The college planning process can be so confusing…
Let us help you get a head start before attending College Night Februry 28, 2018 at Robarts Arena.
What Should I Do Before I Attend? Research the Colleges Attending and Make a List of Questions!
- Find out which colleges will be at the fair
- Make a list of any questions that you have (questions that are not easily found on the college websites are recommended)
- Prepare a business card with the following information to hand out to the college representatives: First & Last name; Address; Phone; Email; High School & Year of Graduation: Major of Interest: Special interests (i.e. sports, drama, et)
- Keep in mind that one of your goals is to make a great impression – put on a smile, stand up straight, ask questions clearly, and look confident. Be appreciative and courteous when interacting with the college representatives. Have fun!!
What Questions Should I Be Asking Myself Before I Attend the Fair? Get to Know Yourself and Identify and What is Important to You in a College!
- Do you want to attend a two year or a four year college?
- What size school are you considering?
- What programs/majors are you considering?
- How much money is available for me to attend college?
- What types of extracurricular activities am I interested in?
- What kind of environment do I prefer? Urban, suburban, rural?
- Do I require any kind of special services/accommodations? i.e. tutoring, note takers, readers, interpreters, extra time, distraction-free/separate room, etc.
- What makes your school special?
- Can you describe the range of students that are at your college?
- How do first year students choose their classes?
- How are academic advisors assigned?
- How are roommates in the residence halls assigned? (If applicable)
- What makes your programs related to my major interest unique?
What Should I Wear? Dress to Impress – Make a Good Impression!
- Wear comfortable shoes and dress to impress – a nice pair of pants, blouse, nice skirt, conservative and professional but comfortable. Remember, you’re meeting face to face with college representatives!
What Should I Bring with Me? Paper, Pen, Resume, Business Card with Contact Information
- A pen, paper, and a sturdy bag to hold college brochures!
- Resume
- Business Card with telephone, email, and possibly a head shot (make sure that your email address is something respectable and doesn’t detract from you as a viable candidate to the college).
This is Your Opportunity to Speak to College Representatives!!! Don’t Be Shy J
What Kinds of Questions Should I Ask? You can ask about anything ranging from academic majors to admissions requirements to extracurricular activities to financial aid opportunities.
- What qualities do you look for in a prospective student?
- What are the test score requirements?
- What majors are offered? How does your college differentiate from others offering similar course programs?
- What degrees are the most popular?
- When is the application deadline? When are the scholarship deadlines?
- How can I arrange a campus visit? Is there a virtual tour also available?
- How long is the wait once I’ve submitted my application for admission?
- How much is tuition, room, board, and school supply costs?
- What work study and scholarship opportunities do you offer?
- What is the average class size? What is the faculty to student ratio?
- Do you offer early decision or early admissions?
- When is the priority deadline for financial aid applications?
- Do you have learning communities or freshmen transition programs and supports?
What Should I Do While I’m At The College Fair? Visit Booths, Ask Questions & Take Notes!
- Visit the college booths and ask questions of the representatives
- Write down information that you think is important
- Attend information sessions if they’re offered – this is a great way to get expert advice!
What Should I do When I Get Home? Reflect, Organize, Learn More, Prioritize, and Discuss!
- Ask yourself which colleges stood out to you and why
- Review any notes that you took at the fair
- Create an “action plan” for follow-up research and applications
What’s the Best Way to organize my material from the College Fair?
- Within the first week, organize the college material that you collected and review it that week while it’s fresh in your mind (Files, file box, etc.)
- Throw out materials of colleges that you have ruled out so that you can focus on your priority colleges
What Should I do Once I’ve Narrowed Down the Colleges that Are of Interest to Me?
- Find out more! Do more research on the colleges that you’re considering
- Explore financial aid, scholarships, and related resources
Now What?
- Follow up with a thank you note to the representatives of the schools that you are most interested in.
- Discuss your experience and reflections – identify priority schools, safety schools, etc.
- Schedule college visits!
- Continue to fine-tune the information on each college that you’re considering
ARE YOU FEELING MORE PREPARED FOR COLLEGE NIGHT? YOU CAN DO THIS! DON’T FORGET TO STOP BY THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION TABLE FOR EVEN MORE TIPS AND RESOURCES TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR POST-SECONDARY PATHWAY.
