Questions To Ask at a College Fair

What Happens at a College Fair?

College fairs are exciting events that allow high school students and their families to explore their options for higher education. These fairs provide a platform for college representatives to share information about their schools, answer questions, and connect with prospective students. High school students should prepare questions to ask at a college fair and obtain information about their prospective colleges. Students might also wonder, “What happens at a college fair?”

Meeting College Representatives

College fairs typically host many college representatives from both in-state and out-of-state schools. These representatives are eager to meet with students and answer any questions they may have about the college, including information about academics, campus life, and financial aid.

Gaining Information

College fairs are a great opportunity for students and their families to learn about the different types of colleges and universities available, including public and private institutions, two-year and four-year schools, and technical and liberal arts colleges. They can also gather information about specific programs and majors offered at each college.

Exploring Different Types of Colleges

College fairs are designed to help students and their families determine which type of college is best for them. For example, they may have the opportunity to meet with representatives from large universities, small liberal arts colleges, and everything in between.

Attending Workshops

College fairs often include workshops and presentations that provide information on the college search and application process, financial aid, and college life. These sessions provide students and their families with valuable insights and tips for navigating the college selection process.

Gathering Brochures and Materials

College fairs provide students and their families with a wealth of informational materials, including brochures, flyers, and catalogs. These materials provide a great way to learn more about the colleges they are interested in and to keep track of the information they gather.

What Are Good Questions to Ask at a College Fair?

Preparing questions to ask at a college fair is a great practice because college fairs present you to admissions staff and put you on their radar. While you should avoid asking the representatives with unnecessary questions, you should at least take time to introduce yourself, inquire about their role, and converse about factors that may be important to you when selecting a college.

Of course, you would want the interaction to be pleasant or sensible, you should prepare questions to help you get started chatting and learning more about what each school has to offer. It can be overwhelming to know where to start and what should you do.

Now, what are good questions to ask at a college fair? Use the following questions as a starting point for questions to ask representatives at college fairs.

General Admissions

• Is there anything specific that your admissions readers look for when reviewing applications?
• What kind of student do you believe would be a good fit at your school?
• Do you prefer Early Decision/Early Action over Regular Decision?
• What are the best ways for a potential student to interact with the admissions office (visit/information session/social media, others)?

Academics

• What distinguishes your school’s XYZ department?
• What is the most popular major at your school?
• Can you share more about this specific major?
• What distinguishes X major at this college from others?
• Do you admit students depending on their major choice?
• Are certain concentrations more competitive for admission than others?
• How reachable are the professors?
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of your school’s average class size?

Extracurricular Activities and Student Organizations

• What extracurricular activities are available to students who are interested in XYZ?
• Is it difficult to get into the X clubs?
• What is the process for students to form their own campus club?
• What options are there for intramural and club sports?
• How involved are students in the neighborhood?

Campus and Social Life

• Is there a strong athletic culture at the school? How does a normal game day look like?
• What is the impact of the existence or absence of Greek life on the campus community?
• What do students usually do on the weekends?
• Could you tell me what you like best about the city/town/area where the school is located?
• What are some of the most popular eateries and stores around campus?
• What about the dorms? Are there any other possibilities for housing?
• Do most students eat in dining halls? How are the dining options?
• What kinds of security measures are in place to keep the campus safe?

Available Resources

• What kinds of assistance is accessible to students?
• What percentage of students receive financial aid or scholarships?
• Is there any financial aid or scholarship programs for certain majors?
• Is applying for jobs on campus easy for students?
• What kinds of career services are available?
• What are some examples of internships available to X majors?
• How are the on-campus libraries?
• How influential is the alumni network of this school?

These are just a few examples of questions to ask at a college fair. You might be interested in learning more about other topics. However, avoid yes/no questions and answers that are easily found with a quick search on the web.

Demonstrate to the school that you are genuinely interested in learning more about their services. It’s important to remember that college fairs are just one part of the college search process, and the information gathered here should be further researched and verified. Also, make sure to bring along a notebook or paper to take notes and keep track of the information gathered from each college representative.

