The letter arrived… Now what?
Admitted Student Day is where “I got in” turns into “I can actually see myself here.” It’s not just another info session — it’s a real inside look at the University of Southern Maine.
Talk to the people in your major, get all your questions answered, and spend a day finding out what Husky life feels like. This spring, we’re hosting three events so you can show up however works best for you: online on April 9, at the Portland campus on April 11, or the Gorham campus on April 25. Take a look at what’s ahead.
At a glance
USM Senior Bridgette Toland and Liz Stafford from the Admissions team break down what Admitted Students Day is really about. No spoilers — but there may be a surprise or two in store.
Meet the people behind the place
At some point during Admitted Student Day, something shifts. The University stops being a website you’ve been scrolling, and starts to become a real place — one that’s a lot less intimidating once you’ve got some familiar faces in it. No matter how you show up this spring, you’ll leave knowing more people than when you arrived.
1.
Meet your major
This isn’t a sit-down presentation — it’s a space full of faculty you can actually walk up and talk to. Both April 11 in Portland and April 25 in Gorham include dedicated time with faculty from every undergraduate major, so whether you’re locked in on a concentration or still weighing your options, you’ll find someone worth talking to.
2.
Hear from leadership
Each event kicks off with a welcome from President Jacqueline Edmondson, Provost Adam Tuchinsky, Dean of Libraries Zach Newell, and all of USM’s academic deans. These are the people who will shape what your time here actually looks like — and you’ll have met them before your first day of class.
3.
Connect with current — and future — Huskies
Not every important conversation today happens in a scheduled session. The student ambassadors showing you around, whether that’s a walking tour in Portland or Gorham, or a virtual walkthrough on April 9, are there to answer the questions you might not ask an admissions counselor. And the admitted students alongside you are navigating the same decision. They’re not just fellow attendees — some of them will end up in your classes, your friend group, your college stories. It happens more than you’d think.
Come with questions, leave with answers
College comes with a lot to figure out, and not just for you, but also the people supporting you. Financial aid, housing, advising, health services — the to-do list can pile up fast. Each Admitted Student Day event is designed to ease the load. It helps to come with questions in mind, but the day has a way of surfacing ones you didn’t even know to ask.
1.
Connect with departments across campuses
At both in-person events in Portland on April 11 and Gorham on April 25, the resource fair brings together staff from across USM so you can have conversations about the things that matter most: financial aid, housing, advising, health services, student engagement, athletics, career support, and more.
Joining us online on April 9? You’ll still have the chance to connect with staff and ask questions during the Zoom session.
2.
A space for parents, families, and supporters
While students take a break for Pingo (more on that shortly), the guests you came with have their own dedicated panel to ask about campus life, resources, and how to best support you through the transition. It’s the same honest conversation, just tailored to the people in your corner.
3.
Before you head out
At the end of the day, everyone gets back together for a final Q&A with deans and faculty. Consider it a catch-all for everything you might still be wondering — the question you forgot to ask during Meet Your Major, the thought that popped up over lunch, or something that might’ve been sitting in the back of your mind all day.
Why it’s more than a campus tour
Sure, you’re here to learn about majors and housing. But the parts that will stay with you aren’t always in the presentations — they’re the first glimpses of connection, fun, and belonging that make campus life start to feel real.
1.
Pingo
It’s exactly what it sounds like: Bingo, USM‑style, complete with prizes (hence, Pingo). At the on‑campus Admitted Student Days, students break off from their families and guests for an hour to play together — it’s a low‑stakes, slightly silly way to shake off nerves and start connecting with future classmates. And it’s often the moment when the campus starts feeling like a community.
2.
Campus tours with student ambassadors
No scripts or canned speeches here. Just campus tours led by student ambassadors who actually go to USM. They’ll show you their favorite lunch spots, study secrets, and what campus life looks like after hours.
Whether you join us online or on campus, tours are part of the experience. The April 9 Zoom session wraps up with a live virtual campus tour led by student ambassadors, complete with real-time Q&A.
At the in-person Admitted Student Days, students rotate through walking tours in two groups so no one misses out. If you’re in Portland on April 11, you can keep the day going with a 3:30 p.m. tour of Gorham — and if you start in Gorham on April 25, you can hop over to Portland for an afternoon tour, either on the METRO Husky Line (the same bus students use) or with a quick drive.
3.
Lunch with fellow Huskies
Yes, it’s lunch. Nothing groundbreaking there. But it’s also the first time you’re in a room full of people who are in exactly the same spot you are. Grab a tray, pick a table, and bond over that one mutual friend from the town over (Maine’s small like that). Conversations flow, and soon enough, strangers turn into familiar faces.
4.
Campus-hopping adventures
The Portland and Gorham campuses sit 11 miles apart. Finish your day on April 11 with a 3:30 PM Gorham tour — or have it swapped on April 25 for a 3:30 PM Portland tour. See what pulls you in: Gorham’s classic New England college feel, or Portland’s walkable downtown full of restaurants, arts, and city energy.
Pick your path: Three ways to sign up
Ready to take your first step towards becoming a Husky? Here are your three options — pick the one that fits your schedule and curiosity.
Join April 9 Online
6-8 p.m. via Zoom
A quick 90 minutes with leadership, key department reps, and an optional live virtual tour where you can ask your questions. Perfect if travel’s not an option or you want to test the waters first.
Join April 11 in Portland
9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Free parking (Surrenden Street garage). Walk through the urban campus, meet faculty and future classmates, and feel downtown Portland’s energy just steps away. Optional Gorham tour after.
Join April 25 in Gorham
9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Free parking. Explore the residential campus, picture dorm life and green spaces, and get that classic New England college feel. Optional Portland tour after.
Read the full schedules for each day and pick your path.
Ready to show up?
Meaningful connections with faculty, advisors, peers, and our community are what help you grow and thrive — personally and professionally. Admitted Student Day is where those relationships begin. It’s your chance to show up, meet the people who’ll shape your time here, and get a feel for the place.
You’ve made it this far, now’s your chance to see how it fits. We’ll see you there.
