Congratulations on being selected as a candidate for the University of Connecticut's Higher Education and Student Affairs Master's Program! We are excited to have you join us for UConn HESA Interview Days. Below you will find information to assist with your planning and preparation for Interview Days. If you have specific questions that are not addressed below, please contact Elizabeth Ajagbe for assistance.

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As you prepare for Interview Weekend and are eager to find out more about life in UConn HESA, we welcome you to add us on Snapchat! Each Tuesday, a HESA student will be taking over the HESA Snapchat to share their day with you. Add us now to follow all of our adventures!

 

We also invite you to join the private Facebook group for all invited candidates called UConn HESA 2020 Interview Day Weekend.

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Elizabeth Ajagbe, Graduate Assistant for the UConn HESA program

Ask me about: interview schedules, assistantship preferences, transportation, housing accommodations, meals, and general questions
Contact me at: hesa@uconn.edu; 860-486-8760

All candidates must complete the following forms by the indicated deadline:

Before Interview Days

Assistantship Site Interview Preference Form: February 3rd, 2020 9 AM

Candidate Transportation and Housing Form: February 3rd, 2020 9 AM

Food Accommodations Form: February 3rd, 2020 9 AM

After Interview Days

Assistantship Site Preference Form: February 28th, 2020

Interview Days Feedback: March 2nd, 2020

 

Schedule of Events

Click here for a tentative schedule of events. Please note that check-in will take place between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM on Sunday, February 23. Interview Days activities will finish by 5:15 PM on Monday, February 24. Sunday will primarily consist of information sessions, while Monday is reserved for your interviews. Visit maps.uconn.edu for the Storrs Campus Map.

Meals

The following meals will be provided: Sunday brunch, Sunday dinner, Monday breakfast, and Monday lunch. All other meals will be on your own. Current students, UConn Catering & another local vendor, will be working to provide meals, and will do their best to accommodate dietary needs. If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions make sure to indicate this on the Food Accommodations form.

Interview Days Attire

Sunday attire is casual and Monday attire is business. Sunday will involve a lot of sitting during the informational session as well as an optional tour around the main part of campus. Sunday is also meant for you to gain more insight about the program in a number of informal spaces. We suggest packing extra layers and checking the weather forecast as you pack. Consider bringing an extra pair of comfortable (and warm) shoes or boots to wear if you’ll be exploring campus or taking a tour, especially if we’re expecting snow or rain. You can change into other shoes once you’re inside. There will be space provided where you can store personal belongings during sessions and interviews.

Interview Days “Buddies” and Facebook Group

We know there’s a lot to consider when looking at graduate programs and preparing for Interview Days. Current UConn HESA students have volunteered to serve as Interview Days “Buddies” and will be in contact with you. Do not hesitate to reach out to this individual as you plan for your trip to UConn. The role of this individual is to serve as a point of contact for you as you prepare for the weekend and have any questions about campus/program life or what to expect and how to prepare for the overall weekend. Some of you may have more than one point of contact as you will also be paired with a HESA host. Please keep in mind a buddy is based on demographic information and majors and hosts are simply based on availability. While we try to overlap if possible, it does not always happen this way. Additionally, we have set up a private Facebook group for HESA candidates. This site will be available for you to ask questions, receive updates, and coordinate with other candidates for shared hotel rooms if desired. The group will close on Monday, February 24.

The UConn HESA program can assist with transportation to and from Bradley International Airport and the Hartford Train/Bus Station on Saturday, February 22; Sunday, February 23; and Monday, February 24. If you need to book a flight, train, or bus reservation on Tuesday, the HESA program can provide a shuttle on Monday to an airport hotel or a hotel near the train station. There are a number of hotels that surround Bradley International Airport that provide a free shuttle service to the hotel. Shuttle service provided by the program will be on a limited basis and confirmed and finalized after the Candidate Transportation & Housing Form is due. For this reason, it is important you provide accurate information upon submitting your form. This will ensure shuttles are offered during peak arrival times.

After the shuttle times are released, if candidates make any changes to their travel plans, they will be expected to do so according to the provided accommodations. However, if an emergency should arise, please contact Elizabeth.

