Last Sunday, the Office of Admissions hosted its second of three Fall Preview Days for prospective applicants. The multiple Fall Preview Days marks a shift from Brandeis' previous method of having one large fall open house and one small preview day. In an e-mail to the Justice, Luigi Solla, associate director of Admissions, said that the goal of restructuring Fall Preview Days was to recreate the "intimacy of the [preview] program" by organizing days with smaller groups rather than one large event. Solla said that in the past, the annual Fall Open House had generally received favorable feedback, but the smaller preview days have received extremely positive reviews. According to Solla, attendees said that the smaller program "helped them to get a genuine sense of the small, academically and socially passionate community that [Brandeis is]." Solla said that by "breaking down the traditional large-scale" fall open house into three smaller Fall Preview Days, Admissions hopes to create a "casual setting" where visitors can speak with faculty, students, and staff while still being informed about admissions, academics, campus life, and financial aid.

Solla said that, until this year, Admissions would host one main fall open house for high school seniors on Columbus Day with a smaller preview day in November for both high school seniors and juniors. In addition to creating smaller events, Solla said that by having three separate dates, Brandeis became has made Brandeis more flexible to the schedules of prospective students. The dates of the program -Oct. 10, Oct. 24 and Nov. 21 -provide students with more options to visit Brandeis than in past years past. Solla explained that as a result of the three options, Admissions is expecting over 300 more total visitors versus in comparison to previous years.

According to the Fall Preview Days' schedule on the Admissions website, the day begins with registration at the Carl and Ruth Shapiro Admissions Center followed by a residence hall showcase in Massell Quad. Shortly after, Dean of Admissions Mark Spencer welcomes prospective students and their families with opening remarks at Sherman Function Hall, along with an information session about admissions by Director of Admissions Jennifer Walker, who also takes questions from both students and parents regarding admissions, campus life and financial aid.

During last Sunday's opening remarks, Spencer greeted visitors and explained why he choose Brandeis, saying, "This is a very passionate place." He went on to say that students and faculty have great enthusiasm, and Walker explained to students what makes Brandeis unique. Prospective students were then led on campus tours before attending the Brandeis Community Panel, where Brandeis students elaborate on campus life and also answered questions. Students were then invited back to the Shapiro Admissions Center for a reception, which gives them the chances to speak with members of Brandeis faculty.

The reviews for the restructured Fall Preview Days have been very positive, according to Solla. He said that Admissions received comments that which showed that a smaller program made the Preview Day more comfortable for prospective students.

At the ending reception, Leo Gefter, a high school senior, said that Fall Preview Day and Brandeis were "up to and above" his expectations. Helen Voloshin, another high school senior, said that the day had been very informative and helpful. Debbie Sternklar, who accompanied her daughter to Fall Preview Day, said that being able to talk to "so many people" including students, faculty and staff, was "excellent." Gefter, Voloshin, and Sternklar said that their questions about Brandeis were answered and that the overall program went smoothly.