What Is a College Fair?
If you have ever attended a college fair or look forward to attending one, you know they can be a bit overwhelming. My son and daughter attended the college fair held in their high school gym. There were colleges represented from across the state, and some from across the country. It was the first step in gathering valuable information to assist them in their college search.
Faced with the daunting task of connecting with admissions representatives from numerous colleges, you need a plan.
How do college fairs work?
Colleges send representatives to various locations across the country to meet with students who are interested in attending their institution. They are grouped in a large space, usually an auditorium or cafeteria, and each college has a display and a table with information to distribute to students who show interest. At the same time, the colleges gather information from the students who speak with them.
College fairs, when approached properly, can help you in the beginning stages of the college search process. More importantly, however, they facilitate those all-important contacts with college admissions officers. Those connections can be used in the future when visiting campuses, connecting with the colleges via social media or email, and even as an advocate when your college application is submitted for consideration for admission.
What do you do at a college fair?
Approaching a college fair without a plan will leave you frustrated and disappointed at the end of the event. College fairs are important tools in your arsenal of preparation during the college admissions process. If you approach these fairs with proper planning, you can benefit from the information you gather and the contacts you make.
When you arrive at the fair, look at the physical map of the location and where each college is located. Take a few minutes to map out a strategy and decide which colleges you will have conversations with the representatives in attendance.
Compare a college fair to a buffet: there will be more there than you can take in, but not everything is to your taste. As with a buffet, it is best to scope out your choices before you start adding to your plate or gathering your information. Don’t waste time with the colleges that don’t interest you. You’re on a mission—stay focused.
Before attending, decide how you will collect information. Take notes in a notebook or on your smartphone as you speak with the college representatives. After your conversations, ask for their contact information. This will be your first contact with the college, and it will be important.
After the fair, spend some time organizing your information and going over your notes. Send an email or write a personal thank you note to the college representative letting them know how much you enjoyed speaking with them. This will cement your meeting in their minds and provide an opportunity for further connections.
Refer back to something specific you discussed or learned about the college, and feel free to ask more about it. You’re not only following up and demonstrating interest in the college, but you’re also connecting with someone who might be involved in the admissions process and can recommend you for admission.
What questions should I ask at a college fair?
This is your chance to ask some questions and conduct your own mini-interview of the colleges. Don’t waste your time asking questions that can be found on the college websites. College admissions representatives learn as much about you from your questions as they do from conversations. Before attending, do a little research on some of the colleges that interest you. Once you arrive, you should have some specific questions in mind.
In an interview with Forbes, several admissions officials shared their insight into the college fair process:
Paul Krsiak, Senior Associate Director of Admissions at Quinnipiac University explains, “The best questions asked are the ones students cannot easily find on a college’s website.” He says, “College fairs are such a great opportunity to ask questions that make us think, don’t be afraid to put us on the spot and ask us tough questions.”
Penn State’s Nick Levine, an undergraduate admission counselor, adds, "Let the college really understand who you are as a person, not just your test scores. Ask the questions that are going to help you understand exactly what a university or college stands for—their student culture, their mission as an institution, how the food is on campus—anything that is important in your life and you want to make sure the college has before visiting.”
What do I wear to a college fair?
First impressions are important. Don’t show up in tattered jeans, a dirty T-shirt, and flip-flops. Treat the connections you make with the college representatives as a preliminary interview. Aim for a business casual look that's both comfortable and polished to make a good impression.
While you don’t need to show up in a three-piece suit, it’s also not a good idea to wear inappropriate clothing. Think about what you would wear to a job interview, and that’s probably a good outfit for a college fair.
Also, remember that you'll be walking and standing while interacting with the college representatives. So make sure to wear comfortable shoes. Flats, loafers, or dress sneakers should work well. Being comfortable can help you engage more confidently in conversations with the representatives.
Are college fairs worth going to?
Some educators, students, and parents question whether the college fair is a dying breed due to the advent of social media, texting, and other advances. These advances have streamlined college marketing and equipped students with endless resources for their college search.
There is a case to be made, however, for maintaining these important touchpoints in a student’s admission experience. One-on-one contact helps students build a relationship with the college. Despite access to data and technology, it’s still a human experience that builds relationships.
Hopefully, fairs will not disappear anytime soon, as they provide valuable exposure for students and schools, as well an experience with direct interpersonal communication—life skills that will benefit applicants no matter where they enroll.
How do virtual college fairs work?
Virtual college fairs are conducted through an online hub, with webinar-style sessions that enable participants (students, parents, and counselors alike) to attend certain tracks depending on their interests. They can submit their questions via chat. There are opportunities for one-on-one conversations with experts and college representatives around the admissions process, the college life experience, financial aid options, current student life, and more. All from the comfort of home.
While in-person college fairs are capped according to physical space and limited in terms of which college’s reps are willing and able to travel, the number and geography of colleges and universities that can participate in virtual fairs are limitless.
The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) provides students with a virtual college fair checklist to help prepare for the online event, which you can access here.
How do I find a college fair?
Speak with your high school guidance counselor about local college fairs, or find a fair near you sponsored by the National Association for College Admissions Counseling.
Some college fairs are focused on a particular academic area or college type, such as STEM, or the visual and performing arts. Others specialize in a state or region or a public university system. For example, the California Out-of-State and International College Fairs feature colleges in the Western Undergraduate Exchange Program, which offers reduced tuition to California residents.
The State University of New York system hosts college fairs throughout New York State featuring workshops on how to apply to a SUNY school and presentations about various campuses within the SUNY system and their academic programs and scholarships.
Check with the local NACAC chapter for your state or region, as it may host college fairs featuring more schools closer to home. For example, the Southern Association of College Admissions Counselors (SACAC) holds several virtual fairs, as well as in-person events throughout the South.
You can also consult the College Fair Guide for a list of fairs in your region.
Why should I attend a college fair?
Attending a college fair can provide a wealth of benefits for anyone considering higher education. From exploring a wide range of options to speaking directly with admissions representatives, attending informative sessions, collecting useful resources, and networking with peers and professionals, there are countless reasons to make attending a college fair a priority.
If you can attend a college fair in your area or find it more convenient to attend a virtual affair, don't hesitate to take advantage of it—it could be the first step toward finding the perfect college fit for you.
Learn your chances before attending a college fair
By preparing questions in advance, dressing appropriately, and following up with contacts, you can maximize your experience at these events. However, the journey doesn't end at the fair.
Taking the initiative to assess your chances can give you insight into how to prioritize your time. You can easily do it with our college acceptance calculator. It's designed to help you evaluate your chances of getting into your dream schools. Don’t miss out on this essential tool in your college preparation journey—try it today!
