How to make the most of the SOAS Applicant Day
An Applicant Day is an opportunity to visit campus and see if SOAS is the right place for you. We asked current students to share their experiences attending one and what advice they have to make the most of it.
If you have received an offer to study with us this September, congratulations! You will also have been sent an invitation to our SOAS Undergraduate Applicant Day. This is a chance for you to meet lecturers and students, find out about accommodation and take a campus tour. Ahead of the day, we asked current SOAS students Aliza, Masami and Zahra about their experience attending one at SOAS. Here's what they said:
Take part as much as you can and ask lots of questions
“My advice to anybody hoping to make the most of an open day is to participate as much as you can. Make the most of student ambassadors - they’re there to help. Ask different ambassadors questions to learn about a variety of experiences and subjects. Ask your lecturers and tutors any questions you have about your course. Take it all in when you’re on a campus tour. Try and envision yourself as a student on campus - can you see this happen? Most importantly, have fun! Open Days are really useful in getting a taster of the uni experience, so enjoy the experience." Aliza, BA History with Arabic
"My main advice is to talk to the student ambassadors. They have a breadth of knowledge and will share their experiences at SOAS. I went on a campus tour with a student ambassador who was very informative, and they gave a good review." Zahra, BSc Economics
"I encourage you to talk to the Student Ambassadors, who will be there to answer your questions and to give tours of the campus. The SOAS Student Ambassadors made me feel welcome by answering my questions about SOAS openly and thoroughly. I also had that with the department staff through the chat box on the online seminar. This gave me a clearer direction for my next steps." Masami, BA East Asian Studies
Go to a taster lecture
"My experience at the open day allowed me insights into what studying a subject at SOAS would really look like for me. I was very pleased at the quality of teaching - something I instantly picked up on. Despite it only being a taster session, I already felt as though I belonged in the class. The taster sessions were really intriguing and really offered a glimpse of what studying at SOAS would be like. I was able to attend a wide variety of taster sessions, ranging from Law to Mandarin.
Coming to SOAS for the first time just felt right. I felt in place instantly, and I had a feeling that this would be the place for me.
The SOAS Open Day helped me close in on my degree choice - something I had struggled with prior to attending the event. The History taster lectures educated me on histories that I was not aware of, and I hadn’t thought that these could be taught at the university level. It was due to the specialisation and focus on Asia, Africa and the Middle East at SOAS that attracted me. I was really intrigued by the diverse specialisations of SOAS - these were histories that I would not be able to learn elsewhere. Further to this, it was the Open Day that opened my eyes to incredibly rare degree choices that were available at SOAS." Aliza
"I remember meeting staff who all left a positive impression and attended a taster lesson which was super interactive which added to my decision to choose SOAS." Zahra
Get a feel of the atmosphere on campus
"By visiting the university, I got a feel for the atmosphere of campus life at SOAS. The small size of the campus, combined with the international environment, created a strong community atmosphere that I had not experienced elsewhere." Masami
"I remember meeting staff who all left a positive impression and attended a taster lesson which was super interactive which added to my decision to choose SOAS. It was also somewhere I could envision myself compared to UCL. I liked how small the uni was – it gave a feel of community, which I don’t think would’ve been the case in any other university." Zahra
How do you know if you’ve made the right choice?
"Coming to SOAS for the first time just felt right. I felt in place instantly, and I had a feeling that this would be the place for me. I was really impressed by the diverse and unique nature of SOAS. I also fell in love with the location, and this is something I am still not over because you are at the centre of everything. The British Museum is only down the road from SOAS, and the Wellcome Collection is a 15-minute walk away, where you’ll then find yourself at the British Library. Key attractions such as Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus are also close by, and just a few stops on the Piccadilly line then you're at the Natural History Museum, This list could go on and on. So there is always something to do if you’re looking for a break from your studies or even for a different place to study." Aliza
"The Applicant Day filled me with a lot of excitement for the next chapter of my life and therefore motivated me to continue working hard at my A-Levels. This transition stage of deciding what to do for university is not an easy one for most of us, but I can say that the events at SOAS made this process a lot more manageable and enjoyable!" Masami
Attend our next SOAS Undergraduate Applicant Day on 23 March and Undergraduate Open Day on 15 June.
