by Julia Surtshin, Surtshin College Counseling, Portland Oregon

If you’re like tens of thousands of other high school students, sometime during your college search you’ll attend a college fair. College fairs allow you to “visit” colleges from California to Ohio and from Maine to Mississippi in one easy stop.

Thoughtful preparation is key to having a successful college fair experience.  If you want to leave the fair feeling confident, optimistic and energized, you’ve got to do your homework before you leave home. First, develop a "shopping list" of the characteristics you want and need in your future college, and identify some colleges that potentially meet your criteria using guidebooks and web resources. Then, check to see if any of the colleges you've identified will be present at the college fair. College fairs generally publish a list of colleges scheduled to attend several weeks in advance, and many colleges also publish a list of the college fairs they'll be attending on their admissions websites.

Before the fair, develop a list of two to three questions that you will ask each of the colleges you talk to during the fair. College fairs are very busy places, so Admissions representatives generally won't be able to talk with you at length, but if you go armed with specific questions, you'll be able to make the most of your time with each representative.   

Some potential questions to ask admissions representatives at college fairs include:

• In your opinion, what makes your college unique?
• How would you characterize a typical student at your college?
• What do you like best about your college?
• If you could change one thing about your college, what would it be?
• What can you tell me about the unique features of my intended major or majors that interest me at your college?
• Your website says something that conflicts with what I've read in guidebooks. Could you explain these differences?

What not to ask:  College fairs are not the place to ask questions about your chances of admission, whether your test scores are high enough, or how much financial aid you might receive.  Without carefully reviewing your completed application and family financial data, college admissions reps can't give you meaingful answers to these questions. 

Visit the colleges that interest you most first, rather than trying to stop at every college at the fair.  Resist the urge to "cruise" the fair, picking up brochures at every booth.  You'll get overwhelmed and most of the materials you pick up will likely just end up in your trash can once you get home.

However, if a school is of genuine interest, be sure to take the time to fill out the information request cards that colleges will have on their tables.  This gets you on the college's mailing list for updated information. Tip: Before the fair, pre-print labels with your name, address and email information to bring to the fair, so you won't have to spend time at the fair writing the information by hand.

Many college fairs also offer information sessions where students and parents can learn about the application process, financial aid basics, and writing essays.  Because your time at the fair will be limited, it can be helpful to take a "divide and conquer" approach. While you meet with admissions representatives, ask your parents to attend and take notes on presentations for you.

If you approach college fairs thoughtfully, you can connect with colleges that interest you, and perhaps discover a few schools that weren't on your radar.  Plan ahead, spend your time at the fair wisely, and when the fair is over, pat yourself on the back for taking a step forward towards developing your college list.

About the author: Julia Surtshin, M.S., is a Certified College Planner, founder of Surtshin College Counseling in Portland, Oregon, and a member of the Higher Education Consultants Association.

© Julia Surtshin, Used by the Higher Education Consultants Association with permission. May not be copied or distributed without the permission of the author.