Information Sessions

• Provide program details. Information sessions offer an opportunity for prospective students to learn in-depth details about the graduate program, including its curriculum, faculty, research opportunities, and other relevant information. Students can gain a comprehensive understanding of what the program offers and whether it aligns with their academic and career goals.

• Clarify admission requirements. Graduate programs often have specific admission requirements, such as prerequisite courses, standardized test scores, and minimum GPA. Information sessions enable prospective students to obtain clear and accurate information about these requirements. They can ask questions, seek clarifications, and understand how their qualifications fit within the program's criteria.

• Interact with faculty and staff. Information sessions offer a chance to directly interact with faculty members, program coordinators, and staff. Prospective students can ask questions, engage in discussions, and gain insights from the people who are directly involved in the program. This interaction helps them gauge the faculty's expertise, teaching styles, and research interests, which are crucial factors in deciding whether the program is the right fit for them.

• Campus and facilities tour. Many in-person information sessions include a tour of the campus and program-specific facilities. This gives prospective students an opportunity to explore the physical environment where they would be studying, such as laboratories, libraries, research centers, or specialized equipment. Getting a firsthand look at the facilities can help them assess the resources and support available to graduate students.

• Provide networking opportunities. Information sessions often attract other prospective students who share similar interests and goals. Attending these events provides an avenue for networking, where individuals can meet and connect with potential classmates, collaborators, or mentors. Building relationships early on can be valuable throughout the graduate journey and beyond.

• Address concerns and misconceptions. Information sessions allow prospective students to address any concerns or misconceptions they may have about the program. Whether it's about financial aid, workload, research opportunities, or career outcomes, attendees can seek clarification and obtain accurate information to make well-informed decisions about their academic future.

• Showcase the program's distinctive features. Every graduate program has its unique strengths, such as specialized research areas, interdisciplinary collaborations, or industry partnerships. Information sessions provide a platform for the program to highlight these distinctive features, helping prospective students understand how they can benefit from the program's specific strengths and opportunities.

Zoom info sessions are beneficial because you can record them and link replays on your website for all prospective students to review. Be sure your replays are accessible with edited closed captions.

Some University and outside organization information sessions occur each year.

CEHD Block Party: The CEHD Block Party occurs outside Burton Hall during Welcome Week, the week before classes start in the fall. Many departments host a table to share information on their programs with prospective students and bring flyers, promotional items, and candy for distribution.

University of Minnesota Major/Minor Expo: The major/minor expo is an undergraduate fair featuring all majors and minors University-wide. This is a tabling event that usually occurs in February. Free to U of M units. Programs host a table to share information with prospective students and bring flyers, promotional items, and candy for distribution.

Career Eco Virtual Graduate School Fairs: Virtual graduate fairs with a cost to host a "booth." Fairs of interest include: Psychology, Education, and Social Work and more! Register early to take advantage of early bird rates. These fairs DO NOT have the capability to record information sessions, rather operate like chatrooms where you can give presentations and schedule info sessions. It is possible to use a screen recorder (via Vimeo) to capture you session.

View this sample (simple) marketing plan for a Career Eco Virtual Fair to get some ideas for how to promote yours. This was developed by a unit communicator for use with faculty members planning to participate in the fair.