Preparing for a College Fair

Excerpt taken from Blog Prep Scholar

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It can be helpful to group your questions to ask at a college fair into categories. Organization will help you make sure you don't miss anything as you're talking with admissions officers. Here are some possible topics and sample questions you might want to include:

 

Academics

• What programs are you most proud of?
• Are first-year students given priority for picking courses? 
• What programs are the most popular?
• How does my favorite class in high school translate into a major?
• What help is there for students who speak English as a second language, who use American Sign Language, or who experience learning differences or other considerations? 

 

Admissions

• What should I know about competitive majors? Does "competitive" mean there are extra considerations for acceptance, or that there are limited spaces?
• What do students like and dislike about attending this school?
• Are there any students I can talk to about their experience?

 

Tuition and Cost

• Are there any program-specific financial aid or scholarship programs I should know about? 
• What opportunities are available for international, underrepresented, or other students with special circumstances?

 

Campus Life

• If a club I'm interested in doesn't exist, can I start that club?
• What do students do during their free time?
• What kind of restaurants and activities are near campus?
• What is the workload like for my major?
• What kind of safety measures are there on campus?

 

Job Searching

• What do graduates of my major go on to do?
• How can I make the most of my alumni network?

 

Some of the questions to ask at a college fair will be on the general side: things you can ask multiple colleges to compare and contrast what they offer. Other questions to ask at college fairs should be based on specifics, like the details of one particular program.

For example, say you're an aspiring novelist who wants to write fantasy books. What's the English department's stance on genre fiction? This is something that's probably not listed on a college website, but if the college representative knows the answer, you'll have a better picture of whether the school is a good fit—and if they don't know, they can put you in touch with someone who does. 

You don't have to ask the exact same questions at every school, but be sure you get all the information you need. The questions to ask colleges at a college fair are ones that will help you make the most informed decision you can about where you want to attend. 

 

6 College Fair Tips

Since you've already made a plan, you're on the right track for getting the best possible experience out of your college fair. But there's still more you can do, too. 

 

#1: Dress to Impress

Don't worry about looking extremely fancy, but do put a little effort into your outfit. Focus on the clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident. Think button-up shirts, skirts, and professional-looking pants like corduroy, khakis, or chinos. Formal wear isn't necessary, but do put in a little more effort than you might on an average day at school.

Now, put on your best confident smile, because you're there to impress! 

 

#2: Bring Supplies

You should bring a bottle of water—you're going to be doing a lot of talking—as well as a notebook and pen. Not only will taking notes help make sure you don't forget each college's answer to your questions, but taking a moment to jot down some notes after each conversation will make sure you remember it better. If you have address labels, these can be a great way to hand out your personal information if you don't have the NACAC barcode.

 

#3: Arrive Early

College fairs will typically have a fair directory and bag for you to take. If you get there early, you can use the directory to plan out the optimal route to make sure you get a chance to talk to all the schools you want to meet with rather than wandering aimlessly and hoping you stumble upon them.

 

#4: Be Genuine

When you're talking to representatives of each school, don't worry about being the most impressive person in the room, but do think about being your authentic self. Be honest and forthcoming and express genuine interest. Don't try to impress based on things you don't actually feel, believe, or do, because not only can admissions officers pick up on that, but it's also more likely to lead to a college being a poor fit.

The best college for you isn't always the most prestigious one—you want a school that's going to lead to academic success, a great pathway to a career, and a fulfilling education, not one that's just going to carry the star power of a familiar name.

 

#5: Check Out Unfamiliar Colleges

You should set aside at least a little time to talk with colleges you may not have heard of. The biggest, most memorable names may not actually be the best fit—smaller schools may surprise you! That's why it's good to have general questions to ask when attending a college fair: you don't want to be left scrambling for conversation when your dream school might be right in front of you.

 

#6: Follow Up

Be sure to grab brochures, an application, financial aid information, and business cards from representatives if they're available. You can even send a follow-up to whoever you speak to; it's a great way to show initiative and interest. Besides, you'll want all that information later on when it's time to apply—thanks to your hard work and planning, you have everything you need to find the perfect school for you!