Master the College Visit & Fair: From Captive to Client! What are these things about? Is it painful? Helps you get the information you need to pick universities right for you (fit) Make a good impression on the representative, who may read your app From the college side: generate apps from a targeted groups of students: fit + recruiting raise your interest level vs. other schools reduce application mistakes and increase app quality provide you with a contact in process (sometimes)

College Visits to GCM More than 80 from September-November Variety: in/out state, arts, academies, technicals, etc. Find Calendar and Register Blackboard/Family Connection college homepage calendar facebook/twitter Other types of local college visits, go online (coffee shops, etc.)

Your Outcomes Should Be: Get your questions answered Make a good impression Provide demonstrated interest, if used (contact cards, sign-in sheets) 4. Build your confidence for longer interactions

What happens at these things? Normal Steps Rep talks about school profile, programs fun facts admissions, apps financial aid You ask questions May ask you about your interests Fill out contact cards or scan you and give you material

How to do your best: Prepare Questions to Ask Cover the Basics Ask a question that shows you’ve thought about how you fit at the school Cover the Basics Go over checklist: get info; tell about self (if smaller group); get contact info Body language, speech and dress (next slide) Questions to Ask special programs/majors advising tracks, 3-2s, abroad, co-ops, IB credit, etc characteristics or types sought - “involved”, “leader”, etc. scholarship, aid opportunities and deadlines - esp. out-state core curriculum and required courses and programs diversity (not just non-white) college

The Don’ts wear another school’s shirt ask “where is your school anyway” over-share your faults or mistakes and bad grades be a wallflower try to sound like an adult

Presenting Yourself Verbally know what you want to get across be brief and clear speak in your own words, not too academic or old but also appropriate volume level normal for group size use natural enthusiasm level unless you are very low key know when to listen Physically introduce self sit near and face rep sit upright, open and appropriately use listening skills: nods, eye contact, affirming, note-taking say goodbye follow up with thank-you note if small school or have questions

Questions & Icebreakers Get ‘Em Talking what are some of the programs you have that other schools don’t? what does your campus look like on the weekends? tell me about some of the most important traditions of your school what are some of the opportunities you always wished you took more advantage of in college? what are some of the things your career program does to help students find their first job? if I visit campus or town, what are some things I shouldn’t miss? Zingers what percentage of classes are under 20 students? what’s the average size of grants (not loans) that you give out? how many of your graduates are employed in the field of their study after graduation? what are the average starting salaries for graduates in my area of interest? do you use financial need as a factor in admissions? what type of students do you have a hard time attracting and keeping on campus what skills or backgrounds are in demand at your school? what is your grad school placement in my major?

Selling the You The 30-second version (Elevator Pitch): My name is…....and I’m a student at…….My favorite subjects are…because.....and outside of school I really enjoy…....Some of the things I’m looking for in a college are…. The 60-sec. version (“Tell me a little bit about yourself”) Above, and….I think some of my strengths are…..and my friends (or my teachers) describe me as someone who...something that a lot of people don’t know about me is….I see myself in 5 or 10 years doing….

Discussion & Next Steps Share best vs. worse experience Schedule some more fairs/visit now! Practice with some mock exchanges and virtual visits