Mawr Insight: College Fairs 101

Before attending a college fair, take some time to research the participating institutions — create a list of colleges aligning with your academic interests, career goals, and location preferences. Tip: Not sure where to find local college fairs? NACAC College Fairs is a great place to start. Prioritize visiting these booths to gather information and ask questions, but don’t rule out a school that intrigues you, just because you’ve never heard of it—keep an open mind! 

• Before the fair, make a list of questions to ask representatives for the schools you’re most interested in. Although your parents might have questions of their own, don’t be afraid to chime in with your own — no question is too small!  

• Is this a StriveScan Fair? If so, you’ll want to make sure you register and charge a smart device for scanning or print out your StriveScan barcode, for representatives to scan.  

• Since college fairs involve a lot of walking, you’ll want to wear comfortable shoes!  

Colleges typically have a selection of pamphlets, fact sheets, and other informative materials at the booths that may interest you. Carry a notebook, folder, and pen to jot down important information. Collect brochures and business cards and keep any materials you receive organized in a (large) bag. Those pamphlets and viewbooks pile up quickly, and later you'll wish you had easy access to all the brochures and information you collected!  

• Introduce yourself and chat with us, we want to meet you! Academic programs, student life, merit scholarships & financial aid, are all great in-points for conversation.  

• Be open-minded throughout the interaction — don’t rule out a school before gaining enough information, you might surprise yourself!     

• Take notes during or after your conversations with college representatives to document key points and information. Record any unique application requirements, or contact information provided by the representatives for future reference. 

• Done meeting everyone on your list? Consider chatting with a few other schools that you aren’t as familiar with. You might surprise yourself!

After the college fair, it’s never a bad idea to follow up with the colleges that made a positive impression on you. Send thank you emails to the admissions representatives you spoke with expressing your gratitude for their time and insights. Use this opportunity to ask any additional questions or seek clarification on any matters discussed during the fair. If they mentioned a particular program that interests you, say that!  

Take time to reflect on your experiences at the college fair and evaluate the information you gathered. (This is where your spreadsheet will come in handy.) Consider how each college aligns with your academic and financial priorities. Talk to your college counselor, a friend, or a parent, about your list. This reflection process will help you narrow down your list of potential colleges and make informed decisions about your future academic pursuits.