Do's and Don'ts of College Fairs

With the start of a new school year, juniors and seniors will probably be receiving, if not have already received, information about college fairs. So what exactly is a college fair and what is it for?

A brochure or website can only tell you so much about a college. Just as you may go to the store to try on shoes before purchasing a pair, an important purpose of a college fair is to see whether it's the right fit for you. You have the ability to get a feel for many colleges at once without actually visiting all the campuses, which can be a very powerful tool when narrowing down where to place your efforts. On the other end, you may find that your prospective colleges list expands, as lesser-known schools are also at college fairs to advertise their programs to future students.

We at Stratton Advantage believe college fairs are more than just an opportunity to learn more about schools. We believe college fairs are your first chance to stand out amongst your peers in the eyes of admissions. This is your first opportunity to make an impression so strong on an admissions representative that months later, when thousands of applications are rolling in, he/she can pick up your application package and put a face to your name. With that in mind let’s look a few dos and don’ts of how to stand out at college fairs:

Do get to know new schools.
This may be an opportunity to get a leg up with admission to your dream school, but don’t neglect the other schools in attendance. Talk to schools you’ve never heard of. You never know, there may be a hidden gem.

Don’t ask *boring* questions about information you can find online.
Some of these questions include; what is the average GPA/SAT of admitted students? Do you offer programs in (fill in the blank) field? Do you offer study abroad opportunities? Notice how these are single word answers that spark no real conversations.

Do ask personal questions that may challenge the representative.
Ask questions that directly relate to you. Tell them about your interests and hobbies and ask about what clubs are available on campus and which are most popular. Are you a flying enthusiast? Ask about a flying club. Did you play sports in high school, but you’re not ready to retire just yet? Ask about intramurals and whether the school offers different leagues of varying competitive levels. Have you got a passion for music and the arts? Ask for details about how to get involved. Notice how these questions can open up an in-depth conversation about what the school has to offer and can even lead to contacts within the programs you're interested.

Don’t be a bystander.
A lot of people go to college fairs because they feel like they’re supposed to and think they’ll learn a lot listening in on other people’s conversations. While listening to other people’s questions is certainly helpful, don’t be afraid to speak up and ask your own. No question is a bad question, but again, avoid the ones that only yield one-word responses.

Do introduce yourself.
This comes without saying, but too often I see students ask questions without a handshake or telling the admissions representative their name. I remember when a representative from Princeton came to my high school and many of us crowded around her. Most of us were the bystanders mentioned above, just listening to her answer other students' questions. One girl came forward, stuck out her hand, and said with a big smile, "Hi, I’m Alicia." Alicia is now entering her third year at Princeton.

Do keep in touch.
After each conversation, be sure to initiate a handshake, tell the admissions representative your name again, and ask for their business card. This is probably the most crucial step. At this point, when they look at your face, they can put a name to it. Go home and email them; just a simple thank you note is plenty. Keep in touch. Hopefully in a few months when they pick up your application and see your name, your face will still come to mind.

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Kolleen Lee is a Presidential Scholarship recipient with a degree in English and Aerospace Engineering. While at USC, she built radio-controlled airplanes from scratch and was an associate editor at Illumin Magazine. After graduating, she took her talents to the beautiful Pacific Northwest where she is a Product Development engineer at Boeing. Her passion for mentoring and creative writing are both valuable traits for college applications. That English degree comes in handy when breaking down the essay portion of every application. She is also working on her first book! You can contact Kolleen by emailing kolleen@strattonadv.co.

Stratton Advantage is a Seattle-based college admissions counseling firm that provides start-to-finish guidance and expertise on the college application process. Stratton Advantage works with all years of high school students from around the world and its approach is unique. You work with a team that includes a primary college counselor, a strategist, and a blind reader; that's three people ensuring that you put your best foot forward. To learn more or to schedule your free 30-minute consultation, visit their website www.strattonadv.com or email info@strattonadv.co