5 Tips to prepare for an educational fair

Education fairs are a must-attend for student and their parents. Through education fairs, attendees interact with university delegates- probing and asking questions to gain clarity on universities, programs, language courses, accommodation, scholarships, and more.

As a student attending an education fair, the best exercise for you would be to research the course you want to study, the university at which the course is offered, and about the university itself.  You may talk to delegates of universities about the amenities offered, security for Indian students, campus jobs, and more. The more prepared you are with information about the universities, the sooner you will be able to discern between universities.

We share with you some tips on how you can prepare for an education fair

1. Research – It is usual for event organizers to display a list of universities participating in the fair.

1. Spend time visiting websites of Universities that catch your interest.
2. You may spend time in the process, but this exercise will help you shortlist universities with programs specific to your area of interest.
3. If this process has left you confused, you may approach a university delegate who can recommend the most suitable programs for your interest and eligibility.

2. Know your scores–

1. More often than not, questions about the admission process, university, and course eligibility are commonly asked.
2. There is a chance that you may have a question or two for the university representative. To get the answer specific to your case, be ready with your English language test scores and other competitive entry examination results.

3. List of questions- 

1. Make ready a list of questions you would like to ask the university representative.
2. Time at the fair is limited, and you want to get as many answers to your questions. We suggest you prepare a robust question list
3. A well-prepared list will help you collect information from university representatives beyond the usual FAQs.
4. You may divide your question list to include questions on –
   1. Program structure
   2. Academic requirements

4. University facilities

1. Fees and financial aid
2. Application process
3. Application process

• Job prospects

5. Question you ask may include 
6. 1. Course you seek to pursue
   2. Market representation for a graduate in your field of study
   3. Earning potential
   4. Health care and insurance, etc.

1. Show the list to your parents and acquaintance – 

1. Your parents may have questions to add for university delegates; it is best that you run your set of questions with them.
2. A friend or a family member with the experience of an education fair or overseas education is a rich repository for need-to-know questions to ask at the fair.

1. Interacting with university representatives – 

1. University representatives are important resources, and you want to use their expertise to answer questions of which there is limited information online.
2. The representatives will try to interact with as many students as possible, and hence you want to have the most important questions answered.

1. Take your time to evaluate – 

1. Take your time – evaluate the pros and cons of your course, finances, safety before deciding on a university.
2. Choosing what you study and your country of stay should not be a hasty decision. Remember that this will be your home for 2-3 years.
3. Fairs have many participating universities, and the information shared can be overwhelming to take in all at once
4. Furthermore, universities offer attractive spot application fee waivers; but that doesn’t have to pressure you to take an immediate decision.

Envision overseas organizes virtual education fairs where counselling services are offered for free. Our expert counsellors help you clear the confusion with the process of deciding on a university. We assist students by suggesting programs and universities that marry well with their interests. Students also have the opportunity to interact face-to-face virtually with university representatives and ask a question to better their understanding.

All in all, a fair can be a success if attended well prepared. With the right questions and accurate information, you will be able to seek the information you need to make the best decisions for your career.