Deciding where to go to college weighs on many high school students as their next big step in life. There are thousands of colleges, and they are all different from each other. One way for students to prepare and become familiar with their options is to attend a college fair.
A college fair is designed for students to get an idea of the type of school they want to attend and explore their options.
Kylie Sun, a junior, plans to attend a college fair to get a better idea of what she wants in her future.
“I need to get an idea of what kind of college I want to go to and what I want to do as a major. I hope to get some insight into how I can prepare for the college process. admission and what the different colleges also offer,” Sun said.
Typically, admissions officers from different schools met at high schools or event centers, and students could walk around and go to the booth that interested them. Due to the pandemic, college fairs are online this year.
“Each show is organized differently. Some fairs will take place over several days, allowing students to join different discussion groups with the college they are interested in,” said Nina Rasor, the College and Career Assistant. “Other fairs will be held in one day with students accessing multiple Zoom links for brief question and answer sessions.”
Although college fairs are not normally held online, some students are finding benefits from the virtual event. Still, making connections won’t be the same as in person.
“Because it’s online, it’s more accessible for a lot of people who can’t get around, don’t want to miss school, or have other barriers. But you also lose any relationship you might have had with the people there,” said Aylin Salahifar, a junior.
Another factor that attracts many students to college fairs is demonstrated interest. Some private colleges grade students who come to their booths and talk to them.
“Showing interest is showing a college you want to attend. One way to show interest is to speak to an admissions officer at a college fair,” Rasor said.
Rasor and other sources like the National Association for College Admissions Counseling advise students to come to university fairs prepared so that they can make the most of their time there.
“Before attending a college fair, students should register in advance, check the list of attending colleges, and create a list of questionsRasor said. “Make a plan of which colleges you’d like to visit. Attending a tour of a school you don’t know can boost your list of potential colleges.
While there’s a lot to think about before going to a college fair, it’s important to remember that they’re there to help students.
“College fairs are like a Costco sample. There are thousands of colleges you can go to, and a college fair is just a small taste of that school,” Salahifar said. “You can get an idea of the values, culture and environment of the school. This is a chance for you to get a taste of college.
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