Career Services 

How to get the most from a Graduate School Fair

Graduate School fairs are planned with the idea that it can be helpful to first year students, sophomores, juniors and seniors. Explore your options! 

Before a Graduate School Fair:

• Research graduate schools that are of interest to you.
• Review graduate school literature before meeting with a representative.
• Prepare questions to ask of the representative(s). Practice out loud - it helps.
• Know yourself:
•  Identify specific experiences where you have demonstrated your strengths.
• Presenting your skills with specific examples will make you a stronger candidate.
• Know why you want to be admitted to a specific graduate program.  If you do not know why, they won't either.

During a Graduate School Fair:

• Make a good first impression:
• Make immediate eye contact when introducing yourself.
• A firm handshake will give the recruiter a good first impression and  you will be off to a good start.
• Remember the representative's name; if not, casually refer to their nametag.
• Smile and be polite - enthusiasm is an important quality.Dress business casual - ratty jeans will not make the right impression.Body language can often speak louder than the spoken word:
• Do not fidget or play with your hair.
• Do not rock from side to side.
• Do not look around when talking or being spoken to.
• Do not chew gum. 
• Communication is critical!
• Listen carefully to what the representative has to say.
• Be prepared to write down important information for future reference
• Avoid using filler words such as, "like", " You know."
• Speak with confidence.
• Provide your critiqued professional resume or offer to send a resume as a follow up to your conversation.
• Ask for a business card or write down the representative's name.  It is okay to ask what the application procedure is. You want to make sure you fill it out correctly.  
• Explore all your options! 
• Speak with graduate school representatives you may  not have considered before
•  Take the initiative and engage in meaningful conversation with the representative(s).
• Ask for focus area of graduate program
• Research field experiences and options in the program.
• Ask for financial aid information. 

After Graduate School Fair:

• Send a thank you letter it is appropriate and it can bring attention to your name.
• You can send an initial or additional resume with your thank you letter again pointing out your strengths.
• You may call to make sure your application is complete.
• When calling, be prepared and know/practice what you are going to say.