Make the most of college fairs with these tips

Fall in New Hampshire means fairs and more fairs! If you’re headed to college or thinking about it, you can hit up one of the college fairs in the area. Here are some tips for making the most of them, from Matt Wallace, Granite Edvance’s Vice President of Education and Career Pathways.  

Know what to expect 

Think of college fairs as the large end of a funnel, Matt explained. They’re a chance to get a taste of many colleges at one time so you can start narrowing down the list of schools you want to visit and/or apply to. Most have diverse representation from various trade schools, colleges, and universities in the region – and sometimes, from outside the region. Some fairs offer workshops or activities in addition to the college booths. The atmosphere is usually crowded, and you’re likely to go home with a lot of free stuff.  

Be prepared 
 

• Get a list of the schools that will be in attendance so you can make a game plan for which ones you want to learn more about. Make a list of questions to ask the college reps. Need help? Check out our Admissions Insider.  

• Bring a bag or folder, suggests Matt. You’ll likely pick up a lot of brochures, handouts, and maybe even some swag, so it’s helpful to have something to keep it all organized. 

• Another pro tip from Matt: If you can, bring pre-printed labels with your name, contact information, high school, graduation year, and intended major(s). This can save time when filling out inquiry cards, and it helps ensure colleges can read your info — especially helpful if your handwriting isn’t the neatest!  

• Create a separate email account for the communications you’ll receive from colleges. Make sure the email address sounds professional and consider giving access to this new account to a parent/guardian or whoever is helping you with your college search so you can all stay up to date. 

Network like a pro 

• Make a good impression. It’s important to know that the college rep you meet at the college fair may be the same person who reads your application. Dress appropriately, introduce yourself, and ask for their business card so you can follow up. 

• Be savvy. If you provide your information at a table, you’ll likely receive emails and printed mail from that school. “Only share your info if you’re interested in hearing more,” Matt said. Remember, if you don’t provide your information now, you can always visit a college’s website later and complete the form if you decide you want to be added.  However, if you’re already receiving communications from a school, it’s still a good idea to fill out another card to ensure your information is up to date.   
• Stay open-minded. While it’s smart to head into the fair knowing which schools you’re interested in, it’s also good to stay flexible at this stage of the game. You may encounter schools or programs you hadn’t heard about before that could be a great fit!