As many of your older students are starting to hear back from their university choices, they may also be invited to applicant days at universities. These are another chance for students to explore a university before making their decisions based on the offers they have received. Many students think that if they have already attended a universities’ open day they do not need to go to the applicant day – however going to both can be extremely useful.
What is the difference between an applicant day and an open day?
The main difference between an applicant day and an open day is that students are invited to applicant days once they have received offers from that specific university. Whereas an open day is open to everyone whether they have made an application to that university. Typically, students would attend open days before making their applications through UCAS and then use the applicant days as an option to visit the universities they have received offers from. In short open days are great for researching students’ options and applicant days are for deciding which university would they like to make their firm or insurance choices.
Does anything different happen at these events?
This can vary from university to university. An applicant day can be much more course specific for a student seeing as they have now decided what course they are applying for. Many universities will host numerous taster lectures and sessions for a student’s chosen subject on the day. Its also a great opportunity to look at the student services and accommodation as well. Even with applicant days being online staff from student support, accommodation and all courses will be online to answer any questions students have. In general students will have the same opportunities as they would of at an open day but with some additional features as well.
How can students make the most of their applicant days?
We would recommend that students attend all the applicant days they have been invited to – especially as they are all being ran virtually. This is when they can ask in depth questions about the course content, structure, modules, placement opportunities and more. It can help inform their decision making and allows them another chance to get to know the universities and whether they can see themselves studying their undergraduate degree there. They can also take the opportunity to ask questions to current students. Whilst we cannot speak for all universities, at City we make sure that on all our course specific chats we not only have academics but also student ambassadors who study those subjects. These students can give their insights into what it is like to study these courses at City. Many universities are running their applicant days in similar ways. As with open days it’s good if students come with specific questions in mind to ask at these events.