Own the Dome event sees increase in attendance of accepted students
Syracuse University’s Own the Dome event, held Sunday night, was attended by more accepted students than in the previous two years of the event.
About 525 high school students who have been admitted to SU spent the night in the Carrier Dome as part of the third-annual Own the Dome event. Own the Dome coincides with one of SU’s Spring Reception days so prospective high school students can decide whether or not SU is the right fit for them. After a night in the Dome, students then spent Monday touring campus.
The 2015 Own the Dome event featured “great food, team building activities, entertainment provided by current student performers and a hypnotist,” said Peter Hagan, the associate director of admissions at SU.
The number of students in attendance this year was 25 more than in previous years, Hagan said. He added that this year, organizers invited all current SU students to volunteer. A total of more than 200 current SU students and 50 professional staff members volunteered at this year’s Own the Dome, Hagan said.
A majority of prospective students in attendance were looking forward to participating in the evening’s events.
“I’m mostly just excited about the flag football game happening tonight,” said Justin Jedwab, a high school senior from New City, New York, at the event. “And maybe finding my future roommate here, too.”
For students who had already accepted their admission to SU, Own the Dome provided them with an opportunity to start creating friendships before they start classes in August.
“I’m looking forward to meeting other students who are planning to come here next year,” said Carolyn Venditti, a high school senior from Clifton, New York, at the event. “I think coming to Own the Dome and meeting all these new people will really help me adjust much quicker in the fall.”
For others, the event gave students a chance to get to know SU beyond a simple campus tour.
“I’m most excited to get a sneak peak of what Syracuse is really all about,” said Jennifer Valdez, a high school senior from Tenafly, New Jersey, at the event. “This definitely goes above and beyond a regular campus visit.”
Published on April 13, 2015 at 11:00 pm
Contact Chelsea: cmportne@syr.edu
