Potential students visit
Monday’s CHOICES hosts largest-ever session for February
By Sarah Sullivan, staff writer
Posted on February 22, 2007

With throngs of students clad in purple and gold, Monday’s CHOICES program brought prospective students and their parents cheering along with the JMU Fight Song, throwing high fives and sounding their horns for the “honk if you love JMU” signs.

The program was the first of three to be held this year for accepted students. Prospective students and parents attended seminars, toured campus and were immersed in JMU student life.

“It is a little overwhelming,” Sarah Schaeffer, senior assistant director of admissions, said. “But what they experience today is JMU. It is a great opportunity to see who we are.”

According to JMU Admissions Director Michael Walsh, of the 3,400 admitted for early action, which is 500 more admitted students than last year, 1,089 students attended Monday’s CHOICES.  There were 5,400 applicants for early action.

“This year’s applicant pool was stronger than previous years,” Walsh said. “It was also larger.”

In addition, Monday’s CHOICES was the largest-ever for February, and program numbers have grown every year since its start in 2001.

“The vast majority of the students who come in February are really looking,” Schaeffer said.  “They are really checking us out.” 

Prospective students spoke highly of the program and the university.

“I love it here,” said Kaitlyn Fitzgerald of Parkton, Md. “I am definitely coming here next year. I’ve visited other colleges, but no others had anything like the CHOICES program.”
Other prospective students commented on the dynamic of JMU.

“All the students are so friendly. Someone offered to buy me a drink,” said Brian Pearce of Chesterfield. “Before it was ‘iffy,’ now I’m pretty sure this is where I want to come. I’d give it 90 percent.”

Many shared the same sentiments. “The people are so welcoming,” said Tricia Klingenberg of Rivervale, N.J. “It’s like a culture shock. Everyone up North isn’t this nice.”

Student CHOICES volunteers helped make the event possible. Walsh said more than 600 students and hundreds of faculty and staff volunteered, Monday. In addition, Student Ambassadors and the Office of Admissions worked together to coordinate the student help.

“I want to represent JMU well and appropriately,” sophomore Rob Anderson said. “JMU has this feeling in the air, and that is what you can see during CHOICES. That is what is important to put out there. We are a community.” 

Although it was chilly, many CHOICES volunteers were proud to stand on the corners around campus to represent JMU. “I totally love doing this,” junior Jennifer Fisher said. “When I was an incoming freshman, I was so happy to see people smiling. I feel like I am giving back.”