What Should You Do After Attending a College Fair?

Attending a college fair is just the first step in the college search process. Once you have taken advantage of the opportunity to questions to ask at a college fair, gather information and connect with college representatives, it’s important to follow up and continue your research.

You might wonder, “What should you do after attending a college fair?” Here are some steps to take after attending a college fair:

1. Review your notes: Review the notes you took during the college fair, including the information you gathered from the college representatives, and the materials they gave you. This will help you remember what you learned and identify which colleges you are interested in.
2. Research the colleges: Use the information you gathered at the college fair to research the colleges further. Visit their websites, read student reviews, and check out their social media pages to get a better understanding of each college.
3. Reach out to college representatives: If you have specific questions or would like more information about a college, reach out to the representative you met at the college fair. They will be happy to assist you.
4. Visit the campuses: If possible, schedule a visit to the colleges you are interested in. This will give you a better idea of what the campus is like, what the students are like, and what opportunities are available.
5. Narrow down your list: Based on the information you have gathered, narrow down your list of colleges to the ones that are the best fit for you.
6. Apply to your desired schools: Once you have narrowed down your list, begin the college application process. Make sure to check each college’s application portals like the Common App and Coalition App, application requirements, and deadlines.

Attending a college fair is just the beginning of the college search process. By following up and continuing your research, you can gather the information you need to make an informed decision about your future. With the right preparation and follow-up, you will be on your way to finding the best-fit college for you.

Why Should You Attend a College Fair?

If you are in the process of looking for colleges, you should attend at least one college fair. You might be curious “Why should you attend a college fair?” It’s a great place to learn more about colleges of interest and talk to people who have firsthand experience. You can also improve your college search by attending.

Here are some advantages of attending a college fair:

Get Direct Answers From College Representatives

Students can connect with representatives from various colleges at a college fair. This is an excellent opportunity to provide personalized information. Make a list of your questions and ask them to the individuals at the college booth.

Discover New Colleges You May Not Have Known About

It is impossible to research all 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States. Most likely, you would visit a few that you have heard of or that are quite close to your home. By doing so, you may be passing on a college that would have been the ideal fit for you.

When you attend a college fair, you will learn about new colleges that you were previously unaware of. If it seems fascinating, you can find out everything you need to know about it right there.

Re-organize Your Shortlist

“Where should I go to college?” is a major consideration. It is beneficial to concentrate on external parameters. Perhaps you already have a long list of colleges to which you want to apply.

All you need now is a little more information about each institution to narrow down your options. Make a list of what information you need about each institution and use the college fair to gather it firsthand. You might discover that a handful of the colleges on your list were not the best fit after all.

Learn More About Financial Aid

College websites include basic financial assistance information, but they may not contain enough details. If there is specific information you need that will impact your final decision, you can acquire it from the college representative. This will allow you to further modify your shortlist.

Spend Less on Campus Visits

College fairs are not a replacement for campus visits. Nothing replaces a personal visit to a college, and you should visit as many campuses as possible. Visiting all colleges on your shortlist, however, is both costly and impractical.

Attending a college fair gives you an inside look at life on that specific campus. You can also be more particular about which campuses you visit personally now that you have a more focused shortlist, so you are not spending time and money touring universities at random.

College fairs are an excellent chance to become more acquainted with a school you have had your eye on or to meet with institutions that may end up on your list.

While you consider what questions to ask at a college fair, do not forget to concentrate on other aspects of your application profile, because when the time comes, an impressive activities list or supplemental essays could be what gives you the advantage over the competitors. Furthermore, college admissions experts like AdmissionSight can help you stand out from the applicant pool.

At AdmissionSight, we have over 10 years of experience guiding students through the competitive admissions process to get accepted to the top universities in the world. On average, 75% of our students are admitted to an Ivy League university, Stanford, MIT, UChicago, and Caltech, one of the highest track records in the industry. Feel free to set up an appointment today to book your initial consultation.