College Fair Information:
Saturday, October 3rd, at San Juan Hills High School
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Why:
The purpose of a fair is exposure– we want students to see that there are so many options beyond the handful of colleges they all seem to gravitate towards. It’s an excellent time to get their questions answered directly from the experts! This is a great opportunity for students who are building their college list to have conversations with reps to determine whether a school is a good fit for them. For seniors, it’s a great time to speak to reps who may be reading their college applications and get last-minute information about programs if they’re still unsure about applying. Some colleges track demonstrated interest, so, a conversation with a rep could help enhance a student’s application for those schools.
How:
The fair is free for all students. We are using StriveScan for fair registration which will generate a unique barcode for each registrant. During the fair, students show their barcode to participating colleges who will scan it to send them more information about their schools. The day after the fair, families will receive a report with information on the colleges with whom they scanned. Students are encouraged to think of questions they want to ask reps prior to the fair. Not all of our colleges will use Strivescan but many will!
Breakout Sessions:
This year, we’ll offer two breakout sessions that are always in high demand. Families can register for sessions here: https://calendly.com/futureology-events. Space is limited.
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UC Admissions Panel at 9:15am: UC Admissions reps will answer commonly asked questions and families will learn more about admissions practices, trends, and recommendations. This is a Pre-Fair Session that is being offered at 9:15am so that families can hear from UC reps and then speak to them individually during the fair.
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Out-of-State for Less! Understanding WUE at 10:15am: More and more CUSD students are opting to go out of state for college! This is a breakout session occurring during the fair where families can learn about the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), a tuition incentive program for students interested in going out of state for college. The guest speaker will explain how WUE works and the benefits of going out of state.
Tips on preparing for the fair:
We want this to be a meaningful experience for families and the best way for that to happen is for them to prepare ahead of time! Here are some suggestions for our families as they plan for the fair:
Before the fair
- Review the list of participating colleges and identify several priorities.
- Research each college’s location, majors, admission requirements, cost, and campus environment.
- Prepare thoughtful questions that cannot easily be answered on the college’s website.
During the fair
- Introduce yourself with your name, grade, and academic interests.
- Ask specific questions about majors, student life, financial aid, internships, and admission.
- Explore unfamiliar colleges to expand your list! Don’t just stick the colleges you know.
- Be respectful, confident, and mindful of other students waiting. (This is a big one for the more popular schools.)
After the fair
- Organize your notes and compare the colleges you visited.
- Visit college websites and join mailing lists for schools that interest you.
- Send a brief thank-you email to representatives with whom you had meaningful conversations.
- Continue researching and schedule campus visits or virtual information sessions when possible.
Additional preparation resources for families: