Amanda McClain didn’t know what to expect when she arrived on campus Saturday for Baker University’s annual Junior Day.

McClain, who is a junior at Bonner Springs High School, said she visited Pittsburg State University earlier in the year, but the experience was much different.

“The students seem a lot closer here,” she said. “The college is smaller, and everyone here seems to know each other.”

While at Baker, McClain and 49 other juniors took a campus tour and participated in the academic fair where prospective students could learn more about their intended majors.

Director of Admissions Daniel McKinney said the day was successful because attendance was up from last year’s 46 participants, among other reasons.

“I think the day went very well,” he said. “I feel like Junior Day is kind of a glimpse at what Baker is. Our goal is to keep them wanting more.”

For Chad Pickett, a junior from Lenexa, it was a goal well achieved.

“I learned a lot about the school,” he said. “The information sessions helped me gain a better feel for what Baker stands for as an institution.”

Pickett, who has visited two other colleges including Pittsburg State and Southwestern College, said he wished he could have sat in on a class.

“At the two colleges I’ve gone to, I was given the opportunity to visit a classroom,” he said. “We were also served lunch and given a tour of campus while students were actually walking to and from classes.”

Even though some students think Junior Day could stand a few improvements, McKinney said the students and parents gave positive feedback overall.

“The evaluations were very positive,” he said. “The real intention of Junior Day is to help students realize their goals, and I think we accomplished that.”

Some of the more positive comments on evaluation forms were about the campus atmosphere and the student-to-teacher ratio.

McClain said she would have liked to hear more about greek life.

“I wish the students talked more about sororities,” she said. “But other than that, every question I’ve had, students or faculty have been able to answer.”

University Admissions Assistant Alli Lewis said Junior Day was helpful for many students.

“There are some students who don’t really ask any question,” she said. “Others ask tons of questions and are seriously trying to decide if Baker is the right place for them.”