Monday’s campus-wide open house was attended by 2,287 prospective NIU students.

It was the second-largest turnout since 1994 for the Columbus Day open house, said Bob Burk, director of admissions.

Kelly Clay, a junior at Lyons Township High School, began her search for colleges by attending NIU’s open house.

“I’m looking for a college that’s not too big, not too small,” she said. “NIU seems like it’s really large, but that means it could be a good place to meet new people.”

Benjamin Leff, a senior at Buffalo Grove High School, hopes to pursue a major in the arts at NIU.

“NIU is the least expensive of the colleges I’m interested in right now, and it seems like a really nice campus with great academic opportunities,” Leff said.

The open house attracted transfer students as well.

Ryan Connery, a student at the College of Lake County, hopes to receive an associate degree in science and transfer to a four-year college.

“I’m considering going to NIU because I heard it was a good business college,” Connery said. “Also, my parents went to NIU and my brother is attending NIU, so it’s a family thing.”

Prospective students can see all of NIU during an open house and talk to different offices that might not be available at other times during the year, said senior pre-sociology major Rachael Schneider.

Loretta Swanson, an undergraduate adviser for the School of Art, said open houses are a great opportunity to meet with high-school juniors and seniors.

“This is a great opportunity to tell [prospective students] about our program and our scholarships,” Swanson said.

Punchada Sirivunnabood, a graduate assistant for the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, said the organization uses open-house opportunities to let students know about internships and other opportunities provided by the organization.

“We want to let students know about the unique opportunities we offer them,” Sirivunnabood said.

NIU hosts four open houses a year, two during the fall semester and two during the spring semester.