4:26 p.m., July 29, 2010----The University of Delaware's Office of Admissions kicked off its 2010-11 recruitment season by hosting more than 2,450 prospective students and 7,770 total guests during the 2010 Delaware Discovery Days. The number of prospective students is an 18 percent jump over last summer's attendance.

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Discovery Days were held on three consecutive Saturdays in July and began with a campus-wide information fair at the Bob Carpenter Center.

More than 600 faculty, staff, and students represented more than 125 majors, 100 minors and 24 student life or student services departments over the course of the three events.

“The beauty of this program is that high school students, many of whom are not sure of their intended major, can find out about any major at UD,” said Faye Duffy, senior associate director of admissions. “In one campus visit, students and parents get answers to any question about the University of Delaware directly from faculty and staff.”

More than 20 Newark restaurants offered discounts to families during their visits, as well. “Newark is certainly a plus when trying to attract new students to UD,” Duffy said. “So we wanted families to take in and see as much of the campus and the city as possible during their visit.”

All attending students received an electronic survey after each program to provide feedback. According to Tiffany Scott, admissions counselor who assists Duffy in coordinating the program, the preliminary responses from students and parents have been overwhelmingly positive. “Ninety-one percent of the students who replied indicated that they will be applying to UD.”

In addition, “a large percentage of those say UD is one of their top choices for college,” Scott said.

After the information fair, prospective students and family members had an opportunity to tour central campus and see three different types of residence halls. Information sessions on admissions and student financial services, and one featuring the Honors Program and undergraduate research were also popular.

In addition, guests had a chance to ask questions of current UD students during an open forum on “The Delaware Experience.”

Bryn Campbell, assistant director of admissions and coordinator of the Blue Hen Ambassadors, said she believes the most positive experience of the day was families meeting and talking with current students. “We hear so many positive comments about our Discovery Day guides,” Campbell said. “We had over 100 current students giving tours, directing, and just helping students and their families throughout the day.”

Katie Meloro, a recent UD graduate with a major in music education and a Blue Hen Ambassador, said she feels a highlight of the day was the chance for guests to get free ice cream. “So many people told me how great the UDairy ice cream tasted at the end of the day. They also said no other college offers a campus visit experience quite like Discovery Days.”

According to Duffy, the total Discovery Day attendance of 7,770 represents about 12 percent of the total visitors who attend an admissions program or campus tour throughout the year. “In recent years, the UD admissions office has hosted about 70,000 visitors to campus, of whom 25,000 are students,” she said.

Now that Discovery Days are over, the admissions office is beginning to plan its three fall programs, entitled Blue and Golden Saturdays, on Oct. 2 and Oct. 23, and Nov. 13. “We expect to have another 6,500 total guests attend one of these three dates this fall,” Duffy said. “UD faculty and staff will play a major role in these events, as well. We couldn't make as positive an impression on our guests without the support of the entire campus community.”

Photos by Duane Perry