Once you hear about an upcoming fair, go online to the sponsoring organization’s website and register for it. Note the date, time and location on your calendar. When the time comes:
1. Before you go, identify the colleges you want to visit. Or once you arrive at the college fair venue, get a list of the colleges and circle the ones you want to visit.
2. Bring a copy of The Fiske Guide (or another guide) to write down notes about what you find out from the rep on the college page of each school you visit.
Hint: It will also be very useful to have highlighted in one color what you like and in another color what you don’t like about each school so that you have some knowledge about each school and what to say should the college rep ask you why you are interested in his/her school.
3. As you approach a booth or table, say something such as this:
You: “Hi, my name is (your name) and I’m a junior (or sophomore) at (your high school). As I have researched colleges, I found that I am very interested in your school. I’m wondering if you
have a minute to answer a few questions.”
4. Ask questions that you really want to have answered. Here are some possibilities:
• Can you tell me something about the campus atmosphere at your school? What happens during the day, evenings, (during the week and weekends?)
• What kinds of students tend to go to your school (serious academics, athletes, techys, party goers, environmentally conscious people, preppies, funky/unconventional people)?
• Do most students live on campus? If no, where do they live?
• What are the dorms like?
• What do student like most about your college? What do students tend to complain about?
• What is the usual class size? How accessible are professors?
