As we enter "full swing" of the college search and selection for high school juniors and seniors, our Admissions Representatives spend many, many nights at college fairs around the country. With these fairs, there are a number of positives and negatives in regards to how valuable they are to a student's college search.
College fairs provide students with access to many schools and colleges that they otherwise may not have known about. At a national fair for example, a student will have the chance to meet representatives from hundreds of schools. Information is free, so students can take a brochure from each representative they meet. The same even goes for a local high school fair. Most of the time at a local fair, you will meet representatives from the majority of the schools near you (ex. in Connecticut, you will probably meet a representative from us (University of New Haven), UConn, Southern, Central, Hartford, Albertus Magnus ... and the list goes on). In addition, you will probably meet a representative from colleges that are interested in students from your school (i.e. surrounding states). This provides you with "face time" with the counselor that is likely to have a hand in your application process. I know that here at UNH, the representative for your area is PROBABLY the person at your fair.
With all of the positives of a college fair, there are some negatives to watch out for as well. Here are a few to watch out for and how to deal with them:
- Lack of time: Many times you will find the college fair will fly right by. If you have the opportunity, go over the list of schools at the fair before the fair so you know who to hit first.
- Having too much stuff: Bring an extra bag to put all of the brochures you pick up in. Also, don't forget to READ the stuff you pick up when you get home.
- Don't just follow your friends: Your friends may have the same interests in schools as you, and they may not. Make sure you visit with the counselors from the schools you are interested in before you visit with your friends.
- Don't be afraid to ask questions!: The counselors are there to answer questions, not just hand out brochures. Ask as many questions as you like!
The biggest downside of a college fair is the fact that you can't physically SEE the school. That is why the campus visit is the most important aspect of the college search. So, once you visit a counselor at a fair, be sure to visit the school!
