College Fairs

College fairs give you a chance to get information from a large number of colleges and to meet college admissions representatives. Some fairs feature a wide variety of colleges such as regional and national fairs, while others focus on certain types of colleges such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), military colleges or colleges with strong athletics programs.

To make the most of a college fair, prepare before you go. Think about what's important to you. Do you want a big college or a small college? Do you care about the makeup of the student body? Do you already have a college major in mind?

If you are a freshman or sophomore, you may just want to wander a bit and see all the possibilities. If you are a junior, focus on colleges where you might apply. If you are a senior, use the college fair to make connections at schools where you are applying.

Practical Tips

• Take a pen and notebook to jot down notes right after you talk with college representatives while your memory is fresh.
• Bring a bag for collecting brochures.
• Print address labels with your name, address, phone number, email address, and year of graduation. This will save you time and let you focus on talking with the college representative.
• When you arrive, look at the floor plan and decide which tables you want to visit first.
• Come prepared with your list of questions.
• Check to see if there are informational sessions on topics such as financial aid.
• Pick up business cards of representatives of colleges you like. Keep these cards in case you have questions later

Below is a video slide show from a recent college fair, we think it provides a nice visual guide to what happens at a typical college fair.