Waterloo will welcome 6000+ at Open House

Chanele Polenz is excited to show future students why she loves the University of Waterloo at the annual March Open House.

The fourth-year biochemistry student remembers attending the Open House when she was a high school.

Now, on Saturday March 1, she’ll get a chance to share the Waterloo excitement with thousands of prospective students.

“I took all the tours I possibly could that day and it was definitely worth it. Waterloo seemed so distant until that day. But after the Open House it truly started to feel like home,” says Polenz.

Polenz, who is organizing the 45- minute campus tours during the Open House believes visiting a campus has a huge influence on high school students who are making choices about where they want to study.  Students and families interested in attending the events and sessions are encouraged to register online.

“There is so much more to Waterloo than just studying and I want them to see that,” she adds.

The March Open House is a great opportunity for future students to learn about campus life by touring the campus, checking out the athletic facilities, and attending information sessions about residence, co-operative education, and financing an education.

The Open House will also feature club demonstrations from 11 am to 2 pm, which highlight student life.

Polenz has been a student ambassador for four years and loves inspiring high school students.  “Visiting Waterloo made me fall in love with the atmosphere and the people. I felt like I truly belonged,” she says.

“High school students are about to go through a life changing moment -- I love helping them find the right fit, says Polenz. “Students feel overwhelmed at this time and I think being able to talk to someone who has been through the same things makes the transition so much easier.”