Navigating A College Fair How to Make the Most of the College Fair

Representatives from many different colleges are gathered together in one place in order to provide you with information about their institution. What is A College Fair?

How to Prepare for the College Fair  Think about what you want in a college  Look through the list of colleges attending  Are there any you are already considering?  Are there others that meet your criteria?  Know your g.p.a and test scores

 Start off by introducing yourself (“Hi, my name is …. I’m a junior at XXX High School”).  Have specific questions (some will be provided)  Fill out information cards (if available)  Thank them and ask them for their business card How To Talk to College Reps

 Admission requirements  What a typical admitted student looks like –  GPA  Curriculum  SAT/ACT  Required high school preparation & testing  Application deadline  Role of activities, recommendations, and/or interviews So What Would I Ask?

Questions about Academics  Academic programs  Specific majors that you are considering  Popular majors  When do you have to choose a major?  Availability of internships  Size of classes (esp. freshman year)  Availability of professors & support services  Career placement

 Financial aid & scholarships  Cost of tuition, room & board (food)  Financial aid deadline & required forms  Merit scholarships & application procedures  Activities that interest you  Housing & other facilities  Campus visits & open houses  The surrounding city or neighborhood  ANYTHING ELSE THAT INTERESTS YOU! More questions …

After the College Fair  Look through the materials & your notes  Weed out colleges that aren’t a good fit  Follow up with colleges of interest –  Return information cards  the representative with questions  Look into visit options  Do more research  Meet with your counselor if you have questions

Things you should know before the fair

1.To study in an intellectual environment and get smart! 2.To pursue a career or employment opportunity that requires college-level training and skills development. 3.To increase earning potential ($ MONEY $) 4.To pursue a higher quality of life for themselves and their families 5.To meet new people, have new experiences, and discover new interests 6.To achieve self-discovery and figure out your purpose 7.To acquire the social and/or career status and mobility often associated with a college education Why Go to College

 an institution offering instruction usually in a professional, vocational, or technical field  Colleges = offer undergraduate programs ONLY (Associates and Bachelors) with a few exceptions  Universities = offer undergraduate and graduate programs (Masters, Ph.D., J.D., M.D, etc.) often a collection of colleges To avoid fraud make sure the web address ALWAYS ends with.edu Definition of College

 Associates Degree = 2 years beyond high school  Bachelors Degree = 4 years beyond high school  Masters Degree = 5-6 years beyond high school  J.D.(Juris Doctor) = Law school 3 years beyond a bachelors  M.D. (medical doctor) = 4-10 years beyond a bachelors (time required depends on your specialization)  Ph.D. (doctoral degree) = 4-7 years beyond a bachelors Types of Degrees

College Selectivity

Questions??