Once you apply to a university it’s likely you will be invited to an applicant day. If you’ve already been to have a look around on an open day, it gives you a chance to see more of the University, and if it’s your first time visiting you will get a speedy introduction.
Applicant days are good if you are seriously considering that university after you’ve visited once, or if you’ve applied but haven’t managed to visit yet.
Facilities
Facilities will be important to different people. You might want to check out the gym, or you might want to see how the labs at one university measure up to other universities. Whatever your priority, make sure you visit it and are happy with it.
Course ‘ins and outs’
An applicant day usually goes into more detail about your course than an open day, so you can get a good understanding of what you’re letting yourself in for! This is an important element – make sure you’re happy with all of the content for the length of your degree, and if you don’t understand something or don’t know what you’d be doing on a module, ASK.
Information stands
At most universities they will have lots of information stands you can visit. Whilst going to each one may be excessive, have a good look around. You will not get another opportunity to have all services and departments under one roof again. You may want to know how many graduates got jobs after studying your course (careers), if there’s a rowing or rugby club (clubs and societies). Or you may want to know what support is available for disabilities or learning differences. The information stands are there for you, so try to visit them before you go home.
Meet lecturers, current students and other applicants
You will meet the lecturers who teach your course and students on the course at the moment, so ask them any questions – that’s what they’re there for!
Second opinion
You may see things in a different light if you have already visited the university once – an applicant day gives you a chance to revisit the things you didn’t get chance to see, or something you weren’t sure of. The more open and applicant days you go to, you may also start to build up an idea of what’s most important to you, so that you can prioritise these areas.
Make the most of your day, wear comfortable shoes (you’ll probably do a lot of walking around for tours etc.) and hopefully you will see yourself studying there J
Considering University? 