George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.
More than 5,000 prospective students, family members and guests stepped onto George Brown Polytechnic’s campuses on Saturday, October 24, for the annual Fall Open House, creating a vibrant and energetic day of exploration, discovery and connection.
Across the St. James, Casa Loma, and Waterfront campuses, future learners could discover programs, tour facilities, meet faculty and current students, and get the information they need to confidently plan their next steps toward their educational and career goals.
Exploring programs, pathways and future possibilities
Open House offered visitors a firsthand look at how George Brown can help make their future goals a reality. Representatives from each faculty were on site to answer questions about programs, career pathways, and industry opportunities, while teams from admissions, financial aid, and many other student services shared resources to support future students’ success.
Attendees toured classrooms, attended information sessions, saw specialized labs, and learning spaces, gaining valuable insight into the hands-on, career-focused education that defines the George Brown Polytechnic experience.
“Choosing a post-secondary pathway is one of the most important decisions a learner can make, and Open House gives future students the opportunity to see themselves at George Brown,” said Janene Christiansen, Registrar and Associate Vice-President, Strategic Enrolment at George Brown Polytechnic. “Whether they were exploring programs, speaking with faculty, receiving application support or connecting with our students and staff, attendees gained valuable insights to help them make informed decisions about their future. We were thrilled to welcome so many prospective students and their supporters to our campuses.”
A campus experience brought to life
From the moment visitors arrived, campuses buzzed with activity. Music, entertainment, and hands-on experiences brought the campus experience to life, featuring live DJs, photo booths, faculty-led demonstrations, and interactive activities that created an engaging, welcoming atmosphere for attendees and their families.
The highlight for many was the chance to connect directly with faculty, staff, current students, and alumni, offering a glimpse of the energy, creativity, and community they can expect as learners at George Brown in downtown Toronto.
Investing in student success
Open House was designed to do more than help prospective students explore their options. It also provided practical support to help them take the next step towards enrolment with confidence.
Throughout the day, recruitment and admissions teams offered on-site application support, providing visitors with personalized guidance and answers to their questions. To help reduce financial barriers, George Brown distributed 619 Ontario Colleges Application Service (OCAS) vouchers, enabling eligible applicants to have their application fees waived when applying to George Brown programs.
Guests also had opportunities to invest in their future through financial awards and tuition support. Visitors applying to a program were entered into draws for four scholarships worth up to $2,500 each, for a total of $10,000 in scholarship funding. In addition, prospective students who applied to a George Brown program beginning in September 2027 became eligible for a $5,000 tuition prize draw.
Together, these initiatives help make the path to post-secondary education more accessible while reinforcing George Brown’s commitment to supporting students from their first exploration of a program through enrolment and beyond.
A community effort
The success of Open House was made possible through the hard work and dedication of the George Brown community.
More than 550 employees, student ambassadors and volunteers contributed their time and expertise to deliver a welcoming, informative and memorable experience for visitors across campuses.
A special thank you goes to Olena Shklar, Manager, Domestic Recruitment, Conversion and Entry Advising, and to the entire recruitment and entry advising team for their leadership, planning and co-ordination of this year’s event. Their efforts, along with contributions from faculty, staff, student volunteers, and partners across the institution, helped create an exceptional experience for thousands of prospective students and their supporters.
Missed Open House? Your future starts here!
There are still plenty of ways to explore what George Brown Polytechnic has to offer.
Whether you're interested in full-time studies, continuing education, online learning or flexible learning pathways, George Brown can help you find the program that's right for you.
