How to prepare for a college fair

How to Prepare for a College Fair

Attending a College Fair is a great way to do college research. It allows you to meet face-to-face with college representatives. Here are some tips to make the most of your experience:

Before the Fair:

Ask yourself “Why do I want to go to college in the first place?” This may sound basic, but you’ll be surprised how difficult this question might be for you to answer in the beginning.
Consider what you are looking for in a school—big/small, major, urban/rural, 2-year/4-year, religiously-affiliated, athletics, Greek life, special programs/opportunities, etc.
Make a list of schools that are a “must” to connect with. You may not be able to get to every college, so know ahead of time what type of colleges you would be interested in attending.
Register online ahead of time, if applicable. Registering will give you a bar code the college rep will be able to scan to get your contact information.
Type your contact info, high school name, graduation year, major, etc. on sticky labels for contact cards.
Talk to at least one college representative from a school you have never heard of.
Prepare a list of interesting, specific questions for the college reps—this will generate interesting and specific conversations.
Make a professional email address.

During the Fair:

Bring a pen, paper, and tote bag for notes and materials.
Grab a map (if available) to plan your route.
Be patient—you may have to wait in line to talk to a college.
Don’t let your parents do all of the talking.
Take notes! Write down what you find most interesting about each college.
Ask for business cards. Follow up with the rep if you have more questions or just want to thank them for their time.
Be adventurous! Chat with colleges you may not have considered or never heard of.
Attend an information session to learn more about the college search process, financial aid, and other topics.
Drop by the Counselor table to meet one-on-one with a College Counselor.

After the Fair:

Organize and sort through all of the material you have collected.
Make notes about schools that stood out to you while it is fresh in your mind.
Recycle materials from colleges you have ruled out.
Review college websites, catalogs, and view books of the schools that interested you most. This will help you narrow your choices.
Write down any additional questions you want to follow up about.
Consider sending a thank you email to the college representative. This simple gesture can show admission officials you are serious about wanting to attend their college.
Talk to your parents and counselor about what schools peaked your interest and why.
Adjust your college list accordingly, if necessary.
Start scheduling visits to your top schools.
Read e-mails to see when colleges will be visiting your school or community.

What Can Parents Do:

Encourage your students to research the schools ahead of time and truly evaluate what they want out of their college experience.
Attend the information sessions on the college search process, financial aid, and other topics.
Encourage your student to begin the exploration process EARLY. Be ready to discuss post high school options, including finances.

College fairs are a great resource when you are doing your college search. Plan ahead and get the most out of your experience. Enjoy!

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