Questions you should ask at a college or university open day

by StudyMalaysia on April 23, 2018 | Top Stories

Questions you should ask at a college or university open day - StudyMalaysia.com

Going for an open day but not sure what questions you should ask? Are you feeling muddled by all the things you need to find out? Our checklist will set you off on the right foot.

Attending an open day is a great way to experience first-hand what a campus environment is like. This is your chance to check out the campus grounds, talk to lecturers and students, and find out more about the courses you’re interested in. But hold on—don’t get blown away by all the information heaped at you. You’ll find it easier to make a decision later if you organise a checklist of things you need to find out on that day.

So what questions should you ask at an open day? Here’s a checklist to get you started!

Questions to ask about the course	Questions related to managing your finances
What makes your programme special? What are the entry requirements for the programme? What are your application procedures? Can I apply for more than one course? Who awards this qualification? What subjects do you offer in this curriculum? What’s the assessment method for the programme? Is hands-on training such as practicum or an internship part of this programme? Is there opportunity for studying abroad? What are qualifications of the lecturers in this faculty? How accessible are lecturers and professors typically?	What are your course fees? What other expenses should a student expect? In terms of everyday costs, how much would a typical student need to survive? Do students work part-time? If yes, what jobs do they normally do? What bursaries, scholarships or fee waivers are there and how does one apply?

Questions to ask about the course

Questions related to managing your finances

What makes your programme special?
What are the entry requirements for the programme?
What are your application procedures?
Can I apply for more than one course?
Who awards this qualification?
What subjects do you offer in this curriculum?
What’s the assessment method for the programme?
Is hands-on training such as practicum or an internship part of this programme?
Is there opportunity for studying abroad?
What are qualifications of the lecturers in this faculty?
How accessible are lecturers and professors typically?

What are your course fees?
What other expenses should a student expect?
In terms of everyday costs, how much would a typical student need to survive?
Do students work part-time? If yes, what jobs do they normally do?
What bursaries, scholarships or fee waivers are there and how does one apply?

Questions to ask about your career prospects	Questions to ask current students
What's the employability record of the institution's graduates? What have previous students gone on to do after graduating? What proportion go on to postgraduate study? Do you know what past students are doing two or three years later? What careers guidance services are there? Do you organise networking or career fairs for the students?	What are the best and worst things about college/uni life, in your opinion? How have you found the course so far – what are the teaching / facilities / support / field trips like? Are some hostels better or worse than others? What advice would you give a first-year student? What are among the best food options on campus and its surroundings? How do students typically spend their evenings and free time?

Questions to ask about your career prospects

Questions to ask current students

What's the employability record of the institution's graduates?
What have previous students gone on to do after graduating?
What proportion go on to postgraduate study?
Do you know what past students are doing two or three years later?
What careers guidance services are there?
Do you organise networking or career fairs for the students?

What are the best and worst things about college/uni life, in your opinion?
How have you found the course so far – what are the teaching / facilities / support / field trips like?
Are some hostels better or worse than others?
What advice would you give a first-year student?
What are among the best food options on campus and its surroundings?
How do students typically spend their evenings and free time?

Questions to ask about accommodation	Questions to ask about the facilities, activities and things on campus
Is a place for on-campus accommodation guaranteed for first-year students? What accommodation is available off-campus? What does the accommodation cost – and what’s included in that cost? Will students have to move in and out each term? How big are the rooms? What security measures are there? Do most students stay on campus at weekends? What happens in years two and three? What facilities are there at the hostel?	Tell me about the facilities on campus Where do students do their shopping (groceries, toiletries, etc.) How do students get around on campus? Are there quiet spaces for studying? How involved are students in extracurricular activities? Which activities are most popular? What kinds of counselling or student support services are available on campus?

Questions to ask about accommodation

Questions to ask about the facilities, activities and things on campus

Is a place for on-campus accommodation guaranteed for first-year students?
What accommodation is available off-campus?
What does the accommodation cost – and what’s included in that cost?
Will students have to move in and out each term?
How big are the rooms?
What security measures are there?
Do most students stay on campus at weekends?
What happens in years two and three?
What facilities are there at the hostel?

Tell me about the facilities on campus
Where do students do their shopping (groceries, toiletries, etc.)
How do students get around on campus?
Are there quiet spaces for studying?
How involved are students in extracurricular activities?
Which activities are most popular?
What kinds of counselling or student support services are available on campus?

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Phew! That was a long list of questions, but we’re not done. Before you make a decision, here are some questions to ask yourself:

Do you like the campus? What do you like most/least?
Does the university/college have clubs and societies that suit your interests?
Does the university have sports facilities, and can you see them?
Does the social life appeal to you?
Can you imagine yourself here for at least three years?

While it’s tempting to go to a university/college where your friends are going, try not to make a decision based on that. You’re bound to make new friends and it's your life (not your friends’!), so do make the decision for YOU and you’ll thank yourself.