This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Pitt chapter.
Grad school application deadlines are coming up, and it is crunch time to decide which schools to apply to. One of the major parts of the decision and application process is attending an open house for each school. Through an open house or campus visit, you can learn a lot about the graduate program that you are interested in and decide if the school is the right fit for you. It is also when you will probably make your first impression on the admissions committee. Here are some tips to help you get through it successfully:
- Contact the school 2 to 3 weeks before you would like to visit. Find out which days they offer campus visits, lunch with current students, and tours. The admissions office can often recommend hotels that are close to campus.
- Try to go to an Open House when many students will be visiting at the same time. There will be student and professor panels. In addition, you can size up your competition and see how you compare to other applicants.
- Make an appointment to meet with one of the admission committee members if possible. This is a great way to ask questions and to get to know the admissions committee better before your interview.
- If you are visiting a campus on a day other than the Open House, ask the admissions office if they can put you into contact with one or two current grad students. See if you can get lunch or grab a cup of coffee with them. They can tell you what actually being a student is like and give you advice for the application.
- Read as much as you can about the program. You will be able to ask better questions and show the professors and admissions committee that you are really interested in their school.
- Dress professionally. Business casual is good, and save the suit for the interview. Dress pants or a pencil skirt with a button down or sweater will make you look mature and put together.
- If there is time during your visit, plan to meet with several professors. Search the program’s website and look for professors who are doing research or work that you are interested in. Send them a short email that includes your name, current school and major, why you would like to meet with them, and what you plan to talk about. This gives the professor enough information so that they are not completely clueless about why you are requesting an appointment. If they are unable to meet with you in person, ask if you can speak with them by phone.
- It is great to meet as many people as possible. The professors and students you meet may have a say in the admissions decision.
- Definitely send a thank-you note to each person you meet with. These can be emails, although I always like to write handwritten thank you notes. You want to leave them with a great impression.
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http://www.human.cornell.edu/c…