College Fair Season Gets into Full Swing

Once admissions decisions are mailed, college reps hardly have a moment to breathe before they’re expected to hit the road again for various college fair road shows. In addition to the NACAC Spring College Fairs, colleges will be exhibiting at several local events:

2010 SEC College Fairs
The twelve Southeastern Conference (SEC) member universities will gather for two northern Virginia college fairs. The first is scheduled for Wednesday, April 7, at Oakton High School, in Vienna VA, and the second will follow on April 8, at the Waterford across from Fair Oaks Mall. Both fairs will run from 4:00 to 8:30 p.m. Students are invited to meet with representatives from each of the SEC schools and learn more about their “winning traditions” both on and off the field. Registration is available on the fair website.

Northern Virginia Regional College Fair
Scheduled for April 21st, the Northern Virginia Regional College Fair plans to have 200 colleges and universities exhibit from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in the Patriot Center Arena on the campus of George Mason University. No registration is required.

Colleges That Change Lives
Since 1998, the Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL)—forty colleges and universities dedicated to the support of student-centered college search processes—have been traveling together to meet directly with students and families. In 2010, the CTCL will visit the Washington DC area on May 23, at the Marriott Bethesda North Hotel. The program begins with a 30-minute information session immediately followed by a college fair.

Remember that some fairs offer pre-registration options, but most are walk-in events. You can prepare for the fair by reviewing a list of participating colleges and noting those you wish to visit, including a few less familiar schools. It’s a good idea to print out some “mailing” labels with your name, mailing address, phone number, month and year of high school graduation, and email address. These can be quickly applied to information request cards. And bring a backpack or something similar for carrying all the materials you will be receiving.

Here’s a tip: In addition to admissions information, exhibitors often come equipped with materials introducing summer enrichment opportunities available on campus. Be sure to ask about the availability of summer classes, camps, or other similar programs when meeting with the admissions rep staffing the exhibit.