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DON’T approach only the colleges you’ve heard about. It’s the most natural thing in the world to visit only the colleges you’ve heard of, whether at your school or on ESPN. But the college fair is a very excellent way to expand your horizons, and to find relevant alternatives to the few colleges you might already be considering. Take a chance on a college rep who looks lonely. Many great college matches have been made randomly, so widen your view and give the less popular colleges a shot. DON’T be a wallflower. A familiar face to any rep at the college fair is the “cruiser”: the student who walks up and down the aisles at a quick pace, making it seem like he or she is taking in the passing show but never really stopping to engage any of the college reps. Most often, one would guess, it’s simply shyness: this student is not quite sure what to do, not quite sure what to say, not quite sure how to put him or herself forward to best advantage. Remedy? Realize that the reps are there for you and would actually like to meet you, answer your questions, and hear your concerns. Get what you came to get: a sense of the Prepare a number of questions that you wouldn’t expect to be readily available on the college website. Try to probe how you would fit in the college (Do you have an out-of-the-way major in mind? Are you interested in working with a professor or getting an internship? Is it important to you to meet students from different backgrounds and from different countries? ) Whatever your specific concerns, ask away. EPIC FAIL! While admission reps love thoughtful questions, they bristle at awful ones, because they make them feel that your curiosity about their college is surface-level. Does it really matter if freshmen can have cars? Will you decide whether or not to apply based on the AP policy? Don’t come across as indifferent or shallow by asking poor questions. DO write it all down. Keep a college notebook or folder for business cards, brochures, mailings and your own notes on what you learned—and the name of the person you met. When it comes time for you to fill out the applications you might be able to use those details (for instance, by referencing in the supplemental questions on the application your discussion with the admissions rep). And trust us—you won’t remember. DO fill out the “contact card.” Many college representatives will offer you a small card or information sheet to fill out; in every case you should . You might think “the hell I need more email cluttering up my inbox or more catalogues jamming my mailbox,” but you probably don’t know that some colleges use these forms as expressions of interest in attending their college (some colleges even tabulate how many contacts you’ve made with their college as a way of gauging how likely it is that you’ll come, if accepted). Come next fall, you might even get a special application via email called the “Fast App” or “Snap App” in the college and how you might fit in there. DO be prepared with a few questions.
officers use these mass gatherings to get as much information, both verbal and written, into as many students’ hands as possible, and to begin their work of building an applicant pool. Students, on the other hand, can use these outreach efforts by admissions professionals to get a glimpse at what a large variety of colleges are about. As in any look-over for a potential relationship, these are some basic rules for getting off on the right foot. DO get thyself to the fair. While some of the larger college fairs might seem a little intimidating to students starting the college quest, it’s really quite a painless experience. College reps (or sometimes a local alumnus (or alumna) of the college) would like to meet you and see what you have to offer (just as you’d like to meet them and see what they have to offer). There’s usually a casual, good-natured atmosphere to be had, if you stop to chat for a few minutes, take a brochure, and get yourself on the mailing list. IN OUR HUMBLE OPINION. College fairs are probably the most useful in the fall or winter of your junior year, as that’s the jumping- off point for your search. Any earlier and you’re likely not to be ready to ask the right questions; any later, and you’re beginning to fall behind the pack. DO dress the part. If your school has a dress code, follow it at the fair. If it doesn’t, then just look presentable, i.e. polo or collared shirts, khakis/pants, etc. You don’t need a coat and tie, especially if you’ll be pulling on the collar in discomfort the whole time. You don’t need a party dress, but don’t come straight from the soccer field in your sweaty jersey, or looking like you are on your way to see the Red Hot Chili Peppers. In general, avoid the extremes. DON’T bring the folks (or, at least, DON’T walk around with them). College fairs are meant to be student-to-admission rep interactions. Parents, no matter how well-meaning, interfere with that valuable time (and in the worst case, are seen by the rep as helicopter parents (hovering uncomfortable over their students, or, worse, lawnmower parents (mowing down everything in sight). If your parents have questions, write them down, ask them yourself, Know the “Amusement Park Rule?” Whether it’s Six Flags, Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, or your local waterpark, always head right to the most popular ride as soon as the gates open, because the line will grow ridiculously long very quickly. So too, college fairs, especially in larger cities or when lots of high schools are invited. EXTRA DO. Some college reps will get lots of attention; others might not talk to a single person. Be respectful of a less popular college and its space. Don’t borrow their pen, lean on their table, or block access for students who might want to talk to that college. It’s just polite. and bring a report back to your parents. DO head right for your first choice(s).
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