By Marisa Russell

Assistant Copy chief

Since hundreds of students float around the Student Center on any given day, adding a few more to the mix shouldn’t be a problem. However, it can become quite an issue when it means long lines, no room to walk and a ton of parents asking for directions. “Where’s the bathroom?” and “Do you know how to get to ‘X’ Hall?” are common questions heard echoing from the atrium on Admitted Students Days, and a look at social media makes it clear that many Hofstra students are not happy about it.

While it is understandable that Admitted Student Day can cause commotion and disturbance for current students, it should not be overlooked that it is also one of the biggest reasons that prospective students choose to come to Hofstra. Many large schools host open houses, PR events, etc., but hosting an exclusive event for those planning to pursue Hofstra makes the University look that much better. Waiting 30 minutes in the omelette line may put a small damper on your Sunday morning, but there are plenty of ways to avoid the crowd. Yes, the sea of high school students can be irritating, but with every complaint, you’re hurting the future of the school that you are supposed to have passion and love for.

Being a top school in the fields of business, communications and many others, Hofstra prides itself on being successful when compared to many other nationally ranked schools. But when Hofstra students voice complaints about Admitted Student Day crowds on Twitter, Yik Yak and Facebook, they deter people from visiting, making Hofstra seem like a hostile environment before prospective students and their families even step foot on campus.

With a simple 140-character vent session about how you can’t walk quickly through the Student Center, you’re hurting your own degree. Admitted Student Day is the day Hofstra gains a large portion of the incoming class by selling the school’s abilities and success and showing off its comfortable environment. When many people commit to this school, our rank improves, and we become a school that employers want to see on a resume, versus a school that employers have barely heard of.

Deterring students from a school just because you want campus to be quiet, or you want your life to be easy isn’t fair. It’s not right to prevent others from having the same great experiences (internships, extracurricular participation, etc.) that you’ve had and appreciated at Hofstra. The more potential people you keep away from the school, the less value your degree will have, and the more you will hurt yourself in the long run, which is why you should appreciate what this school does for both prospective students and you.

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