As part of their recruitment efforts, some U.S. colleges and universities send representatives abroad to meet with prospective international students at education fairs.
These events give students and families the opportunity to learn about both the U.S. higher education system in general and about specific colleges and universities, says Alfred Boll, branch chief for EducationUSA, a global network of international student advising centers supported by the U.S. Department of State.
Yash Rupani only applied to one U.S. school — Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida — and he first learned about the institution at an education fair when he was in high school in India.
The Embry-Riddle representative at the fair “tried to explain a lot of stuff to me regarding the programs, regarding what they do, how many campuses they have, how their programs work and everything, which got me really interested in them,” Rupani says. So interested, in fact, that he recently completed a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering at the school.
[Discover how to make the most of college admissions fairs.]
Before attending an education fair, sometimes called a college fair, students should create a list of “vital questions” they want to ask, says Cesar Flores, director of international recruitment at Arizona State University–Tempe. Students can seek input from their parents when creating the list, he says, since Mom and Dad will probably have questions too.
To help prospective international students begin their list of questions, U.S. News spoke with admissions and recruitment officers from several U.S. schools — Arizona State, Embry-Riddle, Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey and the University at Buffalo–SUNY — as well as experts from organizations that host fairs — the Council of International Schools and EducationUSA.
Here are 30 smart questions these experts say students can consider asking at an education fair. This list doesn’t contain all the questions students can ask — it’s just meant to help them get started.
Academics
(Students can fill in the [blank] with the academic subject of their choice.)
— What opportunities would I have if I majored in [blank] at your institution?
— What differentiates your program in [blank] from programs offered at other U.S. universities?
— My favorite subject in school is [blank]. How can that translate into a major at your school?
— What happens if I want to change my major?
— What happens if I need to return home for a semester? Can I suspend my studies for a period of time and then come back?
[Learn the do’s and don’ts for talking to a U.S. college recruiter.]
Cost and Financial Aid
— How much am I going to pay each year to attend your school?
— Can you tell me about about other fees and costs in addition to tuition?
— What kinds of scholarships for international students do you offer?
— Are there separate deadlines for admission and scholarship applications?
— What percentage of the annual cost to attend your school can be covered by scholarships?
— What percentage of international students receive financial aid, and what is the average aid amount?
— What opportunities are there for on-campus employment?
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Applying
— What kinds of qualifications do international students who are admitted to your school have?
— Can you give me an idea of how the visa and I-20 processes work?
Career Preparation
— What are some examples of internships held by students majoring in [blank] at your school?
— Is there someone at your school who will help me find an internship?
— How will your program in [blank] help me achieve my career goals?
— What career services are available for international students at your school?
English Language Support
— Are English as a second language, or ESL, courses offered at your school?
— I’ve already taken an English language exam such as the TOEFL or the IELTS. Are there any programs at your school that will accept my score?
— Does your school offer an intensive English program?
Additional International Student Resources
— How many international students are there at your school, and where do they come from?
— What kind of support services and programming are offered to international students at your school?
— What kind of academic advising is available for international students?
— Is tutoring available?
[Explore U.S. News data on international students at U.S. colleges.]
Other
— What is the trip like to get to campus from my home country? Will someone be there to pick me up at the airport?
— How would you assess safety on campus, and where can I get more information?
— What student clubs are available?
— Would it be possible for me to create my own student organization? What is that process like?
— What housing and meal plan options are available?
It’s also okay for students to approach representatives from colleges or universities they aren’t familiar with and ask for a basic overview, says Katryna Snow, assistant director of higher education services at the Council of International Schools.
She says, “A student shouldn’t be afraid to say, ‘I’ve never heard of you. Tell me more.'”
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More from U.S. News
4 Ways to Shine During an International College Fair Interview
3 Ways to Evaluate a Global University Without Visiting
Student Tips: Earning an Undergraduate Degree Abroad
30 Questions to Ask U.S. College Representatives at an Education Fair originally appeared on usnews.com
