How to Get the Most Out of a College Fair

College fairs can be overwhelming. So, let’s outline some strategies to help you use this opportunity to make that all-important decision: WHERE am I going to go to college?

Before the fair:

Discuss with your family what the priorities should be for choosing a good college for you. Some factors to consider are location, academic programs, campus life, number of students, cost, diversity, retention rate and graduation rate. (This means what percentage of the students that start at a college as a freshman come back the sophomore year and what percentage actually graduate?)

Use Family Connection’s Super College Search tool.

Make a list of colleges you want to consider and see which colleges on your list are going to be at the event.

Review the websites of colleges on your list and write down questions that you cannot find the answers to on their websites. Write down your most important questions in advance so you don’t forget them.

The day of the fair:

Bring your bar code.

Bring a pen, a notebook, your list of colleges and questions.

You are going to be on your feet almost the entire time, so wear comfortable shoes.

Bring a bag to carry brochures and other materials.

During the fair:

Take time to look at the floor plan and find out where the tables for your top choice colleges are located so you can go directly to them.

Check to see if you want to attend any of the information sessions that are offered during the fair.

You will be more likely to ask the questions you want answered if you are not with a group of friends. So, go your separate ways.

Visit booths of colleges that are not on your list. You just might find a college that is a perfect fit!

Jot down notes about a college while your memory is fresh, such as right after visiting the table.

Pick up the business cards of any representatives you talk to, so you can contact them if you have any more questions.

After the fair:

Within a couple of days, go through your bag of materials. Give the materials you don’t want to keep to your counselor or to friends.

Review the college materials and look at the list you prepared before the fair to see if there are colleges on your list that you want to eliminate.

Start researching the colleges that interested you the most. Go to websites, talk to your counselor, and try to plan a campus visit. Colleges love to show off their campuses and offer tours for potential students. Many colleges have special Saturday preview days for prospective students. Call the admissions office of the colleges you are interested in to determine the best time to visit.

Follow up with any college that interests you by contacting the admissions representative with whom you spoke to ask further questions (you should have taken one of their business cards).