It's months before the leaves will begin blowing across the quad, but many high-school university applicants are wondering now whether the McMaster campus is where they'll be on the first day of the fall semester.

They'll get a chance to find out before then what it's like to be an undergraduate student at McMaster. The University opens its doors on Saturday, March 18 for a Spring Open House for prospective first-year students. The day-long event begins at 10 a.m. in the Ivor Wynne Centre.

According to Patricia Harris of the liaison division, Office of the Registrar, this year's Spring Open House will be the most comprehensive yet for the University.

Harris says that the idea is to keep McMaster in the forefront of the minds of the 4,000 expected visitors until mid-April when acceptances are sent out.

“Our visitors will be comparing McMaster to other universities. Many have applied to multiple programs and here they will have the chance, for example, if they have applied to both science and kinesiology, to take the opportunity to sit in on lectures, meet with current students and faculty, and get a feel for which program best suits them.”

Eager first-year applicants will participate in a variety of events and activities aimed at exploring the wealth of opportunities available to them at the University.

With over 30 academic, service and student display areas to browse through, visitors to campus can meet with University representatives, pick up information and ask questions.

Faculty-specific events include information sessions, mini lectures, demonstrations and displays from the School of Business and the Faculties of Engineering, Health Sciences, Science, Humanities and the Social Sciences.

Tours of the campus, the planetarium, the trading centre and undergraduate labs are also on the agenda.

Harris says she is absolutely pleased with the enthusiasm, creativity and eagerness shown by the Faculties and service departments for the event.

For more information about the Open House, follow the link below.