YOU’RE Famous!

After Open Campus Day I not only realized that I’m famous…but you are too! I spent Open Campus Day trying to find all the students I met before at their own high schools just to say hi. No autographs or anything, but I did try to get some applications in…and those have to be signed…so it’s kind of the same thing! You really are like celebrities to me! It’s so exciting to talk to interested students. I’m spending the next week in NB which is great. I have had a lot of students this week asking about how hard it is to go to med school, law school and other graduate programs from the Mount. The answer is, we have several students who apply to these programs and get in from our undergrad programs. Work hard, get to know your professors and get involved as much as possible during your undergrad to help pave the way to these programs, but for now focus on choosing that first degree that you will be enjoy and be able to excel in so you keep the doors wide open when you are finished!

Ciao 4 now

Melanie

Three Secrets Just For You

So I'll let you in a on a few secrets about finding the right university for you and what the Mount's really all about. I have been working at the Mount for almost five years and am also an alumni so I've got some cred behind me in discovering these secrets. But I'll share them with you because I wish I had known them myself.

Secret Number One

Every university's viewbook makes it look like the best school to go to. They all have pretty pictures, and everyone is having fun, and the information is all there. Same with the websites. And posters, and advertisements, you get it. But the ONLY real way to find out if a school is right for you is to visit it. Seriously. You have to get on campus and walk around and do some serious visualization. Play pretend for a day. You don't have to tell anyone you're doing it - just pretend you're a Mount student when you're at our Open Campus Day on Friday. Pretend you live in Assisi or The Birches and walk around like you own the place. If it feels right, then you're one step closer to finding that fit that is right for you.



Secret Number Two

We have candy at our Open Campus Day on Friday. Yep. It's on Halloween this year so that means we get to dress up and give away candy. In fact our tour is really Trick or Treating so make sure you don't miss that. You also get to sit in on mini lectures to see what our profs are like and what the programs are all about, along with an information fair and a few surprises we'll keep under our hat until you get here (can't give away all the secrets!!). We also have some pretty great prizes so when you leave you will not only have a much better idea of what the Mount's all about, but you will also have candy and maybe a prize. Not too shabby.


Secret Number Three

Okay, so our slogan this year is "Independent Thinking Lives Here". What does that mean? That means that our school is the place that the people who don't just do what everyone else is doing go to. If you are the type of person who lets their true colours show (or just wish you could), the Mount is the place that will let you do that. And it's not just a "slogan", it was created by current and past students, staff, and faculty who thought long and hard about what the Mount is all about and realized this is it. This is a truly special school unlike no other - just ask any student who goes here or has gone here. There will be lots of them at Open Campus Day on Friday to talk to and will be happy to tell you their stories.

So what do you need to do now? Register for Open Campus Day at this link: http://www.msvu.ca/admissions/opencampusday/ - do it now so we buy enough candy for everyone!!

See you then!

Heidi

Tales from the Newbie...

Hi everyone,

I would like to introduce myself to you: my name is Shannon Kehoe and I am the newest member on the Mount Admissions team. Over the last few weeks I have been traveling through communities in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia talking to students about coming to the Mount for university – in fact you may have met me at your school!

The Mount mobile in front of the world's largest

illuminated fiddle in Sydney, NS. (55 feet tall)

I have had an awesome time meeting new people and going new places, and I think I have more in common with some of you than you may think. Sure, I have a degree (Bachelor of Public Relations) and I have a job in my field, but I still don’t always know where I am going in life. For instance, on my first week on the road I let my GPS take me down a back road used for logging. According to Daniel (the GPS) this road was the best way from Chipman, NB to Halifax, NS. I am here to tell you that it was not the quickest and at times was scarier than the highway would have been. But I believed that the choice I had made would work out, and I was right. Forty five minutes later than planned, the Mount mobile emerged from the woods, unscathed, and I emerged a little wiser. What does this have to do with being in high school? My point is that we don’t always know where we are going in life – and you don’t have to know exactly what you want to do out of high school. Just like my GPS gave me a couple options of routes to take, university is giving you options about what you can do in life. It’s still early in the year. Take this time to learn about schools – do research and ask questions, and when you do choose a program, choose something that will interest you. The decision you make should be based on what you want to do in your life. Remember to follow your passion and to enjoy the scenery life hands you along the way.

Taking in the scenic route along Kelly's Mountain in Cape Breton

:)

I did it!!! And you can too!

Hi Everyone!

Well it was a big weekend this past weekend for me because I became an official Mount grad! Woo Hoo! Such a celebration!

'Why am I telling you this?' You might ask... well one of the big questions I got today and have received in the past is "How do I decide what to program to take in University?" There are so many cool programs sometimes it's hard to decide what will be best suited to lead you to the right career path. One thing that worked for me and that I would suggest to all students trying to choose a program, is to look at the courses offered in programs you are interested in. You don't have to stress about what you will do when you are finished if you are loving the courses you're taking. For example if you see a program with courses that really interest you, then you will enjoy them, do well, and find it easier to decide what to do with your degree. If you aren't sure, try a general arts or science degree and see what some of your favourite courses are and then decide from there.

When I look back at my choice to take Public Relations (PR) I did so because I wanted to take courses in Media Relations, Crisis Communication, Public Speaking and Persuasive writing among MANY others. The degree looked so cool I wasn't even sure what a PR person did, but I knew if it involved all those things then I would love it! =)

You can apply this lovely philosophy to ANY program!

This tip and others brought to you by the letter "M" and the "Brilliant" mind of Melanie LeBlanc!

Psych!

Hi everyone,

I'm back in Halifax this week visiting schools at lunch hour! I had the first school today and had a grrrreat question! "Does the Mount offer a degree in psychology through the arts program?" The answer is "YES!" we do offer it through the arts and science program. So come, learn, enjoy...and have no fear psych is here!

Ciao 4 now!