Where should students start the information gathering process in their search to find the perfect college? The answer may be very close to home.
Hillsborough High School is hosting its 13th Annual College Fair on Wednesday, March 20th, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Representatives from over 100 colleges, universities, technical schools and the military will be hosting tables filled with materials, and will be available to answer individual questions on any college-related topic. Preceding the College Fair will be a Financial Aid Presentation from 5:30 to 6:30 pm.
Two weeks later, on Tuesday, April 2nd, Mercer County Community College will hold a similar fair from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
On a much larger scale, the Meadowlands in Secaucus will host a National College Fair on Wednesday, April 3rd from 9 am to noon and 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Representatives from about 400 two and four year colleges, nursing schools, business schools, and trade schools will be present to share information and materials and answer questions from students and their parents. There will also be representatives from all branches of the military to discuss R.O.T.C., the military’s enlistment and education programs, the military academies and the GI Bill.
The best news is that admission to all of these fairs is free, so students and parents have the perfect opportunity for “one stop shopping” to gather answers to all of their college-related questions.
To make the most of this opportunity, students should do their homework in advance. They should make a list of the colleges in which they are specifically interested, and questions to which they are seeking answers. Then, when talking to each college representative, students should ask for a business card. Once home, students should email the reps of colleges, thanking them for their time and information and expressing interest in their school. This is the basis of establishing a relationship with the college representative, who is often the same person who will ultimately decide who is accepted to, or rejected from, the school.
Attending a college fair is likewise the perfect opportunity for parents to get answers regarding their concerns – often related to financing a college education.
There is nothing like touring the grounds of a college campus and experiencing, first hand, what the school has to offer. But with more than 3,500 colleges in the U.S., and more than 800 colleges within 300 miles of central New Jersey, students should narrow down their search to potential “good fit colleges” before embarking on their road trips. A local college fair can provide the much-needed information to start a productive college search.
Susan Alaimo is the founder of SAT Smart. For the past 25 years, SAT Smart’s Ivy League educated tutors have prepared students for the PSAT, SAT, ACT, Subject Tests, AP courses, and all high school subjects. Visit www.SATsmart.com or call 908-369-5362.
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