Lakehead University was hoping to make a good first impression on prospective students Tuesday.
It seemed to work for Cameron Turner. The 16-year-old Barrie resident attended an open house to learn about the university’s social work program.
“I like that it’s so small,” he said. “It seems homey and everyone seems like they know each other. It’s like a community.”
He hasn’t made up his mind, though, as Lakehead was the first on his list of universities to visit.
The same goes for Noah Zlomislich, also of Barrie. The 15-year-old was inquiring about Lakehead’s business administration program.
Asked why he was scouting out potential universities at the age of 15, he looked at his mom and said with a laugh, “It’s her idea.”
Both of his parents are university professors and recognize the importance of getting a head start on the post-secondary process.
The size of the university — for better or worse — was a common topic of conversation Tuesday, said Florin Pendea, associate professor with the departments of sustainability sciences and geography.
“There can be the perception that because Orillia is so small, we’re not taken seriously,” he said.
However, with about 20 students in his class, he gets to know their personalities, strengths and weaknesses, which helps him help them.
Pendea wasn’t surprised to see young high-school students taking part in the open house.
“I see younger people starting to stress early about thing that you and I stressed about a little later in life,” he said. “The biggest question they have is what kind of career, what kind of job can they get at the end of it?”
The open house continues Wednesday and Thursday.
