Open House
The mountains are calling. Experience life as a Bobcat and learn about the historic buildings, classrooms and labs, residence halls, and athletic facilities on our 1,000-acre campus. Meet the faculty, explore our innovative academic offerings, and learn how cross-disciplinary studies can help build an outstanding resume that leads to future success.
Attending an Open House is one of the best ways to become familiar with and experience Lees-McRae College! You will have a chance to learn about campus life, hear from a faculty member in your academic area of interest, and take a campus tour. With over 50 programs of study, 40+ student clubs and organizations, and NCAA Division II athletics, there is truly something for everyone at Lees-McRae.
Our next Open Houses for prospective students and families will take place on Saturday, March 29 and Saturday, April 26. Registration for this popular event is now open.
If you are interested in visiting campus prior to the open house, please consider attending one of our daily information sessions and campus tours. The college is typically open for prospective students and families to visit Monday through Saturday. We also offer some Sunday visits. We hope to see you on campus soon. For those unable to visit campus at this time, we invite you to take a look at one of our videos below to learn more about Lees-McRae.
Non-wildlife Majors
Check-in and Academic and Student Resource Fair
Cannon Welcome Center (formerly Cannon Student Center)
Visit information tables for academic programs, admissions, athletics, accessibility, campus safety, campus life, student clubs, counseling services, student success, and more!
Welcome and Overview
Evans Auditorium (Cannon Welcome Center)
Hear an overview of admissions, financial aid, and campus life, followed by a student panel.
Academic Overview
Evans Auditorium
Hear from the deans of our four schools:
- School of Arts and Humanities
- School of Business and Management
- School of Education and Social Sciences
- May School of Natural and Health Sciences
Academic Breakout Sessions
Various locations
Meet faculty and learn about our majors, minors, and experiential education.
Lunch
The Summit
Student Affairs and Residence Life Overview
Tufts Room (North Carolina Building)
Financial Aid Overview
Tufts Room (North Carolina Building)
Campus Tour
Wildlife Majors
Check-in and Academic and Student Resource Fair
Cannon Welcome Center (formerly Cannon Student Center)
Visit information tables for academic programs, admissions, athletics, accessibility, campus safety, campus life, student clubs, counseling services, student success, and more!
Welcome and Overview
Evans Auditorium (Cannon Welcome Center)
Hear an overview of admissions, financial aid, and campus life, followed by a student panel.
Academic Overview
Evans Auditorium
Hear from the deans of our four schools:
- School of Arts and Humanities
- School of Business and Management
- School of Education and Social Sciences
- May School of Natural and Health Sciences
Academic Breakout Sessions
Various locations
Meet faculty and learn about our majors, minors, and experiential education.
Lunch
The Summit
May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Presentation
Evans Auditorium
Elk Valley Preserve and Field Station Presentation
Evans Auditorium
Campus Tour
PROGRAMS
With 26 majors and 21 minors housed within four distinct schools, there's something for everyone.
FINANCIAL AID
Our tuition is 15 percent less than other private institutions in North Carolina, and we don’t charge more if you come from out of state.
LIFE
Life extends beyond the classroom at Lees-McRae. From clubs and organizations to leadership opportunities, there are countless ways to get involved.
How to Find Us
Address:
191 Main Street W.
Banner Elk, NC 28604
Traveling west to campus: From Boone, North Carolina, take Highway NC 105 South to Route 184 (Tynecastle Highway) to downtown Banner Elk. Turn left at the stoplight onto Route 194 (Main Street West). Admission parking lot on the left before the flagpoles.
Traveling east to campus: From Johnson City, Tennessee, take Highway U.S. 19 East to Elk Park and Route 194 (Main Street West). Admission parking lot on the right just past the flagpoles.
Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, we’re inspired every day by all that surrounds us. There are breathtaking vistas, shady valleys, and clear, gentle streams in every direction.
We have countless trails in the area—in fact segments of the Appalachian Trail and Mountains-to-Sea Trail wind through Avery County. If you’re looking to climb even higher, visit one of the local peaks including Grandfather Mountain, Sugar Mountain, or Beech Mountain.
If driving is more your speed, you can take a spin on the Blue Ridge Parkway just miles from campus. Or head over to one of our neighboring towns, such as Boone, Blowing Rock, and Linville, for a day of window-shopping or dining in style. Our hometown of Banner Elk hosts concerts, markets, and community events throughout the year, including the famous Woolly Worm Festival.
There is so much to do in the High Country, you’ll want to extend your visit for more adventures!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who can attend Open House?
We encourage rising high school juniors and seniors to attend, but all are welcome! -
Do I need to register for Open House?
Yes! Please register using one of the links above so we can plan for your attendance. -
What should I wear?
Open House activities take place both inside and outside, so we recommend dressing in layers and wearing comfortable walking shoes. Be sure to check the weather forecast before your arrival, as the weather in Banner Elk can significantly differ from the surrounding areas. -
Where can I park?
Parking is available in the Hayes lot across from the Cannon Student Center. -
Can I receive an admission decision while I'm there?
Yes! Plan to bring all supplemental items with you in order to receive an admission decision.
- Freshmen: official high school transcript, official test scores
- Transfer students: official high school transcript, official college transcript
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I can't make it to Open House, but would still like to visit. What other opportunities are there?
If you're unable to attend Open House, there are still other opportunites available to explore our mountain home. Check out the visit page for other upcoming events or to schedule a guided tour.
We're here to help!
If you have additional questions or would like to speak with someone in the Office of Admission, please email admissions@lmc.edu or call 828.898.5241.