Is your high school hosting a college fair? College fairs are terrific opportunities to collect admissions information on potential schools and help you to narrow down your options for your college search! Read on to learn how to make a great first impression on college reps and get the most out of your college fair.
College fairs are events that bring admissions officers from various colleges and universities to high schools, convention centers, and community spaces to meet with and answer questions from students and parents. In a single evening, high school students get face time with colleges from around the country and those colleges, armed with brochures and catalogs, can reach a cross-section of students from a local area.
With all the students vying for the attention of a limited number of college representatives, college fairs can be overwhelming and intimidating for some students and their parents (NACAC National College Fair events, for example, can draw reps from upward of 200 schools!). The key to using the fair to your advantage is to arrive prepared:
Before you arrive at the fair, do your research. Which college representatives do you want to meet? What do you know about their college already, and what more do you want to know? Depending on your priorities, you might decide to focus your attention on schools that have a strong program for your intended major or look into scholarship information to help pay for college.
If a college rep can clearly see you are interested and familiar with the school, that impression can have a huge impact. A few thoughtful, well-researched questions are best. If you can find the answer on their website (like, “Where is your school located?”), ask something else. Try this list of college questions to get started.
You don’t need to rent a tux, but you don’t want to look like you just peeled yourself off the couch, either. College reps will remember students who seem well put-together and who demonstrate serious interest in their schools. Show them you’re interested by smiling, making eye contact, and being polite. Wear comfortable shoes and carry around bottled water. You’ll be doing a whole lot of walking and talking.
It’s okay to approach a school you are unfamiliar with. Smart students seize the opportunity to learn about new schools, understanding that one of these freshly discovered colleges might be the perfect place for them. The college reps will be thrilled to tell you about their school, and you should be prepared to talk about yourself and what you are looking for.
When you’ve asked all your questions and (hopefully) feel good about the college rep you just spoke with, be sure to ask them for their contact information and use it if you have more questions after you’ve left the fair.
Admission counselors attend college fairs to help you with any questions you may have about their school to see if it is the right college fit for you. Here are a few sample questions to help you uncover key information. Remember to ask anything specific to your needs and interests and prioritize your questions in order of importance.
After attending a college fair, students often wonder what to do next with all of the information and contacts they’ve gathered. Sort through and organize the information you and your parents gathered and any notes you took at the fair. Within a day or two, while the conversation is fresh in your mind, send the college reps you spoke with a thank-you email, let them know you’re interested in their school, and ask any follow-up questions you have. When contacting colleges, keep it short, polite, and professional.
Schedule a few campus visits for your top schools and lastly, congratulate yourself! Navigating the college fair grounds is no easy feat. You’re well on your way to finding your best fit college.
For more than 40 years, students and families have trusted The Princeton Review to help them get into their dream schools. We help students succeed in high school and beyond by giving them resources for better grades, better test scores, and stronger college applications. Follow us on Twitter: @ThePrincetonRev.