Driving

There is ample parking available on campus if you choose to drive here on your own. Please consult UConn's directions and parking website and the UConn Parking Services website for directions, maps, and parking information. We recommend you park in North Garage, which is located near the UConn Vistor's Center, Jorgensen, and near Gentry where you will check-in. The address for North Garage is 2152 Hillside Road, Storrs, CT 06269. You will need to take a ticket upon entering the garage; however, we will validate your parking so there will be no cost to you. If you arrive on Sunday, you will check-in at Gentry. If you arrive on Saturday, your HESA host or another current student will make arrangements to meet you.

Air Travel

The University of Connecticut is located approximately 45 minutes from Bradley International Airport (BDL), located outside of Hartford. This is the most convenient airport to use. The HESA program will release a shuttle schedule to help transport you to and from this airport.

Pick-up times will be Saturday and Sunday. It is important to try and finalize your travel itinerary by the form due date so that your arrival is factored in to the official shuttle schedule. 

Your return flight should be scheduled for Monday after 6:00 PM.  If you are unable to identify an evening flight, and the afternoon seems to be your only option on Monday please call/email Elizabeth at (860) 486-8760 / hesa@uconn.edu to discuss your options as this may limit your interview options.

If you would like to arrange for your own transportation to/from Bradley and campus, the airport has car rental facilities on site. You may also wish to utilize Uber or Lyft, but keep in mind that rates are a bit higher than that of a metropolitan area. Lastly, you are welcome to consult the Bradley International Airport website, http://www.bradleyairport.com/ for more information.

Train/Bus Travel

Those traveling by train or bus should plan to arrive at the Hartford train and bus station, approximately 40 minutes from campus or the Storrs bus stop which is located on campus. Visit http://www.hartfordtransit.org/ for more information about train and bus travel in Hartford.

Your return trip should be scheduled for Monday after 6:00 PM. If you are unable to identify an evening train or bus reservation, and the afternoon seems to be your only option, please call/email Elizabeth at (860) 486-8760 / hesa@uconn.edu to discuss your options as this may limit your interview options.

There are a number of options for those needing overnight accommodations during UConn HESA Interview Days. These options include staying with family/friends, a current student (HESA host), in a shared on-campus room, or at a local hotel. Although we will do our very best to accommodate your first choice, we cannot guarantee a specific type of housing for any candidate. Assignments will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. Please submit the Candidate Transportation and Housing Form no later than Monday, February 3.

HESA Hosts

A few of our current HESA students have volunteered to host candidates in their home. Current students serving as Assistant Residence Hall Directors live in on-campus apartments while others live in the surrounding areas (within a 30 mile radius). Arrangements may include sleeping on a sofa, air mattress, or floor with sleeping bags. If assigned to a HESA host, candidates should communicate directly with their host to determine specific accommodation. The hosts will also help to make sure that you arrive on campus for all events and interviews.

Area Hotels

Candidates will be responsible for making their own arrangements and will be responsible for all charges. The Inn on Storrs is located less than 10 miles from campus. A shuttle will be provided for candidates who stay at the Inn on Storrs and need transportation to and from campus. If you are flying into CT , The Inn on Storrs is likely the best hotel option and will allow you to access direct transportation from and to campus. If you would like to make reservations at the Inn on Storrs, please contact them directly at (860) 423-8451 or visit their website. If speaking with them directly, let them know you would like to make a reservation under UConn HESA  in order to take advantage of our reserved rate of $126.50 (INCLUDES ALL TAXES AND FEES). This reserved rate is only available until Sunday February 2nd. Other hotel options are available in the surrounding area, but require candidates to provide their own transportation.

If you are flying and arrive late on Saturday and/or have a flight on Tuesday morning, a number of airport hotels offer free shuttle service to and from the airport.

To reduce hotel expenses, you may choose to share a room with another candidate (or two). Candidates should use the Facebook group to coordinate sharing rooms with another. If you do not have Facebook, please let Elizabeth know and she can post for you. You will still be responsible for all charges and the two (or more) of you will need to work out the payment options up front.