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Open day opportunities

Last Updated 17 March 2010, 12:38 IST

 You’ll find out more about clubs, societies and social options at different universities by checking out union notice boards and campus newspapers than you will just by listening to the union president’s speech.

Check out the halls of residence. You might feel silly focusing on the standard of bedrooms on offer, but you will be living there for a year or more, so it’s worth it. And remember to ask whether the accommodation you see is of a similar standard to other options — some universities have a couple of luxury hotel-style halls and others that look more like prison cells. Have a look around the libraries, sports facilities, students’ union, IT suites and shops, cafes and amenities on campus, too. And don’t forget to look at the surrounding town or city that you might be living in for the next few years.

Open days can also be an opportunity to boost your chances to get into a particular institution. While there’s no need to dress to impress, it’s worth grilling admissions experts if you have the chance — they might divulge whether there is any flexibility in the required grades, when A-level results come out, for the course you are applying to.

Pick the brains of current students, not just the brainbox whom the university has selected to give a talk or campus tour, but any students you see. While the speech-giver will probably be someone who aced first-year exams while simultaneously playing 19 sports at a national level, having a chat with Average Joe who’s lounging around in the campus cafe can represent your best chance to get a really honest verdict.

An especially good contact to try to track down is someone already studying the course you want to apply for — they will be able to give you the low-down on the tutors, facilities and teaching, as well as the workload, and the way in which the course is taught and assessed. If you have the opportunity, try to attend a sample lecture or tutorial during the course of the open day.

It’s a good idea to prepare a list of questions before you turn up, so you don’t forget anything, but in any case, ask any current students you meet if you can swap emails or Facebook details. That way, if you do decide to apply, you’ll have someone extra to contact for help on the actual application process.

And don’t worry if your parents insist on turning up, they won’t be the only ones, and if you can get them on side now, they might be more receptive when you go chasing them for cash (for crucially studious reasons, of course) in the future.

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(Published 17 March 2010, 12:38 IST)

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