College and Career Fair

Make the Most Out of a College Fair

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MAKE A GAME PLAN

Get familiar with the list of colleges that will be at the fair. The list is often published online, and colleges are usually setup alphabetically.

Which college representatives do you want to meet? What colleges are attending that align with your priorities? Make sure to talk with them!

ASK QUALITY QUESTIONS

If a college rep can clearly see you are interested and familiar with the school, that impression can have a huge impact. A few thoughtful, well-researched questions are best. If you can find the answer on their website (like, “Where is your school located?”), ask something else.

TALK TO UNFAMILIAR SCHOOLS

It’s okay to approach a school you are unfamiliar with. Seize the opportunity to learn about new schools, understanding that one of these new schools just might be the perfect place for you! College reps love to tell you about their school. If you see a rep alone at a table, approach them!

PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE

Be prepared to talk about yourself and what you are looking for in a potential college. Tell the rep about your aspired career path what excites you and concerns you about college. If a rep gets to know you, they will be better equipped to tell you how their school might be a match for you!

GATHER (AND USE) CONTACT INFORMATION

When you’ve asked all your questions and (hopefully) feel good about the college rep you just spoke with, be sure to ask them for their contact information and use it if you have more questions after you’ve left the fair.

QUESTIONS TO ASK AT A COLLEGE FAIR

1. What do students like most about your school?
2. What is the biggest complaint from students?
3. What kinds of students are happiest at your school?
4. Where do students hang out on campus?
5. Do students mostly live on or off campus?
6. What financial aid programs does your college offer?
7. What academic programs are your most popular?
8. Do admission officers make decisions solely on numbers and stats, or do extracurricular activities play a role?
9. How would you describe the academic pressure and workload?
10. How does your career planning department compare to other colleges/universities?
11. What are the faculty like and how accessible are they outside of class?
12. Are there internships available specific to my major?
13. Is there job placement help for graduates?
14. Are you able to give me the names of a few students that I can talk to about their experience at your school?

WHAT TO DO AFTER THE FAIR

Sort through and organize the information and notes you gathered at the fair. Send the college reps you spoke with a thank-you email and ask any follow-up questions you have. Keep it short, polite, and professional.

Future step: begin scheduling campus visits!

Attendance List - April 15, 2025

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