What are university fairs? With growing globalization and increased foreign school tie-ups, if you haven't heard of university fairs organized in various schools and institutions around you, time to wake up and smell the coffee!
These educational fairs are opportunities to meet representatives of universities and converse with them about the programs their college offers.
University fairs have gained increasing traction and popularity among high schools and are arguably the best medium through which you can acquaint yourself with college courses you’re interested in. With so many universities to speak to within a short period of time, ensuring you ask the right questions to gain vital information is key!
We've compiled for you, a list of must-have questions to include in your next university fair interaction.
"Does your college have the program of my interest? What are the specifics of this particular program?"
An incredibly obvious question to ask, but yes, please start with this question. The representatives of the universities you're talking to are going to be in unfaltering, relentless sales pitch PR mode, but make sure you hear this pitch of theirs carefully and question it in a logical and realistic manner. Hunt for specifics of the program and cover smaller details of the course you’re looking at - maybe miniscule deal breakers for you.
What particulars do you look for in applications?
This question is a personal favorite of mine. Asking these people what their universities look for in applications tend to take them in a deeper, more revealing spiral. More often than not, they mention details you would have never thought of, or emphasize on one specific aspect enough for it to be clear to you that they give it much value - allowing effective alterations to your application. Moreover, if these people are reviewing your application whenever you do apply to the university, they might remember the interaction and set you up on a positive note for taking their feedback!
How does accommodation within the college look like? What is the typical rent students pay?
This question is crucial if the university you’re talking to is located away from home. Leaving a protected environment after 18 years is difficult as it is - make sure you make it easier for yourself once you move out. Knowing the accommodation rates and how the living scenario looks like beforehand is extremely beneficial because it allows for financial planning and other preparations with buffer time. Wonky accommodation is more often than not a deal breaker for most students.
Tell me more about the university facilities.
Be extremely versatile with this one, and question details important to you. This question tends to invoke more sales pitches and definitely gives levy to the representative to advertise and romanticize the atmosphere of the university - which is why be specific with your question. Point out particular aspects of facilities and ask questions which have direct answers instead of a vague spiral around. A lot of students find that particular facilities are important to them, and their availability makes college life much easier. Is the library open round the clock? What are the cafeteria timings? Are laboratories available for all years to access?
What are the employment prospects for this program?
Making sure you are financially and otherwise stable after your college course is over is important. Question employment statistics of that particular program, and hunt for reputed opportunities and their tie-ups. Make sure you ask about what students who graduated that course are currently doing. Anecdotes of previous students of the program tend to give you more perspective of how it's like in the working field. You can also research about and apply for internships in any companies mentioned in the representative's answer to this question!
( Sarah Badshah. )
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