU:
Sara Diamond, President & Vice-Chancellor
UOIT:
Tim McTiernan, President & Vice-Chancellor
Happy Inibhunu, Student Ambassador
Alykhan Sumar, Student Ambassador
Devon McGrath, Student Ambassador
uOttawa:
Steve Perry, Dean of Science
Karen D’Souza, Student Ambassador
Chantal Breton, Student Ambassador
Queen’s U:
Stuart Pinchin, Executive Director, Undergraduate Admissions & Recruitment
Laura Wyatt, Intern, Undergraduate Admissions & Recruitment
Maura Mackenzie, Recruitment Representative
Ryerson U:
Mohamed Lachemi, President & Vice-Chancellor
Trent U:
Leo Groarke, President & Vice-Chancellor
Dexter Fichuk, Student Ambassador
Gytha Chapman, Student Ambassador
Western U:
Amit Chakma, President & Vice-Chancellor
Lori Gribbon, Associate Registrar, Admissions & Recruitment
Haley Everitt, Senior Campus Tour Guide
Maher Alazzam, Campus Tour Guide
Michael Maximino, Senior Campus Tour Guide
King’s UC:
Brandon Csendes, Admissions & Liaison Officer
Paul Wilton, Admissions & Liaison Officer
Wilfrid Laurier U:
Ty Ackerman, Student Ambassador
Jordan Baechler, Student Ambassador
Urbashi Das, Campus Ambassador Coordinator
uWindsor:
Alan Wildeman, President & Vice-Chancellor
John-Michael Lemaire, Student Ambassador
Abrial Cooke, Student Ambassador
OUAC:
Deanna Underwood, Manager of Communications
Thank you to all who agreed to be interviewed! And our apologies to those we missed because of time constraints. (We had just 1.5 days onsite this year.) Also apologies to those who will be at the Ontario College Information Fair next month - unfortunately Ken's travel schedule prevents him from attending this year.
Watch for upcoming episodes about new booths and marketing tactics, advice for prospective students, how universities are evolving to serve the needs of 21st century learners, and much more. For exclusive early access, subscribe to our free email newsletter at www.eduvation.ca/subscribe
Meanwhile check out these past episodes about college and university fairs:
Overview - 2015 OUF - https://youtu.be/hD0dDn2iP3Q
Hot New Programs - 2015 OUF - https://youtu.be/O5c1OrH73RQ
Bringing the Campus to the 2015 OUF - https://youtu.be/7YVIz2RMXCg
The 2013 Ontario College Information Fair - https://youtu.be/jYO2JlqCQWI
The 2013 OUF - https://youtu.be/jyyMXXIMjYs