Stephanie Klein Wassink
Founder
Winning Applications
If you aren't able to go on campus visits, or if you want to supplement your visits, college fairs are an excellent way to discover, explore, and connect with colleges and universities. But how do you get the most out of them? High school juniors, sophomores, and even freshmen can benefit from a strategic approach, so here are our top tips for attending these events.
- Make a list of 10–15 schools you want to learn more about. Focus primarily on schools that are more than two hours from home. You can visit local colleges and universities in person.
- Take a bag with you to collect materials (although most college fairs provide them) as well as a pad of paper and a pen or pencil with which to take notes.
- Arrive early: it's easier to make a good impression before the admission representative has spoken with 200 other students.
- Be sure to ask for the business card of the admission representative at the table or get the name of the alumni representative you meet.
- Shake hands, smile, and make eye contact when introducing yourself.
- Have one or two questions you want to ask representatives at each school, preferably regarding information not easily accessible on the school's website. Don't expect to discuss your personal circumstances with the rep, and don’t be the person who holds up the line. However, if you're the only person interested in the school and the rep is available, it is okay to have a longer conversation about their school's program.
- Make a game plan concerning the admission officer to whom you must talk.
- After the fair, make a list of the schools you visited, the date and location of the college fair, and the names and contact info of the representatives you met from each school. You may want to refer back to those notes before writing “Why this college” essays and/or before interviewing later in the process.
- Follow up with the admission officers and cite the things you spoke about in your conversations. Make sure that any follow-up conversations or questions are well thought through.
- Read through the publications you pick up at the fair. For schools that really interest you, schedule a campus visit (if you're able), complete with an admission info session and tour, and follow up with an email to the person you met, letting him or her know that you're planning this visit.
For more admission advice from our experts check out our College Admission—Ask The Experts section.