College Fairs and How to Prepare
College fairs are a great place to start your college search! So, what’s a college fair and what can you
expect?
Think
“science fair” for colleges. College
fairs are events where colleges from around the country will gather to provide
students with information. College
representatives (usually admission staff or college alumni) are available at
tables to answer questions and distribute brochures or handouts about their
college. You might also be able to sign
up to be on a college’s mailing/email list.
College fairs typically happen at your school (or a school nearby), or
sometimes at a hotel, community center, or convention center.
| Pro |
Con |
| Many colleges (sometimes hundreds!) in the same room giving you access to college representatives and info about a wide variety of colleges. At one event, you can gather information about schools from around the country or even around the world. |
Depending on the venue and the number of colleges and attendees, college fairs can be a bit overwhelming. They can be crowded and loud. With many students vying for the attention of the college reps, you will have limited time to get your questions answered. |
To make the most of your college fair experience, here are some general do’s and don’ts.
DO:
·Make a plan! Get a list of the colleges that will be at the event and decide which college tables you want to visit.
·Be presentable! You’ll likely be talking with the same college representatives that will read your future application. You want to make a good impression. This doesn’t require a 3-piece suit – but you may not want to come directly from soccer practice. Be prepared to shake hands, smile, and speak clearly.
·Visit a variety of schools! This is your chance to explore colleges of all shapes and sizes. Schools that you may not otherwise consider or visit may offer something surprising. Don’t limit yourself to only colleges that you have heard of or already know something about.
DON’T
·Ask questions that you can find the answer to on the college website - like “Does your school offer XYZ major?”. Show the college representative that you’ve done your research by asking something about a specific about the college. Or ask the same insightful question (like “What kind of student thrives at your school” or “What three words best describe this college”) of every college rep to get a feel for what the college values or the “personality” of the college.
Take Action
Ask you counselor about colleges fairs in your area and add an event to your calendar. Do your research in advance about the schools that will be represented.
