True Freshmen Sixth graders get a sneak peak at college life through UNT campus visit
Ethan Desjardins knew exactly what he was getting into when he walked into a residence hall at the University of North Texas for the first time . Or so he thought .
With roughly 20 or so of his classmates and a UNT resident advisor crammed into one of the university ’ s model dorm rooms , Ethan was a little surprised by what he saw . No TV , two small beds , a sink in the middle of the room and a considerable lack of elbow room because of the crowd .
“ I appreciated getting the chance to see a dorm room ,” said the Bettye Myers sixth grader . “ I really thought they were going to be bigger than they actually were .”
There were plenty of surprises for the majority of the almost 2,200 Denton Independent School District sixth graders that took part in UNT ’ s Future Eagles program in September . A joint initiative between the university and Denton ISD , the Future Eagles program was designed as a way to get middle school students not just thinking about college , but experiencing it firsthand during the university ’ s 125th anniversary celebration .
Each of the sixth graders from the district ’ s seven middle schools took part in the event , which coincided with UNT Founders ’ Week , ensuring that there would be plenty of buzz around the campus . Led by undergraduate and graduate students from various fields of study , the middle schoolers traversed across campus learning about UNT buildings , activities and campus life much like a high school senior taking a campus tour .
“ We wanted to make this as close to a real experience that a prospective UNT student would get when visiting the campus for the first time . And the truth is , I think we exceeded our own expectations and our sixth graders benefitted from it ,” said Mario Zavala , director of communications and community relations for Denton ISD .
Photographs by Julie Zwahr
Participating sixth graders not only got to visit dorms and chat with actual RAs , they also got to sit in on lectures and have conversations with college professors . They got to ask questions to college students passing them by on the campus greens and got to imagine themselves relaxing after class in the lazy river at the UNT Rec Center .
Tour guides answered questions ranging from the studious ( How easy is it to change your major ?) to the silly ( How many different kinds of pizza can you get on campus ?) and everything in between . And while the groups tended to be larger than a traditional campus tour group , district staff and volunteers joined the UNT students in making sure everyone felt like they were part of the group .
In fact , many of the 11- and 12-year-olds said they appreciated being taken seriously and made to feel like they belonged .
“ I really liked what I saw of the school and that everyone was so nice and friendly . I had a great time and think I want to come to UNT when I get older ,” said Kali Eddings , a sixth grader at McMath Middle School .
Participating teachers , counselors and principals agreed that the Future Eagles program was a hit with the students and will pay big dividends down the road . The thought process is that the sixth graders will ask questions about what classes they need
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