Cougar Preview allowed prospective students to explore academic and recreational facilities at the University of Houston Saturday.
Prospective freshmen and transfer students received information about various academic programs, admission requirements, scholarships, financial aid opportunities and campus housing.
About 500 freshman and transfer students attended.
“This is great. I never got a formal tour of the campus before, but today I’m learning new things. I even got to meet with some of the faculty and staff,” said Sanober Ali, incoming freshman. “I’m really excited about graduating from high school and getting the full college experience at UH. I didn’t realize how big this school is.”
The financial aid information allowed students to better understand the process.
Angela McGhee, incoming freshman, said she was confused about the financial aid process prior to the event.
“Before the event I was depending on my friends, to ask them questions about the financial aid process. I was asking them how they were doing it, but they weren’t clear enough,” McGhee said.
“All my financial aid concerns were answered clearly and now I am ready to go home and finally fill out my FAFSA because I know how it works.”
Tara Monson, an admissions counselor, said the Preview was important for incoming students to attend.
“It assists them in making a college choice and answers any questions they have about the admissions process, their major, financial aid, or even what campus life is like,” Monson said.
“It gives them a chance to see for themselves the excellent academic and recreational facilities as well as meet with UH faculty staff, and student leaders.”
Students on campus took this event as an opportunity to get in volunteer hours.
“About 30 students showed up and helped,” said Monson. “They helped with decorations, registration and the information desk.”
UH faculty and staff also contributed to the event.
“The entire Office of Admissions was present, as well as representatives from most colleges that conducted academic sessions,” Monson said. “Departments such as Scholarships & Financial Aid and Residential Life & Housing gave presentations. Several departments and student organizations were present at the organizations fair in the UC arbor.”
Various student organizations set up booths to encourage new students to join.
Nick Nguyen, a transfer student from Houston Baptist University, was interested in joining the pre-pharmacy association.
“I’m a pre-pharmacy major, so it was really convenient for me to just walk up to the pre-pharmacy booth and ask for an application to join,” Nguyen said. “A lot of clubs caught my attention in the organizations fair. I want to join as many as possible. It’s a good way to be involved on campus.”
Toward the end of the Cougar Preview, the Athletics Department sold tickets to the men’s basketball game, which came with a free ticket to the women’s basketball game.
The Cougar Preview occurs twice per year, once in the fall and once in the spring.
