Top Tips for the Best Open House Experience

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Welcome to Open House Season! As you plan your campus visits this fall, be sure to make a gameplan before hitting the road! From doing some basic research and prepping questions to planning your day and following up with your top choices, here are some tips for how you can design your Open House visit to make sure you’re getting exactly what you need from each university.

Do Your Research

Whether your top choices are locked in or you’re still figuring out which program is the right fit for you, doing your research will only help you on your educational journey. A university’s program listings are a great place to start to learn all about program content and admission procedures, and future student web pages can give you a better view of the whole student life experience. Find the schools you want to connect with, find out when they are hosting their Open House events, and build off your research with a campus visit – IRL!

Ask Big Questions

Besides the chance to see the campuses you may call home, Open House gives you an all-access pass to the people behind the programs. Be prepared with a list of questions designed to maximize your time with school representatives and really get a feel for what the university has to offer you. Here are some sample questions to get you thinking about what you could ask during program sessions and student life fairs:

• Can this degree get me to where I want to go?
• What are the admissions requirements?
• What work opportunities or hands-on learning experiences do you offer?
• How can I customize my degree?
• Why do students choose to study at this university?

Get the Campus Community Vibe

Imagining yourself at university is one thing, but actually visiting a campus could be when you’ll know if it is the right place for you. Take a campus tour while you’re at Open House to get an in-depth look at, and feel for, the campus and surrounding neighborhood.

Stay Connected

Keep the conversations going! An easy way to stay connected is through social media – Laurier has its own UCommunity Discord server where you can chat with student ambassadors about their own Laurier experience and make friends with other hopeful applicants.

A university Open House is an incredible opportunity for students to have access to faculty, staff, and current students. Laurier welcomes you and your questions - both big and small - to our upcoming Open House Events.

• Milton Open House October 25
• Waterloo Open House November 9
• Brantfiord Open House November 16