1. 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)

2. 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.)

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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?

9. 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….

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