College Fairs
Researching the 6,500 U.S. colleges can be overwhelming. There's so much to think about. An easy way to get your research started is by going to some college fairs in your community during your junior or senior year. At college fairs (sometimes called "expositions" or "expos"), you have a great opportunity to meet with representatives from many colleges in one day. Not only can you learn important information about colleges you are already considering, but you'll discover colleges you didn't know existed or haven't considered. And they may be right for you!
Preparing for College Fairs
Be prepared to get the most out of your college fair adventure. Here's how:
- Review the list of colleges that will be there. Visit their websites. Take notes on key information.
- Prepare some questions ahead of time to make your time with the college representatives as productive as possible. Ask about courses, admissions requirements, student aid availability, and campus life.
- Be sure to bring a pen and notepad on fair day so that you can take notes.
- When you arrive at the fair, get a floor plan and highlight the colleges you want to check out.
- When you finish speaking with a representative, ask for his or her contact information or business card. This will be helpful if you have any specific questions later on.
- When you have visited all the colleges you are interested in, spend some time speaking with representatives from colleges that you have not yet considered.
- Keep an open mind. With nearly 6,500 colleges, there are bound to be many that fit your academic and career goals and your bank account.
- If you plan to apply to any of the colleges that you discovered during fair visits, send a brief thank-you note to the college rep with whom you met to let the person know you're interested in attending. Sometimes the personal touch helps get you noticed by admissions officers. After all, getting into the college you want is a competition.
Finding College Fairs Near You
College fairs or "college expos" can range from small affairs conducted at your high school to large events at convention centers. Check with your counselor about your high school's college fair, and visit the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) website at www.nacacnet.org for a list of regional college fairs near your hometown. Lots of nonprofit organizations, such as religious, athletic, and ethnic organizations, also host college fairs. Be sure to check out those websites too so you don't overlook any options when pursuing your dream of a college education.