By Heather Monahan
Assistant Features Editor
Eighty percent of college students stay within a three- hour range of their home, said Thomas Iwankow, associate director of admissions. However, the Bona Bubble is home to students from more than 30 states.
The newly enrolled students at St. Bonaventure this fall, both freshman and transfers, come from more than 21 states, according to Iwankow.
Although faculty representatives aren’t sent out to all of those states, Bonaventure manages to draw students from out of state by name recognition of the university.
“Out of state people heard about Bonaventure so many different ways,” Iwankow said.
Andrew Metoyer, a junior finance major from Dallas, Texas found out about St. Bonaventure from a teacher at his high school who had previously taught in New York City.
“He sent many students, including two of his sons, to Bonas,” Metoyer said.
Family members are also a source of promotion for the school.
Jonathan Marquez, a senior sociology major from Los Angeles, Calif., learned about St. Bonaventure from his aunt, who lives in Syracuse.
Although Marquez said he’s glad he came to Bonaventure.
“St. Bonaventure is a great college, and I’m glad I ended up staying here,” he said. “I don’t think I’ll ever find another place like this one.”
Iwankow said athletic recruitment is also a big draw for out-of-state students.
Alexandra Paz, a sophomore biology major from Miami, Fla., was recruited for the Bonaventure swim team.
“The coach sent me letters and emails and eventually called me,” Paz said. “I came to visit on a recruiting trip. That’s really what made me decide to come.”
Iwankow said another way students find out about Bonaventure is through their own personal research.
“A lot of students do their own self research,” he said. “You just have to follow up with them and stay on top of communication.”
Aakash Patel, a junior biology major from Palm Harbor, Fla., found the school when he was searching medical programs. Iwankow said this is not uncommon.
“We have some really well known programs,” Iwankow said. “The St. Bonaventure-George Washington University (School of Medicine B.S/B.A-M.D. 4+4 Dual Admissions Program) is very popular. We have kids from all over the country apply for the program.”
Patel said after narrowing down his options for medical school, the George Washington program at Bonaventure was the most attractive.
“Having come to the school during the interview, it seemed much friendlier and welcoming throughout the whole interview process,” Patel said. “The personal interactions provided a much more inviting experience than many of the other schools I visited.”
Angeline Pham, a junior biology major from Chantilly, Virginia, also came to Bonaventure for the George Washington program.
“I found out about St. Bonaventure through my cousin, who is in the George Washington program,” Pham said. “I visited campus during the interview process.”
Iwankow said interactions with various individuals on campus during visits are a big selling point for the school. Faculty members and admission coordinators are readily available to answer any questions during student-led tours, so prospective students get a full experience when they visit campus.
Unfortunately, getting out- of-state students to campus for their first trip can be the hardest part.
“The farther away they are, the less likely they are to visit,” Iwankow said.
However, Metoyer came to visit campus before he committed.
“I first visited St. Bonaventure at Spring into Bona’s and fell in love with it,” he said.
For students who can’t come visit campus before orientation, Iwankow said the admissions staff will do anything they can to make their interactions positive.
“We’ll do phone interviews over Skype or Facetime,” he said. “If we need to, we’ll show them around campus that way, carrying a computer while we walk around.”
Many times, Iwankow said, the campus sells itself.
“The campus is so nice that I felt like I’d really love to come to school here,” Paz said.
While the trip to school is long for many out-of-state students, most have no regrets about choosing a school so far from home.
“I honestly like to be far away because I like the diversity,” Metoyer, who takes a five-hour flight home for breaks, said.
Pham agreed the differences between home and school is something she enjoys.
“I like experiencing different atmospheres from my comforts back at home,” she said.
Patel also agreed he has no regrets about coming to Bonaventure.
“Home is nice, but coming here for school was a great choice,” he said.
Metoyer summed up his experience at Bonaventure perfectly.
“I’m now a Bonnie at heart, and I’m glad I came here.”
