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While most Pepperdine students are concerned with finishing this semester, high school students are deciding if they will be studying next semester at Pepperdine. Admission acceptance letters were sent April 1 and admitted students must decide by May 1 whether they will attend Pepperdine. The Seaver College Office of Admissions is expecting around 900 admitted students Saturday for its annual Malibu reception.
According to Kristy Paredes, admissions counselor and coordinator of the event, the Office of Admissions has been planning for the reception since December. While this year’s reception will involve many of the components that current students once experienced, this year’s event is slightly different.
“It’s a pretty traditional process, but this year the student life session is going to be a lot cooler,” Paredes said. “We’re using interactive media presentations, including one where answers to questions that students ask will appear on a screen. It will be a cool, interactive, technical program.”
The day will begin with an opening session of speakers who will welcome the students to the university. President Andrew K. Benton, senior Cassia Hamilton and alumna Ashley Tucker will present. All members of the admissions staff will be involved with the event.
Miller said she has been looking forward to this event all year.
“You’re actually meeting people who will be going to Pepperdine,” Miller said. “It’s fun to get to help students with this difficult decision and it’s the people they meet and connect with that help make that decision.”
Julie Phillips, of Laguna Beach, Calif., who was recruited by the women’s lacrosse team, said she was relieved upon receiving her acceptance letter.
“I have felt God calling me to go to Pepperdine for over a year after I met the women's lacrosse coach at a tournament at the Rose Bowl,” Phillips said. “Everything just seemed to work out with my visiting the campus and ultimately, getting recruited for the team.”
Although Phillips is unable to attend this weekend’s reception, other admitted students will attend academic departmental sessions after the initial welcome. “We’ve invited all the divisions to have representatives to talk to the students,” Paredes said. “Every major will be represented.”
Academic sessions will be followed by the Waves Expo, in which Pepperdine clubs will highlight their group activities. Tours of the campus and the dorms will be offered throughout the day. Students from two different dorms are allowing prospective students to tour their rooms. According to Paredes, the Malibu Reception and the Preview Day, which is held in November, are the only two times during the year that prospective students are able to tour the residential halls.
The Malibu reception will conclude with both a parent and student session. Not only is the entire admission office team involved in this event, but several other students will also help guide prospective students.
Admitted students must consider a variety of factors in making their decisions. Phillips, who has decided she will attend Pepperdine, said she likes the university’s atmosphere.
“I liked the small classroom sizes, how friendly the students were, and the size and set-up of the dorm rooms,” Phillips said. “I liked the location. It’s close to Los Angeles, but far enough out that it is quiet and great for learning and building a community.”
Submitted 04-06-2006
MALIBU, CA
