Educational fairs are the perfect opportunities for you to provide more accurate information to students interested in enrolling in your college or university.
An educational event allows you to conduct a presentation where you can highlight the great things about the educational establishment you’re representing. Aside from providing information, you’ll be able to answer questions from students interested in your school.
Since you’ll have a stand at the fair, you’ll have more time to speak with the attendees. You can address the pressing questions of students, their parents, teachers, and other people regarding your school, courses, and other things they want to know more about in relation to the institution you’re representing.
All these will allow you to generate leads and attract more potential students from various walks of life, which will benefit your college or university in many ways.
Common Questions Participants Ask During Educational Expos
One crucial element of preparing for an educational event is knowing how to best answer any question you may be asked.
Providing clear and accurate answers that satisfy the students and parents can be the final push they need to choose your college or university. It will help persuade them to put your school on the top of their list if they are still narrowing down their options.
On the other hand, providing dishonest and inaccurate responses will hurt your chances of recruiting new students. Moreover, it will impact your school’s reputation, which can have lasting effects that can be hard to correct or overcome.
If you are preparing a list of questions you want to be sure you can answer satisfactorily during your next educational fair, don’t forget to include the ones below:
1. What do your students like about your academic institution?
This is a question many college fair attendees often ask, particularly those who have not yet researched your school thoroughly.
When you are asked this question, take it as a great opportunity to explain what makes your college or university unique.
Talk about your school’s values, teaching strategies, events, and everything that makes you stand out. Make sure you also share testimonials from your current and former students.
You can share some from your website and social media channels. However, add several ones that are not easily seen online to add a touch of authenticity to these testimonials.
2. What programs do your school specialise in?
This is one of the easiest questions you can answer during the fair if you know the ins and outs of your college or university.
Students who haven’t chosen a particular course or major yet want to know which of your programs are popular among learners, have the most remarkable curriculum, modern equipment and facilities, and produce successful graduates and professionals.
When students are impressed with one or more of your programs, your chances of having them enrol in your college or university become higher.
If you can explain in detail and highlight the programs or majors students are inquiring about, you’ll also be a step closer to signing them up.
3. What are the general entry and specific program requirements?
This is another question that you can answer easily if you go over your marketing materials.
You should know the general entry requirements for incoming students, such as having a certain GPA, SAT or ACT score, passing the admissions interview, and submitting reference letters.
You can check the brochures you have or your school’s website to check the requirements for specific programs. For instance, if the student is interested in a drama or music course, they may have to pass an audition.
Although you can consult your materials to answer some of the requirements-related questions, show your professionalism by knowing the general prerequisites all incoming students should meet.
Sharing these with the attendees also lets them know if they need to get help with preparing these requirements.
4. What other fees and costs do students have to pay?
During the event, you will likely be asked questions about the course fees students have to pay when they enrol at your college or university. Again, you can check your brochures and website for the details.
However, the students (and their parents, if they are helping out) won’t only pay for tuition. There are other fees they have to pay, such as lab, library, admin, and textbook fees.
The students and parents will appreciate knowing all these beforehand to check if they can afford the overall cost.
You would also do well to give the attendees an idea of the cost of living they can expect when they study abroad.
5. Can students apply for a scholarship or financial aid?
Studying in a prestigious college or university in another state or country can be expensive. As such, expect attendees to ask questions about scholarships and financial aids your college or university provides.
Be prepared to provide details about these, particularly the requirements students have to meet to qualify for them.
Keep in mind that even if applicants can afford to study abroad at a prestigious college or university, they will appreciate any discount they can get so that they can use the extra money for other things.
6. What can students expect in terms of campus security and housing options?
Since you are recruiting international students, you have to assure them (and their parents) that they are safe inside the campus and have a place they can call their home while they are studying in a different country.
When you are asked this question, explain what security features students can expect inside the campus. This can come in the form of tall gates, CCTV cameras, and 24/7 patrols by security guards.
If your college or university requires first-years to live inside the campus, make sure you explain these to the students. If they can choose among different options such as residence halls or apartments, discuss these as well.
Make sure you provide as many details about all these to give the students and their parents peace of mind that they will be safe and have a home when they choose your school.
7. Can students get help with internships and finding jobs?
Students also need assurance that they won’t encounter hardships when they need to join an internship program as part of their course.
Make sure you discuss the ways your college or university can help students find great internship opportunities.
Also, provide details about services your career centre offers to students who need part-time jobs.
Don’t forget to talk about your college or university’s career counselling services and the job fairs you hold to help graduating students get a head start on their job applications.
During the educational expo, be prepared to answer more questions from the attendees. As such, do your homework thoroughly so that you can achieve all the goals you set for joining the event.
Ryan Beford
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