A university fair is a great place to meet representatives from various universities at the same place. This is an opportunity to get your questions about graduate careers, study options, course content and university admissions answered. To get the most out of this experience, there are 10 tips you should follow.
1. Research the Study Options
It’s a good idea to research the available study options before you attend the university fair. This will let you benefit from the university representatives’ knowledge and get solid advice from them instead of just asking about information that you could have learned with a simple online search.
2. Prepare Your Questions
Take some time while researching the universities’ study options to write down a few issues or questions to discuss with the representatives. They may be a simple checklist of topics, like tuition fees, application deadlines, admission requirements or course structure. However, you may have some very specific questions that need to be answered. Try to cover five key points, at most, and focus on the issues or questions that are most important to you.
3. Check the University Fair Schedule
Check the final schedule, a few days before the university fair. Write down the names and times for any panel discussions or presentations you want to attend. You should also make a note of any presentations you may be partly interested in, in case a presentation is cancelled.
4. When You Arrive Orient Yourself
Take a few minutes to get oriented when you arrive. Look at the fair’s floor-plan to find the locations of the schools you want to gather information from. This will make it easier to find them because you can plan your route beforehand.
5. Keep an Open Mind
It may be useful to come to a university fair prepared and clearly focused on certain schools. However, you also need to be open to other possibilities and study options. You may find that your ideal course is available in a different form, which you had no knowledge of. You may also find a niche scholarship that would be perfect for you in a country you may not have considered. Remember every university there will be keen to recruit students from your region and may potentially have something to offer.
6. Talk to Other Candidates
One of the main reasons people attend university fairs is to meet admission representatives from various universities and other experts. However, you should take some time to talk to other prospective students as well. You should also listen to the questions they’re asking. After all, these people have done their research too, they may be a good source of inspiration or information.
7. Watch Your Time
Don’t get so caught up in a conversation that you miss opportunities. Set an alarm on your phone or watch to warn you that the event is almost over. By watching the time, you can ensure you have time to collect the information you need. There will be announcements by event staff telling you when a panel discussion or presentation is about to begin. Make sure to listen for these announcements.
8. Consider Bringing a Guest
Most university fairs encourage prospective students to bring along a guest. This can be helpful since your companion can remind you of the questions you wanted to ask, help you focus on your key objectives and help you sort through the information you receive and recall what was discussed when the event is over.
9. Bring Paper, a Pen, and a Bag
Make sure you bring a pen and paper. Then you can make note of the things you need to follow up on later. Don’t try to remember everything, there will be too much to take in. You’ll also need a bag to carry the vast collection of prospectuses, information packages , free promotional plastic pens and other stationary that you’ll receive from the various universities.
10. Be Ready to Sell Yourself
Remember the university representatives at these events are looking for top applicants.Pay careful attention to your appearance, the impression you make and how you introduce yourself. You also want to consider the quality of the questions you’re asking, which can leave either a positive or negative impression on the representative.
After the fair finishes, the real work begins. You need to sort through your notes and the various information you collected. This will help you follow up on any opportunities that interest you and reach your final decision.
