Even if you’re in the middle of application season, it’s still a great idea to attend an MBA fair such as the MBA Tour, which has events all over the globe. MBA fairs can help you explore different schools, meet potential classmates, and learn valuable admissions tips.

Prep4GMAT will be attending the MBA Tour when it hits Boston, so if you’re going to be in the Boston area on July 30th, make sure to stop by and say hello. Here are some tips for anyone who’s attending one of the upcoming MBA Tour events in Atlanta, NYC, Chicago, DC, and Boston, or anyone who’s attending another MBA fair.

Before:

• Know who’s going and research any schools you think you might be interested in.
• Bring a pen and paper, and a bag for pamphlets and handouts (not to mention free stuff).
• Make a list of any questions you might want to ask.
• Know the schedule. Events like the MBA Tour will block out time for different informational talks.
• Make sure you’re registered and have whatever you need to get into the event.

During:

• Don’t be afraid to browse or go over to a booth that happens to catch your attention.
• Attend at least one or two of the informational talks to learn more about things like financial aid and meet potential future classmates.
• Take your time with each rep; stay and talk rather than getting the information and moving on.
• Ask questions. Even if the rep doesn’t know the answer, they can put you in touch with someone who does.
• Be selective. You don’t need to visit every school one after another.
• Sign up for the mailing lists for schools you’re tentatively interested in. It’s a great way to show interest at an early stage, and there’s not much downside.
• Take notes throughout the fair.

After:

• Write down as much as you can before you forget, including your impressions of each school and contact info for anyone you spoke to.
• Organize your materials and decide what to file and what to trash.
• Research new colleges you’ve added to your list.
• Follow up with new reps or other new contacts if necessary.