A record number of high school seniors and their families traveled from across the country to attend John Carroll University’s Fall Preview Day on Saturday, October 18, with visitors representing states from the East Coast to the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
The goal of these types of events is to offer students a glimpse into the college experience at John Carroll University. Students and families learn about academic programs, explore new and renovated spaces across campus, like the state-of-the-art Athletic, Wellness & Event (AWE) Center and our newly renovated residence halls, and enjoy a meal and snacks from Schott Dining Hall and student-run and locally-owned businesses.
“This year, we’ve seen a more than 15% increase in the number of students and families attending our admission events overall,” said Carolyn Noll Sorg, Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing. “This growth reflects John Carroll’s continued momentum as we work to enhance every aspect of the student experience, from our new AWE Center to our refreshed website and to the Gateway North project that’s underway at the front of our campus.”
The day concluded with an engaging and fast-paced PechaKucha-style presentation, a unique Japanese storytelling format featuring 20 images shown for 20 seconds each. Throughout the presentation, staff and students highlighted the five pillars of campus life at the university: In Service, Across Campus, Beyond Class, Through Community, and Around Town.
John Crowley-Buck, Director of the Arrupe Scholars Program, kicked things off by discussing how service-learning is a defining part of a John Carroll education and emphasizing JCU’s recent ranking as #4 in the nation for “Most Engaged in Community Service” by The Princeton Review.
“Service-learning works,” said Crowley-Buck. “It helps students build crucial life skills, and gain experiences that promote career readiness, intercultural growth, and civic engagement. Students in service-learning courses are statistically more likely to succeed academically and become more well informed, engaged citizens in the process.”
Following his remarks, JCU students reflected on memorable moments from their campus experiences, from Homecoming and Family Weekend to networking and career fairs to cultural organizations and other student-led initiatives. The program wrapped up with two admission professionals highlighting the perks of John Carroll’s location, including favorite student hangouts, local restaurants, and nearby museums and entertainment venues across the city of Cleveland.
“I always hear about how much my sister Liv loves JCU and how it’s like a second family to her,” said Michael Z., a senior from Walsh Jesuit High School. “I loved my visit and enjoyed meeting so many new people and putting names to faces. The community at John Caroll is special and I feel like I could grow more religiously with others as my second family.”
Preview Days, held each fall and spring, are among JCU’s largest admission events of the year. They are thoughtfully designed to help high school students envision themselves on campus and connect with the people, programs, and experiences that make John Carroll unique.
Students and families interested in learning more about John Carroll are invited to attend the University’s next admission event, Spring Preview Day, on Saturday, April 18, 2026. High school seniors can also visit campus during one of JCU’s many weekly visit opportunities. Seniors who apply by November 1 and visit JCU’s campus by February 1 are eligible to receive a $2,000 Discovery Visit and Apply Grant, which will be applied toward their tuition if accepted.
