Ouachita Stories

“What college is right for me?” – the looming question that preoccupies many soon-to-be high school graduates. While deciding on “the right college” can be a daunting task, it can also be an exciting one. Ouachita Baptist University’s Office of Admissions Counseling is highlighting this idea by providing prospective students with opportunities to experience Ouachita’s world firsthand.

“Admissions events are important because they help students see if they can picture themselves at Ouachita,” said Stacy Beck, an OBU admissions counselor. “Families may hear about our welcoming atmosphere and wonderful instruction, but it makes a difference to experience these details firsthand.”

One way Ouachita’s Office of Admissions Counseling is achieving this is through hosting various Tiger Day events for prospective students. These events give students and their parents an opportunity to get a glimpse of a typical day on Ouachita’s campus.

“I attended a Tiger Day my senior year of high school,” said Kara Reynolds, a senior speech pathology major from Benton, Ark. “It was a great way to get a feeling of what Ouachita had to offer.”

Tiger Days give prospective students the opportunity to attend classes in their interested field of study, meet with the dean of that academic school and tour the campus and residence halls.

In addition to the tours, parents get the opportunity to attend Q&A panels where they can ask university administrators any remaining questions they may have regarding admissions, academics or student life.

“The whole event is a personable time for families and students to get a feel for our campus, to see the welcoming nature of our students and faculty firsthand and to have the opportunity to meet our administrators,” said Beck.

If prospective students are seeking a more customizable experience, the admissions counseling staff also provides private campus tours. Similar to Tiger Days, the events allow prospective students and their parents the opportunity to attend classes, meet with deans and get a glimpse of Ouachita, but in a one-on-one setting with an admissions counseling staff member.

“Doing a campus tour was really informative,” said Kelsey Lamb, a senior mass communications major from Little Rock, Ark. “It was great to get the perspective of a former student.”

Whether addressing questions about possible majors, the specifics of residence hall life or the range of extracurricular options, these admissions events put all of the experts together in one place “so that families can get quick and accurate answers to all of their questions,” said Beck.

Tiger Days scheduled for the spring semester include: Monday, Feb. 17; Monday, March 10; Friday, March 14; and Friday, April 4. Visit www.obu.edu/admissions/visit/ for more details about Tiger Days and to schedule a personal visit, or contact the Office of Admissions Counseling at (870) 245-5110.

By Taylor Tomlinson