Let us help you get a head start before attending College Night February 28, 2018 at Robarts Arena.
1. Research the colleges attending!
- 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, etc)
2. 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?
3. 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!
- 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!!
4. Come Prepared! Don’t forget the following:
- 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).
5. Get your questions ready!
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?
6. Make the most of your Fair visit – Visit Booths, Ask Questions & Take Notes!
This is Your Opportunity to Speak to College Representatives! Don’t Be Shy J
- 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!
7. After the Fair – 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
- Organize the college material that you collected and review it that week while it’s fresh in your mind
- Throw out materials of colleges that you have ruled out so that you can focus on your priority colleges
Once you’ve narrowed down the colleges you’re interested in:
- Find out more! Do more research on the colleges that you’re considering
- Explore financial aid, scholarships, and related resources
What’s next?
- 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
