Tips On Attending A College Fair

How to find the right college by attending a college fair

By attending a college fair, not only you can learn about various colleges but also network with the staff and students from various colleges and get some great tips on preparing yoru college application.  A college fair may consist of just a few colleges visiting your school or a community center or it may have several dozen colleges especially if it is sponsored by the National Association for College Admission Counseling.  By attending a college fair you will be taking a significant step towards you college education.

Pre-Fair Tips

• Talk to your high school counselor to see if attending the particular fair is worth it. 
• Make a list of colleges.
• Research online and in library to learn more abut the participating colleges.
• Prepare a list of questions you would like to ask to various colleges. At a minimum you want to know about tution, student body, programs offered, college housing and accredition.
• Get a binder or a notebook to take your notes.  A bag may help you store all the material handed to you by colleges.
• See if an adult is willing to accompany you.  You should do most of the talking but see if they have any questions too.  You will be suprised that the experience of life can have the ask several questions you may have never thought of.

While Attending The Fair

• Meet representatives of the colleges which you are most interested in.  If there are any students from that college at the fair ask them questions regarding the quality of education and campus life.  Any spare time can be used to visit other college booths.
• If fair is holding free sessions on topics such as how to prepare your admission essay or how to score high on your SAT or how to appear in a college admisison interview then you should make yourself available for those sessions.

After Attending The Fair

• Review your notes and handouts a few times over the time period of a week or so to better absorb the information.
• Read online reviews to see if the claims made by the colleges are accurate.
• Talk to the accompanying adult.
• Tak to your parents and elder siblings.
• Talk to your high school counselor.
• Talk to your mentor.
• Schedule visits to the colleges you are most interested in.
• Then decide what colleges you would be applying at.