More than 100 institutions will fill the Squires Student Center Commonwealth Ballroom with tables laden with informational brochures, pens, candy, and other giveaways on Sept. 23 at 11 a.m. for the annual Graduate and Professional School Fair.

The fair, sponsored by the Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) with assistance from the Graduate School Office of Recruitment, Diversity, and Inclusion, is a three-hour event that's free and open to all undergraduate and graduate Virginia Tech students, regardless of their academic status, major, or program.

“This is an opportunity to learn about options for graduate and professional schools,” said GSA President Hani Awni.

The institutions include law, medical, business, and veterinary schools, as well as universities offering a range of post-baccalaureate programs from a geographical swath that includes eastern, southern and midwestern states. Awni said Virginia Tech’s graduate programs also will be well represented.

Past fairs have been held in the late afternoon, but Awni said organizers wanted to make the event accessible to more students. “It’s earlier in the day. Hopefully this will be more convenient for students,” he said. “They can either go to it after classes, or stop by and then go on to afternoon classes.”

The GSA and the Office of Career and Professional Development will hold two free prep sessions for the fair on Sept. 17 and 18 at the Graduate Life Center. Awni said the sessions will cover such topics as what types of questions students can ask recruiters, what they should look for when comparing schools and programs, and how to maintain contact with recruiters and program directors. Additionally, the sessions will include panels of graduate students from across the university who will share their own experiences and answer questions.

The sessions are free, but registration through GobblerConnect is required. For the Sept. 17 session at 5:30 p.m. in GLC Room C, register via this link. For the Sept. 18 session at 2:30 p.m. in the same location, register with this link. If you need additional information, please contact the GSA Executive Board at gsa@vt.edu.

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