FAQ: Where to start?  What to do?

The Welcome Session begins at the celebrated Auditorium Theatre (50 E. Congress Parkway: map). Following the Welcome Session, our campus is open for you until 3:00pm.

We are expecting large crowds at Open House this year. When you arrive for the Welcome Session at the Auditorium Theatre, you can expect to find long lines of people waiting to get into the theater. The Welcome Session is the only way to start the day; it is where you will receive your program of events. There will be room for everyone, and the lines will move quickly, we promise!

Here are some helpful notes to help you plan for the big event:
 

"Where's the Schedule of Events?": Due to last-minute additions, the schedule of events will not be available until the welcome session. But no worries—there will be plenty of time to fully explore everything you wish to discover!

Self-Guided: Open House is a self-guided event spread throughout our extensive campus. There will be trolleys available, but please be prepared for walking.

Outside the Classroom:
In addition to attending presentations for our majors and concentrations, tour our popular Residence Centers, learn about leading our student organizations, view what's on display in our eight student galleries, stop by the bookstore, and pick out student art at ShopColumbia.

Food and Drink: We will have lunch available within easy distance from the sessions of your choice. As well, the neighborhood is home to dozens of dining options, suitable to satiate all appetites.

Travel: First time on campus? Review directions or a parking map. For those staying downtown for the night, we offer hotel recommendations.