College Fairs

College Fairs - are they worth it?

So many booths, so much paper, so little time!!!!!

I think college fairs are worth it if they are done right. You need to look around and figure out which colleges you are interested in. Take a pass through all of the aisles, collect the pretty brochures and sit down. Split them into not interested, maybe and definitely yes. Throw out the nos and most of the maybes. Then take the yes material with you.

Go back and visit the 5-10 or so schools you choose. Then you should talk to the people at the booth, ask them questions about the dorms, the schools, financial aid, retainage of freshman, upper class housing, anything that interests you. Ask for a business card from the person you are talking to and hang on it.

My daughter did what I described above and she can home with free applications (they waived the fee) and also so really good information about the schools.

She also took the business cards and wrote thank you notes to the admissions officers. She was able to get in touch with them and ask questions. She got free applications to the rest of schools by doing this. Also, she moved up on their lists because she was interested and engaged.

Try it, you will find you can get a lot out of college fairs!