When can I check out Univerisities and TAFEs?
Each year in June, August and September, tertiary institutions open their doors to the public to showcase the amazing and unique features they have to offer including courses, scholarships, student services, facilities, accommodation etc. Open days are a real buzz with lots of activities going on including live bands, BBQs, competitions, information sessions, art displays and drama performances.
Open Day Upsides! If you are in yrs 10 – 12, it is a great opportunity to be able to attend Open Days as you will be able to gain a better understanding about the courses or career areas you are interested in; compare facilities and services between institutions which will help you during preference time; speak directly to a lecturer or current student in the faculty you wish to study with; find out about scholarships and also view on campus accommodation if the institution has these facilities. Further, attending Open Days will prepare you for courses you may apply for that require you to undertake an interview as part of the selection process.
Open Day Downsides: For students living away from institutions, it can be expensive to travel to and from the event and also pay for overnight accommodation. Some solutions include: calling the institution to see if they will partially fund your travel and even lunch for the day.
The University of Melbourne provides cheap train tickets to students who travel from rural and regional areas and Swinburne University can provide a travel subsidy and free lunch passes. You may also consider carpooling with mates; checking out which other institutions are open on the same day and finding out if your school is taking a bus there. If you can’t get subsidised travel or carpool with mates/ school you could contact your local Rotary or Lion’s Clubs and ask if you could apply for funding. It’s worth a try!
2012 University and TAFE Open Days are a great source of information as attendance at these provides the opportunity to speak to staff and see facilities. (If you plan to apply for a course requiring an interview, folio presentation or audition as part of the application process, attendance at Open Days really is essential). Open Days generally run from 10am to 4pm. Dates for your diary are as follows:
- Sat 23 June – Holmesglen
- Sun 24 June – Victoria Uni and TAFE
- Sat 4 Aug – Monash Uni (Berwick, Gippsland, Peninsula)
- Sun 5 Aug – La Trobe (Albury Wodonga); Monash (Caulfield, Clayton, Parkville)
- Sun 12 Aug – Australian Catholic Uni (Melbourne); Deakin (Warrnambool); Melbourne (Parkville & Southbank); RMIT (Uni and TAFE)
- Sun 19 Aug – Deakin (Geelong campuses); La Trobe (Bendigo); Swinburne (Uni & TAFE)
- Sun 26 Aug – Australian Catholic Uni (Ballarat); Ballarat Uni; Box Hill Institute; Deakin (Melbourne Burwood); La Trobe (Melbourne Bundoora)
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF TERTIARY OPEN DAYS Try the following:
- Get hold of an Open Day Guide (careers room or websites eg http://www.vtac.edu.au/opendays.html or www.monash.edu.au/openday, or www.openday.unimelb.edu.au). Be there at the right time for information sessions.
- Allow sufficient time for your visit; two hours or so would be wise.
- Speak to staff about courses that are of interest to you. Write questions to ask beforehand.
- Get a student perspective - speak to students studying courses that interest you.
- Collect information/brochures.
- Ask about industry placements and work experience in courses that interest you.
- Ask about international study opportunities with the courses being considered.
- Consider transport issues; is the campus accessible from where you live? If you need accommodation, have you looked at onsite/is it available, or are you looking at renting privately in the area? (Attend BSSC Accommodation Expo too)
- Check the environment where you will study; will you be happy there for three/four years?
- Consider the facilities/clubs offered for you course at your preferred institution.
- Consider visiting other country campuses, especially if you think you won’t obtain a high enough ATAR for a metropolitan campus. ATAR’s for country universities are generally lower. They often offer more personal assistance, accommodation, and a lifestyle which will suit some students.
Be aware that if you plan to apply for a course involving an interview/folio presentation as part of the selection process (eg design courses) you may well be asked what you found of interest about the course at Open Day. Attendance is therefore vital.
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