ï»¿All The Right Moves: A university Fair Game Plan

That is approximately the number of college fairs we attended year that is last. 350 college fairs mean hundreds of brochures and inquiry cards handed down to a huge number of prospective students with countless questions. Once in awhile, someone can come by and surprise us with an unique concern. However for the part that is most, most questions will be general. Don’t worry; we do not expect you to stress concerning the next question that will make you be noticeable from the crowd. We don’t mind hearing the questions that are same as long as the questions are relevant to you. The goal of this blog is absolutely help just take less of a passive role during these university fairs. Be proactive and have actually a plan. a foolproof game plan.

The Pregame Warm-Up

The way that is best to show effort is through doing your research before the college fair. (NOTE: it is you’re preparing for; whether it’s a first date, job interview, or buying a dog, you will always get better results if you replace ‘college fair’ with whatever. It is simply commonly good practice.) Doing this research might prevent you from asking a question like, ‘Do you have a psychology program?’ A better informed question might be, ‘I see that you have a psychology program and that tons of research is happening in that department while that is a valid question. Can you please speak to me about how to get in contact with faculty who is associated with research?’ That question not only shows initiative, it also sets you apart. Boom! Instant connection made.

The Best Defense is a Good Offense

In terms of a college fair, an offense that is good suggest different things. It could suggest learning which universities will be there ahead of time and producing a top ten list of which tables you must go to. It could also mean showing up early to make sure you maximize your own time. A college fair is just a opportunity that is great get one-on-one face time with counselors who’ll be reading your applications and advocating for you. You might get a small bit more time with us if you arrive promptly. Finally, a great move that is offensive bringing pre-printed labels with your contact information, high school, graduation 12 months, etc. By doing so, that you don’t spend your time filling out information cards while having more time for asking questions. Bam! More connections made.

Rookie Go

For a few of you, these college fairs is your step that is first at college search process. If that could be the case, you will probably spend most of your energy taking brochures and filling in inquiry cards. That is totally fine and it is just as productive. You need to know that many schools permit you to contact their admission counselors directly. USC is certainly one of the schools. It is a good idea to ask anyone behind the table for a company card in the event you wish to call us at a later time once you have actually particular questions. Have a brochure home, do research and then email/phone us with more informed questions.

Final Pep Talk

Stay directly. Be confident. Maintain attention contact. Smile. Give a firm handshake. Dress well. Remain hydrated (you’ll be walking and speaking a complete lot). Be your advocate that is ownn’t make your moms and dads do the talking for you. Be friendly and shmoop.pro professional. Finally, make the most of your time and effort there. It is not just a time for you get up with friends or take freebies just. Be active while having a purpose. We have been there to help you, but finally it is up to you how beneficial you want that time to be.

Requesting Letters of Recommendations: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Asking a teacher to write that you letter of suggestion can be considered a task that is daunting. For just one thing, most of the time, you will never actually see whatever they write about you, so there is a lot of trust that switches into the process. And two, they could say no, which will make you wonder when they just didn’t have enough nice things to say about you to fill up an entire page if they were actually too busy, or!

Here, we’ll lay some tips out for seeking a letter of recommendation:

The Good:

•Ask a teacher who you have formed an association with to write you a suggestion, whose course in which you have got worked extremely difficult, and/or whose subject you are passionate about. This doesn’t necessarily need to function as teacher of the program by which you received the greatest grade. Sometimes, the best recommendations are the ones being able to truly convey the hard work and dedication a student has placed right into a class.

•Provide a resume to your recommender, transcript, and anything else that will be helpful for them to personalize your suggestion.

•Have variety in your recommenders. If you do choose to submit more than one, you should ask someone that can highlight a different aspect of your personality while we only require one letter of recommendation from an academic source for most majors at USC.

The Bad:

•Forgetting the thank you note! You recommenders invest lot of time on these letters. Don’t neglect to show them that you appreciate their efforts.

•Asking your recommender a few days prior to the due date for a letter. Remember that numerous instructors (and counselors especially) has to publish numerous letters through the Fall months, and that leaving your request until the last minute will not make them very happy.

The Ugly:

•Submitting ten letters of recommendation! Or even five, for example. Again, we just require one page of recommendation, so be aware of how many letters that are extra send. Frankly, multiple letters seldom provide any information that is fresh.

Therefore remember, give your recommenders plenty of advanced warning, ask some body whose course you’ve worked difficult in, be thoughtful in the true wide range of additional letters you submit, also keep in mind to show your appreciation!