WHAT HAPPENS AT A COLLEGE FAIR?

Updated December 1, 2022 · 1 Min Read

Are you debating whether or not to attend your school's upcoming college fair? If your school is holding a college fair that is free for all of the students to attend, it is important to learn what happens at a fair and what you should expect as an attendee. A college fair is not like ...

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Are you debating whether or not to attend your school's upcoming college fair? If your school is holding a college fair that is free for all of the students to attend, it is important to learn what happens at a fair and what you should expect as an attendee.

A college fair is not like a community fair that is held in cities and towns throughout the nation, rather it is a gathering where prospective college students can come face to face with admissions representatives from a wide variety of post-secondary colleges. When you attend, you can gather the materials from different schools you have been thinking about applying to and ask the hard-hitting questions to representatives so that you can choose which schools will earn your application. Read on and learn what you can expect to happen.

What You Will Discuss at a College Fair

If the fair is being held at your school, generally you will walk into the auditorium that is filled with tables and exhibits all representing a different college or university. At each table, there will be an admissions representative that is employed by the school waiting for you to approach so that they can answer all of your questions and explain why their school could be your dream school. Depending on the area, there could be dozens of schools or hundreds of different institutions there with representation just fighting to get your attention as a student.

As a student who is looking for the best school, you should walk up and down the aisles and discuss your options with all of the representatives. You should be surprised and find that a university you would never have considered is ideal for you based on their degree and extracurricular programs. Each time you stop by a booth, you have the freedom to ask any admissions question that comes to mind. Some of the common topics of discussion include:

  • Financial aid for dependent and independent students
  • Application process for grants and aid
  • College majors that are offered at the university/college
  • Admissions requirements that are upheld by the school
  • When college entrance testing is held and what the deadlines are

How to Prepare to Get the Most from your College Fair

Now that you see what a great opportunity you have to speak with representatives, it is important to prepare so that you can ask all of the right questions. It is best to visit the fair's site to see which colleges will be attending so that you can highlight which booths to spend the most time at. You should also make a list of the questions you need to ask so that you do not forget while you are on the spot. Bring a pen and paper to take notes, and always take the materials they offer at the booth.

When you arrive at the college fair, get a map and see where the colleges that are at the top of your list are located. Find out what makes each school special, and see which schools will cater to things that you find important. Many schools have information sessions before the fair. Attending this session can help you answer basic questions so that the fair can cover topics that were not discussed. Research schools that interest you and after the college fair set up a campus visit to see if it is the right place for you to attend.

Related: Finding College Fairs Using the Internet

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