Get quick answers to the most commonly asked questions about Wheaton Connection.
What to Bring
What should I pack for my Wheaton Connection visit?
Students staying overnight in a residence hall will need a sleeping bag, pillow, towel, toiletries, and an alarm clock. We suggest bringing several layers of comfortable clothing, walking shoes, and an umbrella. You may also want to bring spending money for the bookstore and dinner Thursday night. Weather can vary, so it is recommended that you check the weather prior to Connection as well.
What to Do
Check out the Connection Schedule for a listing of everything you can do while on campus to get to know Wheaton College.
When will there be tours of campus?
There will be four different times throughout the event for you to take a tour of campus. There are two times on Thursday afternoon/evening and two times on Friday to take a campus tour. You can also feel free to explore campus on your own – stop by the Admissions Office for a self-guided tour script.
Will I be able to visit a class while I am on campus?
Absolutely! We want you to make the most of your time at Wheaton by visiting as many classes as possible. With the variety of activities that you have to choose from during Wheaton Connection, we understand that visiting a class may conflict with other events. Therefore, we have tried to make it easy for you to visit a class by offering five different times on Friday to visit a class: 8:00 am, 9:15 am, 11:30 am, 12:45 pm, and 2:00 pm. We encourage you to visit any class of interest and visit more than one class if you can. You will receive a list of class visit options as part of your registration materials when you check-in. View a list of classes open to prospective students. Because of classroom space limitations, we do ask that only students visit classes.
Are family members and guests that come with me allowed to participate in the activities with me?
We love having you and your guests come visit our campus. There are a few events that are planned specifically for only you, the student, such as staying overnight in the residence halls, class visits and the Accepted Senior Reception (March and April Connections), but we invite all guests who come with you to participate in as many of the other activities on the schedule as they would like.
Can I schedule an Admissions Interview?
Interviews are an optional part of the application process. Unfortunately, we are unable to conduct admissions interviews during Wheaton Connections, but we would be glad to schedule an interview for you if you are going to be arriving Thursday morning before Connection or for another date. On-campus or telephone interviews may be scheduled by calling 800.222.2419 ext. 2.
Students who are living outside the United States are welcome to schedule a Skype or phone interview. Please send a request for an international interview to admissions@wheaton.edu.
What advice do you have so that I can make the most of my visit?
While you are here on campus, there will be many opportunities for you to see and experience life at Wheaton. We want to make sure that you and your guests are able to maximize your time while you are here.
Here are a few tips for making the most of your Wheaton Connection visit:
- Meet Faculty
On Thursday evening, there will be an opportunity for you and your guests to mingle with members of our faculty at the Faculty Mixer. - Experience the residence halls
If you are a student and you want to understand what life is like for a Wheaton student in the residence halls, stay overnight with a Wheaton student on Thursday night! - Visit classes
There are five times to visit a class on Friday. You are encouraged to visit any class of interest and more than one class if able (we ask that only students visit classes). This is a great way to get a glimpse of what academic life is like for a Wheaton student! - Talk to a Wheaton student
Whether you are at lunch or in the residence halls, feel free to stop a Wheaton student and ask them questions about what it is like to be a Wheaton student. You can also attend the student panel session and ask questions to current Wheaton students. Don’t worry, they don’t bite. - Attend information sessions
Information sessions on Thursday evening and Friday are a great way to get in-depth information about a variety of aspects of the Wheaton experience. - Eat everything you can
Enjoy food in our award-winning, buffet-style dining hall. Or, if you prefer, enjoy food from the Stupe Grill or Sam’s Café in our student center. Registered students and parents will receive meal tickets when they arrive, so eat up and enjoy! - Have fun and enjoy yourself!
This is your time to really explore campus, so make the most of your visit by exploring and interacting with the people and places that make Wheaton a unique place. We are excited to have you visit!
Registration
What if I need to change/cancel my registration?
To change or cancel a registration, you can contact our Wheaton Connection Coordinator, at 630.752.5205 or via email. If you have already arrived for Connection and want to notify us of a last minute change (e.g. You will no longer be able to stay overnight), please let one of our members know at one of the Registration tables.
What if I will not be able to make it until Friday morning?
No problem. We understand that not all visitors can make it by Thursday evening. Visitors who arrive on Friday can register at our Registration table, which will open at 7:30 am on Friday morning in the Coray Alumni Gymnasium lobby in the Todd M. Beamer Student Center (campus map).
Travel
What should I know about traveling to Wheaton?
- Plane
If you are traveling by plane, we recommend either renting a car or contacting a taxi company for transportation to and from the airport. Travel from the O’Hare and Midway airports to Wheaton College can take about an hour or so. Please consult our driving directions from each of the airports to Wheaton College’s campus. - Train
If you are traveling by train, you will want to take the Metra Union Pacific West Line. You will get off at the College Avenue station, which is just off of the southeast corner of campus. Walk west towards campus after getting off of the train. NOTE: do not get off at the Wheaton station – if you get off there it will drop you off in downtown Wheaton. - Car
Wheaton is a suburb about 25 miles west of downtown Chicago, so please take into account for Chicago traffic if you are driving to Wheaton College, especially from the East. Rush hour typically tends to be between the hours of 7-9 am and 4-6 pm and can add 30 - 45 minutes or more to your travel time. Driving directions >
Where can I stay if I am a visitor?
We are only able to accommodate high school juniors and seniors in the residence halls who have registered to stay overnight on campus. Because we can provide housing for one night only, please make arrangements if you need to arrive early or stay late. Any other prospective students, parents and family members who plan to attend will need to arrange for their own housing. You can view and make reservations for hotels near Wheaton’s campus. Some hotels may offer a discount if you mention that you are visiting Wheaton College.
Where should I park when I get to campus?
Parking will be available in the East Billy Graham Center and Edman Chapel lots. View a campus map.
Connection vs. Individual Visit
What is the difference of visiting during Wheaton Connection as opposed to scheduling an individual visit?
Wheaton College offers two different ways for students and guests to experience campus - individual visits and Wheaton Connection. A visitor can schedule an individual visit to Wheaton’s campus any weekday of the year. Our tours and information sessions typically occur twice a day. During the school year, students are also encouraged to visit class and spend a night on campus with one of our campus hosts. Interviews may also be scheduled during an Individual Visit. Learn more and schedule an individual visit to Wheaton.
Wheaton Connection is an event that occurs four times per year for juniors and seniors in high school and their guests to tour campus, hear special presentations from Admissions, Financial Aid, the Bible and Theology Department, mingle with faculty, visit classes, ask questions of a student panel and many other opportunities. Students have the opportunity to stay overnight in the dorms as well during Wheaton Connection. Wheaton Connection lasts from Thursday afternoon through Friday.
Questions?
For any other questions or inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact our Wheaton Connection Coordinator at 630.752.5205 or via email. For Admissions related questions or inquiries, please feel free to contact our Admissions Office at 630.752.5005 or toll free at 800.222.2419. You can also contact us via email.
Register for an upcoming Wheaton Connection >
We look forward to having you visit campus soon!
