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 […]

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. 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 – 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.

5. DON’T OVERLOAD UNIVERSITY REPRESENTATIVES – The university representatives will be pleased to meet you, after all that’s why they came to the fair themselves, but they can’t devote the whole event to you. This is where your preparation is key. Make sure you prioritise your questions so the ones you really want answered are the ones you ask first. Then, if you have time to ask a few more, that’s a bonus. Don’t spend the whole time talking about yourself. Only offer information about your background when asked. If you have certificates with you, keep them in your bag until they’re needed, and take notes if it helps. You’re there to find out about the university so make sure you use your time wisely. Ask them for as much relevant information as possible and you may also be able to keep in touch with them or one of their colleagues if you have further questions after the fair.

6. DON’T JUST FOCUS ON THE UNIVERSITY REPRESENTATIVES – An increasing number of universities also bring alumni to fairs. These individuals have lived the experience and more importantly they’ve survived it, so they are in a good position to provide valuable insight into all the pros and cons of the university experience. Ask them what they studied, how they found the school environment, what extra curricular activities they were involved in, and also ask them about the value of the qualification they did. You don’t just have to ask them about the particular university they attended. They’ll be more than happy to talk to you about postgrad education in general and how it’s helped them in their professional development and career opportunities. They may also know of some good sources of additional information. Make the most of their knowledge.

7. FUNDING – If financial aid is a primary concern, make sure your research has established which institutions offer financial aid and which don’t. Fees vary hugely by subject, institution and country. Also consider the cost of living related to the institution you’re interested in. Can you take out loans or offset some of the costs by working and studying? Each country has rules concerning students’ ability to work, so you might want to find out whether the course you’re interested in is in a country that allows you to raise some of the costs for your period of study through part-time employment.

8. USE THE INFORMATION SESSIONS – There are usually a number of activities at education fairs organised around visiting the attending universities. Fair organisers offer expert seminars focusing on the mechanics of studying abroad, such as scholarships and financing your education, application tips, visas and career prospects. These are great opportunities for extra information on some of the more general aspects of studying abroad and have some of your concerns addressed by specialists in the field. In some cases, sample lectures are showcased to give you a flavour of what studying abroad is really like.

9. EVALUATE – Trust your instincts as much as your research. Make sure that you assess the people you meet – are they interested in you and your questions? Can they answer those questions easily and authoritatively? Do they seem professional? Meeting people face to face like this is as much about you making a judgement as it is about them providing you with relevant and comprehensive information.

10. FINALLY – Make sure you relax and enjoy yourself. Choosing to pursue graduate study can be a big decision but it doesn’t have to be a stressful one. Take your time to think it over, attend a range of education fairs and enjoy meeting other people who are in the same situation as you.

Notes

The QS World Grad School Tour, the most prestigious Masters and PhD Fair, will visit Bucharest on Saturday 20 march 2010. To get your free invitation visit www.topgradschool.com

About QS

QS provides full-spectrum guidance for higher education and career opportunities, supporting motivated individuals around the world to progress towards their future goals. Through our exclusive events, publications, research and interactive web tools, we link undergraduate, graduate, MBA and executive communities around the world with recruiters and education providers. Our communities include: topuniversities.com, topmba.com, topgradschool.com and global-workplace.com. The highly diverse QS team consists of over 140 individuals from five continents. Our team includes internationally recognized experts in the higher and business education arena. QS operates globally from offices in London, Paris, Stuttgart, Singapore, Shanghai, Sydney, Boston, Washington DC, and Johannesburg.

About the QS World Grad School Tour

The QS World Grad School Tour offers a unique opportunity for potential graduate candidates to meet admissions officers of the world’s top universities face-to-face at venues around the world. Now in its tenth year, the Tour will be visiting 61 cities in 37 different countries in 2010.