Helpful Tips for Attending High School Visits and College Fairs From an Admissions Counselor’s Point of View

Hi everyone! My name is Neha Parthasarathy and I’m one of the admissions counselors here at Furman University. This role has shown me the importance of making sure students understand all the nooks and crannies of the college search process. As a former educator, I know that the more information we can offer prospective students, the more seamless their journey to finding their college home will be. 

A big part of that process is learning about the events outside of the application process; high school visits and college fairs serve as crucial touchpoints in the college search process for students. They offer a unique chance for students to interact directly with college representatives, ask questions, and gather information that isn’t always available online. I’ve had the privilege of visiting high schools and college fairs across the country. Here are the tips that I would offer students as they begin navigating their college journey:  

High School Visits:

High school visits are when college counselors come directly to your school to meet with you. These visits are perhaps the most individualized face-to-face time you’ll get with a counselor prior to applying because the visit volume is smaller. Often, the visits are just the college counselor and a group of 5-8 students. Your high school’s counseling office or college counselor should have a list of these visits ahead of time so you can plan accordingly. Here are some good dos and don’ts for a high school visit:  

DO

• Use the time to talk about your passions and interests; mention activities that mean a lot to you and ask if the attending college provides similar activities. If you have a resume, bring a copy and provide it to the admissions representative.  
• Bring a notebook and jot down notes during your conversations. This will help you remember specific details about each college and make it easier to compare them later. 

Don’t

• Forget to properly introduce yourself. Due to the smaller nature of high school visits, a clean and crisp introduction can help you stand out when meeting with admissions representatives. 
• Stay silent during these meetings. Ask as many questions as you can, especially any questions you may have about individual programs or services at colleges.  

Note: Remember that if your college of choice is unable to make a school visit, there usually ARE virtual events available. Look up the school you want to attend or email your admissions counselor to see if there are alternate ways for you to engage if you can’t get face to face time with a college representative!

College Fairs:

College fairs are a lot like the “malls,” of the college search process. These events can be overwhelming with the sheer number of schools represented, so creating an effective plan to make sure your evening is productive is definitely encouraged. Here’s how to navigate fairs effectively with some helpful do’s and don’ts:  

DO

• Plan your route. At college fairs, there are so many schools you may want to visit—so make sure you have an idea of which schools you’d like to speak to before arriving. Otherwise, you may not get a chance to visit the tables you’d like before lines start to form.
• Pay attention when speaking to college representatives. It’s easy to get distracted and start looking around because there is a lot of activity happening around you while you’re speaking—if you appear distracted or not interested, the representative will take note. Make eye contact, speak clearly, and make sure your conversation is intentional, even if it does end up being a shorter chat.   
• Follow up! Counselors can potentially meet hundreds of students depending on the length and size of the fair. If there is a school that you really want to attend—go the extra mile by getting the representative’s card and emailing them afterward if you have any questions or just want to say hello.  
• Bring a bag for all your college swag!  

Don’t

• Waste all your time at the fair standing in line for one school! Make sure you pace yourself accordingly so that you can at least get a few minutes of facetime with each college you’re interested in attending.  

Note: College fairs are also a great place to compare schools. If you’re interested in several different schools and they are all at a college fair, you can get a quick idea of their similarities and differences to research further!

In closing, here’s a question for you: what does the college search process have in common with an iceberg? The answer: there’s more to each than meets the eye. High school visits and college fairs are invaluable opportunities for both students and colleges. Hopefully this blog provides an insider’s perspective on making the most of high school visits and college fairs so you can attend a college that best fits your needs!