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Education fairs -10 tips for success
It is now possible to research international postgrad programs without leaving your home or office desk, thanks to the wonder of the internet. But, given the investment of time, effort and money that a postgrad degree demands, there is still no substitute for meeting university representatives face-to-face. So how do you go about making the best of an education fair on the day? Tim Rogers and Ross Geraghty find out.
The physical appearance and composition of education fairs vary enormously. Some feature booths allowing for interviewing space and large-scale marketing material for individual universities. These events tend to include more than 50 institutions and are held in either dedicated conference centres or large hotels. Others are much smaller in nature, often promoting a small number of universities specialised in a single academic area or at a specific level, such as graduate or research.
1. PREPARE
Education fairs have been an established way of meeting universities and their representatives for many years and they are a format that works. Therefore, any education fair you attend will have hundreds of others just like you, potential students interested in pursuing further qualifications, so expect the fair to be busy. You may have to wait your turn to talk to the universities you want to, and there could well be a queue of other hopefuls in front of and behind you. This means that your time with the university representatives may be limited. So make the best of the time you do have with them. Start your preparation by narrowing down your search of universities you think you might like to attend for your postgrad degrees. Look at international rankings such as the Times Higher – QS World University Rankings, research individual school websites and draw up a list of programs which suit your individual goals, abilities and circumstances. If you have time, order a print copy of a university’s prospectus and bring it along on the day – it shows you have done your homework and mean business.
2. FOCUS
Don’t waste your time on universities or programs that aren’t right for you.
Don’t waste your time on universities or programs that aren’t right for you. Look at the content of the program, the entry requirements and don’t forget to check out how much it is going to cost. Use your time at the fair to talk to representatives of those universities that are realistic options instead of hanging around in queues for the big names that may simply not be the right match for your skills, ambitions or bank balance. You’re about to invest your own time and money into a qualification and an institution – make sure it’s the right one.
3. THINK INTERNATIONAL
Future employers tend to have a more sophisticated approach and look for qualifications from recognized and respectable institutions.
Postgrad education is becoming increasingly international and an international education is great to have on your resumé. However, future employers tend to have a more sophisticated approach and look for qualifications from recognized and respectable institutions. Make sure the institution you’re interested in is well known, and in both a national and international context, is recognized and accredited. League tables can help you narrow down your search. These tables rate universities in different countries according to factors such as the quality of research, how international their staff and students are, the amount they spend on their libraries and how employable their graduates are.
4. MAP OUT QUESTIONS
Develop a list of questions in advance so that you don’t miss anything vital on the day. Priorities will vary from person to person, but you may want to consider asking about teaching style, mix of students, the background of academics, specializations, future career options and the cost of living. Listen in when others are asking questions of the university representatives as well. You may be able to overhear some valuable information you hadn’t thought of finding out, or you may be able to cross a question off your list, thus enabling you to ask another one when it’s your turn.
