Go to the College Fairs
| National college fairs span the U.S. from coast to coast and visit every major metropolitan area across the country. Some countries outside the U.S. also have International Education Fairs. There won’t be any Ferris wheels at these fairs, but there will be many college representatives sitting at tables and handing out brochures and cards. Have questions? Ask the reps! These are outstanding opportunities for students to learn about a wide variety of schools, attend helpful seminars, and collect information on:
* Admission requirements * Financial aid * College majors and courses * Academics * Life on campus Fairs can help students cross some colleges off their list and discover new ones to add. Some college fairs are even attended by the admissions officers. There are also a lot of pens, bags and other giveaway items for the taking. College fairs are free and open to the public. International College Counselors Note: Students should leave their contact info with all the schools that interest them. At application review time, demonstrating interest in a school may give them extra points. If students don’t leave their name, the colleges won’t know they were there or showing interest. To find out when and where college fairs are taking place in your area, ask a high school counselor or call or email us if you are a client of International College Counselors. You can also visit the website of the National Association for College Admission Counseling. Links to the upcoming NACAC national college fair schedules and international college fairs: Performing and Visual Arts College Fairs Students can also take advantage of online college fair events. They happen nearly every day and anyone can attend. We highly recommend them for those who are unable to travel to the college fair locations. One of the most popular hosts for virtual college fairs is College Week Live. Plan to attend more than one college fair. Different schools attend at different times. Ten ways to get the most out of each fair: 1. Before going to the fair, find out which colleges will be at the fair (a list may be posted on the fair’s website) and write down the names of the ones you want to learn about. 2. Make a list of any questions you have. 3. Plan to bring your list, a pen, paper and a bag to hold college brochures. 4. At the fair, get a map of the fair and plan a route that will take you to the booths of all the colleges on your list. If there is no map available, do a quick survey of the room to locate your colleges. 5. Visit booths and ask college representatives questions. For example, you can ask, “What kind of student are you looking for?” or “What makes your campus special?” Take a minute to jot down any information you think is important before moving on to the next booth. 6. Check out some of the other booths when you’re done with the colleges on your list. You may stumble onto a great college you hadn’t considered. 7. Attend an information session, if offered. Typical topics include applications and financial aid. These sessions are good opportunities to get expert advice. 8. When home, think of the colleges that stood out and brainstorm why. Use the notes you took during the fair to get the full picture. 9. Organize the college material you collected and review it as soon as possible, so the information is fresh. Toss out materials from colleges you’ve ruled out so you can focus on the colleges you’re interested in. 10. Do more research on the schools you like. Explore websites, contact the admission office and/or plan a campus visit. If you’re enthusiastic about the college, it may be time to visit in person. CONTACT INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE COUNSELORS This year, college advisors at International College Counselors helped more than 200 students find, apply to, and gain acceptance into the college of their dreams. The expert college counselors at International College Counselors are dedicated to helping students and their families successfully navigate the college application process. For more information on International College Counselors or to contact an expert college counselor, please visit http://www.internationalcollegecounselors.com. |