In case it might be useful for future students considering Virginia Tech, I wanted to do a write-up about going to a Spring Open House in 2024 and comparing that with the 2025 admitted students Hokie Focus. Maybe it’s because I couldn’t find any info online comparing the two, yet I do hope a brief summer of both might be useful.
Both events had similar schedules:
-Park and walk to registration between 8 and 9
-Get a general overview of VT from different people at Burrus Hall from 9 to 10
-Get a college-specific session from 10:15 to 11:30
-Optional tours of the campus and residential halls
-Program specific sessions in the afternoon on things like the Corps of Cadets
At the Hokie Focus, they also had an information resource fair with tables set up for different on-campus groups. I don’t recall if that was also available at the Open House, but it was a nice way to get students to see what kinds of clubs and services they could access.
The dean of admissions spoke at both of the general overview sessions, and I do think she does a good job hitting on what makes VA Tech unique. At the Hokie Focus, we also got to hear from the university president, a recent graduate and the main coordinator of student services. And each highlighted what advantages could be found at VT both inside and outside of the classroom.
I don’t think that was the same slate of speakers at the open house, but I do feel like it was good information both times.
For the college specific information sessions, they seat you in Burrus by college, and then most of the groups walk to another building or classroom for their sessions. We went for the College of Engineering both times, and both times we just all stayed in the auditorium. So be prepared to be sitting in Burrus for 2+ hours if you do the COE session.
At the open house, we lucked into a really energetic and honest and engaging presenter. She was great, and I think she did a lot to create enthusiasm for the school. She did cover what the COE tends to look at for applicants, and the average SAT scores, and how the classes work the first year (since everyone starts as general engineering students and then moves on to the specific department). I think it was helpful to know what they were looking for in potential students. She was then followed by a group of equally enthusiastic and energetic Dean’s Team/Student Ambassadors of enrolled engineering students. They all talked about where they were from, and why they picked VT, and what they love about the campus, and then answered questions about co0ops and internships and Dual Enrollment credits and campus life. All very helpful.
For the admitted students/Hokie Focus day, we had a different presenter, and it was a far less enthusiastic presentation, but it did cover what you can expect to do as an engineering student at VT. It seemed strange at first for the presenter to talk about what makes a good engineering student, since the room was filled with people who were all invited to be engineering students, and presumable fit that expectation. Eventually, though, the speaker talked about how VT cultivates those characteristics through classes and clubs and other organizational opportunities. It felt like the presentation dragged, though, and it wasn’t a great transition when he said the Dean’s Team/Student Ambassadors would come on stage to talk. Maybe it was because of the introduction, but there was less from the student presenters about why they picked VT and what they thought potential students should consider. I think that would have been a much better place to start the conversation for admitted students, but they didnt’ take that approach.
For the Open House, we did the campus tour, and that was just nice to get a quick overview of the layout. And for Hokie Focus, we were able to do the residential life tour. The residential life tour was maybe 15-20 minutes, and gave a nice overview of what thing look like inside the halls. The campus tour was maybe 30-40 minutes.
We didn’t do any of the other sessions, FWIW, so I can’t speak to the Corps of Cadets presentations or the information resource fair.
It was a year between when we first visited VT as a potential school for my son and when he visited as an admitted student. And each visit was clearly well-organized and stayed on topic for what makes VT special. Both visits definitely helped give a clear overview of the school, although I’m not sure it was really necessary to go to both events. I’m personally glad we did both, but I hope this gives a little insight for others who might be weighing their admitted students day times.