Uni open days - how many?

[NCTDN]

So ds wants to do aerospace engineering but doesn't have a clue where he wants to go or whether he wants a campus uni or not.
The issue is that all the top ten are a fair distance from us and most will involve overnight stays. I know we can combine Bath and Bristol as they are the same weekend but is going to all ten realistic?

“A single subject talk” can tell you a lot, though. There may only be 3-4 people from the department delivering their speeches, but there are usually more hanging about plus current subject students. Having been to many, you definitely get a feel for what the department is like.

For example, we found Exeter a really strange mix of intimidating, snooty and opaque without engendering any interest in the subject , we found Birmingham wooden and dull. Conversely, the two DD has picked we found supportive, engaging, exciting and she really connected on a different level with.

I agree with @SplendidRhododendronsDeirdre
Meeting the tutors / professors can tell you a whole ton of different things very quickly - how efficient they might be, who is a good communicator and who isn't, where their individual interests lie - potentially things you can either tolerate or not, as a student

Ds knows many cities but doesn't know whether he wants a campus or not. It's true about some being described as a campus (Loughborough to me is how I define a campus) but are really more of a city uni.
With dd, she was adamant that she wanted Bristol but we needed to visit because we never been to that area at all and were very pleasantly surprised. Her insurance was Loughborough but she knew by before results day that it wasn't for her as she had grown up so much since putting in the UCAS form and she would feel trapped.
DS is certain that London isn't for him but we're heading down to Southampton so going to visit one simply to check that's what he doesn't want, as we'll have to stay overnight anyway.
We have a very busy couple of months!

There weren't any 'subject talks' at the ones I went to with dd iirc - there were talks which were about the department which is maybe more useful. But for practical subjects, the lab tours and demos set up by students you can chat to may be the most useful part of the department bit.

@SplendidRhododendronsDeirdre These people might never teach DC! They are just department reps. DD never saw the them again. As for “we”. Another issue. My DD could not get into the lecture at Exeter. Parents had to be hoofed out. Entitled parents. I’m not sure all this delving into every aspect is worth it. Most dc are happy with their unis. I think I got away lightly . However DDs were decisive and clear about what they wanted. I don’t know any parent who went to 10 unis. None.

How long ago were you/your DDs visiting unis?

I do think that it's very different from my day. I went to some open days on my own. However as a parent helping fund their next few years, I think that's it's only right we get to see the options.

When I applied to universities there were no open days. I just wandered about on my own before / after an interview, sad in the canteens and libraries, totted up how many miserable faces I saw versus happy ones and judged it by that.
I think open days are a fantastic opportunity to find out more.

I don't think that's always the case. Certainly one of the lecturers who took a main role at one of DSs open days was a reason that DS picked the uni. That lecturer has been a main influence throughout DSs 4 years. One of the others rang DS on results day (COVID year) to chat things through. They made a big impression.
A couple I have been to with both DCs the subject talks have been chaotic ,- lecturers not turning up, tech not set up, expected student reps not appeared etc. If they can't organise the big selling opportunity I don't hold out much hope for the day to day provision of services.
I think we are all trying to do our best for our DCs . Some may need more support than others. Some may have a clear idea of their future, others may need to explore options a bit more before making decisions. There is no wrong approach.

We did 7 with DD, all within a 2.5 hr drive. I think we stayed overnight for 1 because the first talk started quite early and it was in ht anyway

DD is doing 4; she did one last year so 3 to go. She has done her research online and borrowed it down; only 2 have the course she is interested snd are acredited

Campus uni near a city? Birmingham fits the bill.

We visited 11 years ago but no one giving a subject talk was teaching the options DDs took. Yes, they might but it's ridiculous to base a decision on one or two people. Some courses have lots of options so dc don't ever meet loads of the lecturers. It hugely depends on the subject and what uni. I cannot see how all lecturers are present that teach the subjects. Has that changed now?

If DC is looking at Aerospace, there's some obvious unis he should look at. Depending on likely results of course. Just make a shortlist and see what suits. It's not like there's 100 to look at!

There were certainly a lot of lecturers around when I did open days with my DS. Several involved with the actual talk, and many more available to talk to during the day. It was different with my DD as she was looking at a more interdisciplinary subject, involving different faculties and schools.
To be fair, I think if a department/subject can't organise the proverbial piss up in a brewery when they are meant to be selling themselves to prospective students, I would be doubtful about the overall running and proficiency of the course.

I don't entirely see what organization has to do with it. However it was totally overwhelmed with parents and DC when DD went to Exeter. She found it virtually impossible to speak to anyone. Should they have made more lecturers attend? Maybe. A few talked to students (after parents had been removed) but if their specialism is not what you choose, you are not taught by them. You do get a feel for a uni but lecturing is far more of a guess. Plus for many subjects it's 6-8 hours a week! Hardly anything. Some lecturers are obviously great but many times dc choose an option without any idea what the lecturer is really like. It varies a huge amount from into uni and course to course. There's no way all dc can speak to someone who definitely will teach them as plenty don't attend open days.