Get ready for a sea of fresh faces and wide eyes.

On Monday, NIU will roll out the red carpet for its annual open house to try and persuade high school juniors and seniors to come to NIU after they graduate.

Crystal Worrell, NIU’s senior assistant director of admissions, said that high school students will be seen around campus Monday.

“This is the time when students, families and friends will visit NIU and decide whether or not it’s the environment their children want to spend their next four years or more of school at while in college,” she said.

Between 1,300 and 2,000 people are expected to flow into campus on Monday, Worrell said.

NIU students should not be inconvenienced when it comes to parking, she said.

“There will be parking availability in the Convocation Center parking lot [for visitors].”

Students and their families will be able to meet with representatives from admissions and different academic programs to see how things are done and what is required.

Students also may speak with financial aid representatives.

NIU students should not be alarmed when they see lots of people around campus on Monday, Worrell said.

“If students see families lost, we will just appreciate if NIU students can just direct them on the right path to what they are looking for.”

Open house activities also will include a student-led campus bus tour, residence hall visits and a general information session.