In an effort to recruit more Iowa students, the University of Iowa is expecting up to 3,000 guests on Oct. 25 for the new academic and student life open house.

Though the university has approximately 12 programs throughout the year for high-school students to get campus tours, this year’s program will provide a whole new experience called You@UI.

Eric Page, the director of recruitment and admissions, said officials have been looking for a good way to get faculty connected with prospective students.

“It’s an intense process now. You have a lot of choices,” he said. “Colleges are all different, but from a distance, they all kind of look the same. I think the purpose of this type of event is to really connect the students to a big community like this.”

In order to connect the students, the UI has planned an interactive tour.

Rather than just walking around campus and seeing their possible future school, they will be able to choose an itinerary based on their intended major and actually attend classes. 

“We [have] a desire to really show prospective students what it will be like to learn in a classroom as a Hawkeye student,” he said.

Thus far, around 930 students have registered for the event. The event’s budget is $30,000.

Lon Moeller, the associate provost for undergraduate education, said officials are excited to give students and their families a firsthand look at what it’s like to be a Hawkeye.

“We are excited to bring such a large number of students and their families to the UI to meet with Iowa students, faculty, and staff,” he said.

Moeller said volunteers will staff the event.

In order to acquire the large number of students who are planning on attending the event, officials got word out via printed and digital advertising.

High-school counselors were also notified.

Amy Kanellis, a guidance counselor at Iowa City West High, said she thinks this event will be better than a generic tour.

“It’s an awesome new development the campus is providing,” she said. “I think that anything you can do to give them a feel of what it’s like to be a student on campus is great.”

Erin Gabriel, a college career coordinator at Dowling Catholic High School, shares the same opinion as Kanellis.

She said she believes that students being able to interact with faculty members in their intended major would help them get a better idea of what it would be like if they decide to go to the UI.

The interactivity that the university is providing for students is unlike anything it has done before.

“It’s really important as students are making choices,” Page said.