FARMINGTON — For seven Fridays this fall, high school seniors visiting the University of Maine at Farmington will receive tours and interact with faculty, coaches and staff over lunch.

For the second year, Fridays at Farmington, provides a window into what campus life is like. The program has been successful, Eileen Reading, associate director of admissions, said.

Three open houses are held, including one last Saturday for prospective students and parents, but the opportunity to ask questions is not as personalized, she said.

A campus visit is planned in the spring for accepted students. Groups of 10 tour the campus, attend a class and lunch, and meet other new students.

“We wanted to duplicate the opportunity for those considering UMF,” she said.

About 85 students have made plans to visit on one of the Fridays, which extend through Nov. 21. They receive a campus tour provided by admission work-study students or ambassadors who spend the day interacting with the prospective students.

An online sign-up form provides the student an opportunity to express their educational interests along with any sport interests.

Faculty members and coaches are invited to lunch with the students according to the interests they expressed, she said. The faculty is introduced and they sit at tables specifically designated for those interested in early childhood education, business, psychology, secondary education.

“It’s surprising the number of questions asked,” professor Theresa Overall said.

When only Quinn Pickett of Boothbay Harbor sat at the table for secondary education, three ambassadors majoring in secondary education, joined him and Overall.

“When Quinn said he couldn’t decide on English or social studies, we were quick to tell him there was an option that would cover both — humanities,” she said.

Pickett said he likes the campus and found it “homey.”

Friday was the first visit to a campus for Kay Hamilton, a senior at Waterville High School, and her mother, Jill Hamilton. She’s preparing to apply to schools, she said.

“I’ve heard so many good things about UMF,” she said. “It’s not far away, and I’m more interested in a smaller group. It’s not so overwhelming.”

Carson Hope of Worcester, Mass., and her mother, Carol Hope, came to check out the school. It looked good online, she said.

Pickett, Hamilton and Hope were all part of a tour given by Shawna Oliver from Sydney.

“They asked a lot of questions,” she said.

When Hamilton asked about the distance from the Sydney-Waterville area, Oliver said, “It’s the perfect distance. You can go home all the time, but you don’t have to.”

Oliver told the group how she first went to a school in Boston, because she didn’t want to attend the same school her twin sister was going to. She transferred to UMF this year and is happy she did, she said.

“It is a really friendly campus,” Reading said. “Accepting and friendly, that is the essence of the campus community that extends over to the Farmington community,” she said.

abryant@sunjournal.com

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