You know you want to advance your career prospects and think a graduate degree might be the way to do that but don't know where to start.

Good news!

The best way to get in the know about the 200+ programs offered at Wayne State University is to attend the Graduate Fall Open House Wednesday, October 14 at 4 p.m. If you have never attended an open house (much less a virtual one in the midst of a pandemic), you might not know how best to prepare. But we can help with that, too. Here are five tips to make the most of your time.

Do your research

Check out the event webpage for a running list of attending programs and the agenda. Decide in advance which programs interest you so you can choose the specific sessions to attend. Then, spend some time reading up on the programs to learn the basics.

Prepare questions

It's easy to be a wallflower during a virtual event, but you came to get answers! Now's the time to convey your interests and express your concerns.

Ask about campus culture, community partnerships, the best things about pursuing a degree in Detroit, internship opportunities and career prospects. Is Wayne State a place where you can see yourself flourish?

Consider attending the student panel as one of your breakout sessions. While we won't be meeting in person, you still have the opportunity to ask current students about the Wayne State experience.

Many programs have their own funding opportunities and application requirements, separate from those of the Graduate School—ask about these, too!

Be prepared to answer questions

College representatives may ask what you're looking to get out of a graduate degree, what piqued your interest in Wayne State and potential career aspirations. Having answers to some of these questions can help representatives better understand how to help you. 

Think ahead and follow up

Ask for a direct contact in case you think of more questions after the event. Check application deadlines and keep in mind that in light of the continuing effects of the coronavirus pandemic, application fees are waived on all graduate applications submitted for Winter 2021 and Spring/Summer 2021.

Finally, ready your remote work space

This may seem like a no brainer, but getting the most out of any virtual experience means "attending" from a distraction free environment and making sure your technology is ready to go. The event will take place via Whova, which can be accessed via the app or desktop. You must set up a free account with Whova in order to particpate, we recommend doing this prior to the event to familiarize yourself with the interface. A link to the event will be sent out prior to October 14. Once you have a Whova account, all you have to do is click on the link and you'll be in!