Attending a college fair – whether in person or virtually – can be a great way to learn more about colleges you’re interested in, discover new colleges, and connect with admissions reps. Here’s how to avoid information overload and make the most of the experience.
There are many types of college fairs held throughout the year (usually in the fall and spring) all over the country. The National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) holds some of the largest and best-attended college fairs in the U.S. These fairs – held in person and virtually -- are free for students and families. Check the NACAC website for a calendar of upcoming fairs and look into the local NACAC chapter for your state or region, as it may host smaller college fairs in your area featuring more schools in your region.
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 (SUNY) system hosts college fairs throughout New York State featuring various campuses within the SUNY system and their academic programs and scholarships.
Before you attend a college fair, do your research. Find out which colleges are attending the fair and how to connect with representatives of the colleges that interest you. Create a list of those colleges, and visit the ones you’re most interested in first.
If you register for a NACAC fair, you’ll have access to a mobile app that includes the list of colleges attending the fair and where these colleges are located. Student can also choose to participate in NACAC’s College Matchmaking® service, which connects students with colleges at the fair that match their preferences in five categories (major, location, size, campus setting and institution type).
Make a point to visit some colleges you’ve never heard of or are not all that familiar with. You might discover a school or program that could be a good fit.
For virtual fairs held on a technology platform with which you are unfamiliar, make sure you can access the platform at least 30 minutes before the fair starts and that your camera and microphone are working.
Before the fair, research colleges you are interested in, and come prepared with questions that can’t be answered on the college’s website. You can find a lot of college facts in CollegeData's college profiles, which you can access using College Search.
Think about what you know about these colleges already and what more you want to know. You might ask what academic programs are the most popular at the college, what support services are available, or what kind of student succeeds on campus. If the admissions rep can’t answer your questions, ask who else at the college you can contact and get that person’s contact information. It’s a good idea to have a list of questions you want to ask at every college based on specific qualities you are looking for, as well as unique questions for each college based on what you’ve learned through your research.
Some fairs offer general sessions on financial aid, athletic admissions, college essays, and other admissions topics. These might be led by an independent counselor or by college representatives. For example, some fairs include break-out sessions where students and families can get advice from professional college counselors.
Make every effort to speak with the representatives of the colleges you’re interested in. Not only will you likely learn something new about the school but you'll show the admissions rep that you’ve taken the time to research the college and you’re serious about finding a good college fit.
Remember, admissions officers want to get to know you, so show your curiosity about their college and tell them about your interests and goals. This will not only help you learn more about the college, it will also demonstrate your interest and help the admissions rep remember you. If you’re attending virtually, don’t hide – turn on your camera!
Be sure to ask the representatives you meet for their contact information if they haven’t provided it, and use it if you have more questions later on. At some fairs, you may be able to schedule a one-on-one meeting with a college representative in advance.
College reps are not at the fair to assess your chances of admission, so don’t ask them to do that. Same goes for financial aid eligibility. You might consider estimating your admissions chances with CollegeData's College Chances tool and using the college’s net price calculator (usually found on the college’s website in the Financial Aid section) to get an idea of how much aid you might receive.
While you should dress comfortably and casually for a college fair, you should look your best. The same goes if you’re attending virtually (no pajamas!). If you’re attending a fair online, consider using a virtual background or point your camera away from any corners of the room that might be distracting.
Take time to pause for a few minutes to write down or record a summary of your conversations with college reps, your impressions of different colleges, and anything else that you want to remember. This information may come in handy later if you follow up with the admissions rep or apply to that school. One advantage to virtual fairs: presentations are often taped. Also consider asking admissions reps for a copy of their presentations if they are not already available.
After the fair, go back through your notes and look at any information you received as soon as you can. Then, ask yourself:
If you are interested in learning more about any of the colleges you visited at the fair, send an email to their representative thanking them for their time. Try to do this within 24 hours after the fair. 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 making a connection with someone who might be involved in the admissions process.
For more information on upcoming virtual college fairs, visit the NACAC College Fairs website, or consult the College Fair Guide for a list of fairs in your region.