Panther Ready
How to "work" a college fair
What is a college fair?
“A college fair is a gathering of college representatives who are looking for the right students for their institutions. They’re there to spread the word about their college to high school students — and they want to talk to you…. The representatives usually sit at booths or tables and hand out brochures and cards. They can tell you about everything from academics to campus life at their college, and they can also answer more-general questions about college.”
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/find-colleges/how-to-find-your-college-fit/college-fair-checklist
DCHS College Fair for Juniors
Thursday, Mar 10, 2016, 08:45 AM
Daviess County High School, New Hartford Road, Owensboro, KY, United States
Go into the college fair with a plan….
Before Thursday
· Check out https://tinyurl.com/KYstudy
This will take you to a list of areas of study (everything from plumbing to pre-med) and show you every school in Kentucky that offers that training so you can plan which booths to visit. If a college you’re interested in is not at the fair and you need help setting up a college visit, you can work with your guidance counselor or email an appointment request to Ms. Colbert at Susan.Colbert@Daviess.KYschools.us to schedule a time to talk.
· Make a list of questions you can ask the college reps (see below)
At the college fair, do this!
· Know that the admissions reps (the people behind the tables) have the power to “lose” your application. Be ultra-polite to them and to other attendees.
· If an admissions counselor is inundated with students vying for attention:
o add your name and contact information to the mailing list
o get some materials and a business card
o move on to a less crowded table.
o You can email the counselor for more information. Ms. Colbert will even help you compose the email.
· Locate the schools you’re interested in right away.
· Talk to schools that you’re not currently considering if they offer something you’re interested in. There are a lot of great schools besides the “big-name” schools. You may not have heard of a school that is top-notch!
· Introduce yourself.
· Ask questions. Before going, think of the type of information you want to know. Here are a few sample questions you might consider. You can research more sample questions online.
o What kind of student are you looking for?
o What makes your campus special?
o Will professors or grad students teach my classes?
o Are there any scholarship secrets you can share?!
o When looking at applications, do you give greater weight to scores and GPA or activities?
Do NOT do this :(
· Do not ask for information you can easily find on line (like where the college is or whether they offer _______ major).
· Do not hang out talking to friends instead of talking to admissions reps.
· Do not walk around in a circle talking to friends instead of talking to admission reps.
· Do not think this isn’t for you because you can’t afford college. If this describes you, make an appointment to see Ms. Colbert or your guidance counselor to look for a solution.
· Do not think this isn’t for you because you’re going into a trade. There will be schools and organizations there that offer training in various trades.
After the fair
· Write a thank-you note to the admissions reps you speak with. Thank them for attending the fair, let them know you enjoyed speaking with them and that you’re very interested in attending their school. Keep it short, polite and professional. You can email the thank-you note.
A few of the college and financial aid reps you'll meet...
In no particular order:
1. Cottey College……………………………………………………………..................Sandy Allgood
2. Sullivan University (Louisville campus)…………………..Steve Gocke/Amanda Cook
3. University of Alabama……………………………………...................................…Alana Karl
4. Ivy Tech………………………………….....................……………………..………......Sarah Heath
5. OCTC…………………………………………………………....……....Charles Johnson/Taryn Rice
6. UPS Metro College…………………………………………...........................….......Sue Bruner
7. University of the Cumberland’s………………………….................................Gine’ Baker
8. KWC…………………………………………………………………………........….......Chase Durrance
9. EKU………………………………………………………………...................……….…...Fe’Lisa Wilson
10. Brescia………………………………………….……………….....................…......Christy Rohner
11. U of L School of Nursing…………………………………..................…….………..Terri Knott
12. WKU-O………………………………………………………....................……………….…Susan Free
13. Centre College………………………………..…………..…..........................Kendra Montejos
14. University of South Carolina……………………..…....................…...Christopher McCoy
15. WKU………………………………………………………….........................…….John-Mark Francis
16. Campbellsville University……………………….…..........................…..…Marcus Rodgers
17. Midway University…………………………...........................………………..Darcy Brumback
18. Hanover College………….……………................................………………….…..Jane Stormer
19. University of Southern Indiana……………........................……………Sarah Shoemaker
20. Spalding University………………………………........................…………..…….Rachel Hagan
21. SBTS………………………………………………………............……………..……..Hannah Hamilton
22. Kentucky State University…………………....................…………………….Shana McCombs
23. University of Evansville……………..……...............................………………..Kenton Hargis
24. Berea……………………………..…………………..............................……………..Ashley Thomas
25. University of Kentucky……………………………………..................………..Grace Thompson
26. Lindsey Wilson……………………………………………….............……………Jessica Wethington
27. University of Louisville…………………………..........…………Nate Gilbert/Donna Robbins
28. Murray State University…………………………….........................…..………..Jennifer Young
29. Asbury…………………………………………………………...................….…….......Jeremiah Gonia
30. Transylvania……………………………………………..............................……………..Sarah Guinn
31. St. Catherine College……………………………………......Chase Spalding/Ashley Dudgeon
32. KHEAA……………………………………………………................................…………………Casi Clark
33. Miami University (Ohio)…………………...................................…….……….…Amy Hoffman
34. Cincinnati Christian University…………………...........................………………....BJ Santiago
35. School of Advertising Art………………………….........................………………....Nate Hansen