Navigating Education Fairs: A Quick Guide for Students and Parents

Education fairs are a major attraction for students, parents and educators. The fairs provide information on educational, and by extension, career opportunities and possibilities across multiple destinations or in some cases, a specific country or region.  Attending the fair signals a pivotal stage in the lives of many. Whatever the reason, attending an education fair is often the first step in preparing for the change to come.
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A common observation made at the fairs, is a high degree of information overload experienced by attendees. Fairs are busy and filled with a variety of options for students, parents and educators to ponder over.  It can be overwhelming to the point that persons may miss pertinent information or even opt out of visiting some schools. The following are a few tips to help persons attending education fairs maximize the opportunity to the fullest.

1.      Develop some questions ahead of time to ask representatives. Have about 2-3 initial questions to help decided whether the school could be potential option.  Here is a sample of what those questions could look like: 

• I’m interested in _________.  What programs do you have that are related to this field?  -  if they don’t have any suitable programs, then you know you can move on to the next booth.

• What are the admission requirements for the program? -  this would allow you to know whether you possibly meet the minimum subject and grade requirements.

 

• How can I get more information about this program? – representatives may be collecting contact details to reach out after the event.  This is a great way to maintain contact as well as receive information and updates. 

2.      Conduct research prior to the fair – It is beneficial to have some information on the schools and/or destinations prior to the fair. This would allow you to have some familiarity regarding schools, offerings etc. Therefore, it is important to conduct some research prior to attending the fair. You may already have a list of potential schools identified (provided they are attending) as well as possible programs. 

3.      Have a game plan to cover the showcase- fairs vary in size and in duration. It is recommended to have strategy to ensure you can cover as much ground as possible. For fairs two days in length, you can consider splitting the number of schools to be covered. For one-day fairs, it is best to conduct research prior in order to maximize your time at the fair. Should information about the fair be available before hand, that is always helpful.

Written By
Sheena Alleyne MA
Higher Education Consultant
The Student Centre