Juniors: College Fair at Merrimack 5/24
High School Juniors:
There is a regional college fair at Merrimack College on Tuesday, May 24, from 6:30-8:30 pm.
One of the most important things that you can do in the college process is to show interest. Colleges want to admit students who want to go there. They collect data on the number of times that a student is in contact with them. It's important to show a genuine interest, without being overbearing.
One great way that you can do this is by showing up at a college fair. At a regional college fair, there are usually more than 100 colleges and universities that have a booth with information and an admissions representative. This is a perfect opportunity for you to let them know about you, ask questions, and show them that their school is on your list.
Whatever you do, do not just walk by, grab swag, and leave. So many high school students do this. This is not the way to make a good impression.
Even more, DO NOT walk around with friends. Do NOT approach a table with a buddy, a parent, or significant other. This does not show independence and confidence. Admissions counselors will notice this.
Most of all, put away your phone. Interact with people. For an hour or two, be disconnected to be connected.
So, what should you do?
Bring a sling bag or messenger bag. Have two pens (in case one runs out) and a sharpie (to write anything right on the school's admissions catalog.) Bring a small notebook to write down any important info.
Look at the list. Have a game plan. Prioritize by importance. Some schools will always have more visitors than others. If you love Boston College and it's your number one school, patiently wait there. If it's not at the top, move on to another school and then check back in.
Approach the table. Smile. Introduce yourself. State your first and last name, and tell the rep where you are from. Those first few seconds need to be confident and friendly.
If you have already visited the college, let the counselor know that you have been on campus and loved it. Tell them that you are just stopping by to say hi. Share anything new that has happened since you visited. Did you finish a play? How is your sports season going? Did you make it into National Honor Society? Were you asked to be in a select music group? What are your summer plans?
If you haven't been to campus yet, what are your plans to visit? Visiting, especially if the college is in your region, is one of the most important things you can do to show interest.
You also show interest by asking questions. Ask about what is happening on campus this summer. How did the spring go? How are the sports teams doing? Is there any new construction? You'll really impress the counselor if you have done your research by following the school on facebook and twitter and have visited the website. Who was the graduation speaker? What was the reaction?
Use good eye contact and body language. Let them see the real you. You don't want them to see a false version of yourself. No school is worth going to if they don't like the real you.
When you leave, shake hands. Ask for a card. Say thank you for your time.
Being able to have one of these conversations is not an easy skill. It takes practice. The more you do, the better you are. So, if chatting is not in your skill set, be sure to save your top choice school for a little later if you take some time to warm up.
As a follow up, write a thank-you note that week. There is some debate about whether an email or a hand-written note is acceptable. Use your best spelling and grammar.
Contacts, or touches, are one of the best ways to show interest in a school. The college process is competitive. Visiting at a college fair is just one way to give yourself an advantage in the admissions process.
© Cara Parker Photography.
Cara Parker is a graduate of Brooks School, where she had the great fortune of a multi-year comprehensive guided college process. She is also a former faculty member at New Hampton School, where she worked with scholars and athletes in the college application process. While at Merrimack College, Cara had a work study in the Admissions Office. The above advice is a combination of her experiences as a student, a teacher, and a parent.
There is a regional college fair at Merrimack College on Tuesday, May 24, from 6:30-8:30 pm.
One of the most important things that you can do in the college process is to show interest. Colleges want to admit students who want to go there. They collect data on the number of times that a student is in contact with them. It's important to show a genuine interest, without being overbearing.
One great way that you can do this is by showing up at a college fair. At a regional college fair, there are usually more than 100 colleges and universities that have a booth with information and an admissions representative. This is a perfect opportunity for you to let them know about you, ask questions, and show them that their school is on your list.
Whatever you do, do not just walk by, grab swag, and leave. So many high school students do this. This is not the way to make a good impression.
Even more, DO NOT walk around with friends. Do NOT approach a table with a buddy, a parent, or significant other. This does not show independence and confidence. Admissions counselors will notice this.
Most of all, put away your phone. Interact with people. For an hour or two, be disconnected to be connected.
So, what should you do?
Bring a sling bag or messenger bag. Have two pens (in case one runs out) and a sharpie (to write anything right on the school's admissions catalog.) Bring a small notebook to write down any important info.
Look at the list. Have a game plan. Prioritize by importance. Some schools will always have more visitors than others. If you love Boston College and it's your number one school, patiently wait there. If it's not at the top, move on to another school and then check back in.
Approach the table. Smile. Introduce yourself. State your first and last name, and tell the rep where you are from. Those first few seconds need to be confident and friendly.
If you have already visited the college, let the counselor know that you have been on campus and loved it. Tell them that you are just stopping by to say hi. Share anything new that has happened since you visited. Did you finish a play? How is your sports season going? Did you make it into National Honor Society? Were you asked to be in a select music group? What are your summer plans?
If you haven't been to campus yet, what are your plans to visit? Visiting, especially if the college is in your region, is one of the most important things you can do to show interest.
You also show interest by asking questions. Ask about what is happening on campus this summer. How did the spring go? How are the sports teams doing? Is there any new construction? You'll really impress the counselor if you have done your research by following the school on facebook and twitter and have visited the website. Who was the graduation speaker? What was the reaction?
Use good eye contact and body language. Let them see the real you. You don't want them to see a false version of yourself. No school is worth going to if they don't like the real you.
When you leave, shake hands. Ask for a card. Say thank you for your time.
Being able to have one of these conversations is not an easy skill. It takes practice. The more you do, the better you are. So, if chatting is not in your skill set, be sure to save your top choice school for a little later if you take some time to warm up.
As a follow up, write a thank-you note that week. There is some debate about whether an email or a hand-written note is acceptable. Use your best spelling and grammar.
Contacts, or touches, are one of the best ways to show interest in a school. The college process is competitive. Visiting at a college fair is just one way to give yourself an advantage in the admissions process.
© Cara Parker Photography.
Cara Parker is a graduate of Brooks School, where she had the great fortune of a multi-year comprehensive guided college process. She is also a former faculty member at New Hampton School, where she worked with scholars and athletes in the college application process. While at Merrimack College, Cara had a work study in the Admissions Office. The above advice is a combination of her experiences as a student, a teacher, and a parent.
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