Prospective students from across the nation spent their day in the shoes of a Park University Pirate at the Pirate Preview event Oct. 4.

Students lingered in to the Milsap Foyer and were greeted with hot coffee and smiling faces from the Admissions crew during the event, which is hosted by the admissions department. Counselors, along with their student ambassadors, set aside two days out of each semester to welcome prospective students to the campus.

During this event, potential Pirates sort through all the possibilities Park University has to offer at an academic fair, campus tour and a complimentary lunch in the second floor of Thompson Commons.

“Pirate previews are great because they give the students the opportunity to talk to faculty,” said Katherine Springston, associate director of daytime admissions. “That’s the big aspect of it that they don’t always get at a personal visit especially not with every single department.

“It also just gets them on campus gets them around current students…and gives them the opportunity to see what it’s like.”

As the first Pirate Preview for the fall semester, 12 students along with their families participated in the events.

Out of the 12, two students had received their acceptance prior to Saturday and will attend Park.

Remaining students applied online with guidance from the admissions and financial aid. Typically the application fee is $25 for U.S. residents who are seeking an undergraduate degree; however, this fee was waved for their attendance at the Pirate Preview event.

“I really am excited to see the campus,” said Sara Walker, Parkville resident and prospective student. “I grew up down here so I’ve seen it form afar but I haven’t ever really gotten to see anything up close and I’m glad that it’s close to home.”

During the kick-off event, which was an academic fair, 27 departments and programs were represented. Future students stopped by the departments and programs that caught their interested in order to learn more about types of classes within and any other pertinent information.

Student ambassadors guided those who had not yet been on a campus tour after the academic fair. While the academic fair provides an insight on what studies are available, the tour shows where Park students eat, sleep, go to class and spend time with friends.

“It was a great turnout,” said Admissions Counselor Andrew Baxley. “I thought all the students who attended were very interested in Park University and got to see all the wonderful opportunities we have to offer here.