For many students, choosing where to go to college can be overwhelming. Researching hundreds of options online and not knowing what to look for can be a daunting task, but that is what a college fair is all about. College fairs give students valuable opportunities to explore different school options rather than endlessly scrolling through universities online.
While attending a college fair, students can meet with a college’s representatives and ask specific questions relating to potential degree paths and courses students may want to pursue. However, students may not have the background knowledge to know what questions to ask. James Keeton, the college and career counselor at Edmond Memorial, provides students with suggested questions to guide them during college fairs.
“It is better to ask, ‘how many students are admitted to the school of pharmacy each semester?’ or ‘What academic supports are available for students who struggle in their courses?’” Keeton said. “I also like to ask something more personal of the [representative], like ‘What do you love about the school that might not be in a brochure?’ or ‘What is your best advice for a student trying to pick a college?’”
Speaking personally with a representative provides students with a better chance to see what campus life is like in the eyes of someone who works there every day. Senior teachers also tend to have vast knowledge on colleges in general, because they are around seniors throughout the year. Sara Nichols, one of the AP government teachers at Memorial reflects on the usefulness of college fairs..
“The biggest advantage for students to attend [college fairs] is being able to receive all of the information and resources from each college and being able to compare each school to find the best options and fit for them,” Nichols said. “Goals and dreams can at times feel far away and not easily achievable, but college fairs help make them attainable.”
These fairs are just the first step to looking at colleges. Students can also schedule college visits to go on a tour of the campuses that someone is interested in. Jackson Pollard, one of the student council members here at Memorial, attended a college fair recently.
“Sometimes information can be a challenge to find and college websites are not the most user-friendly,” Pollard said. “For me, the college fair really put into perspective that every college is different, and my goals are better suited by maybe another college.”
Learning about colleges early can prepare one for the future. This is probably one of the biggest decisions a person can make, because receiving a good education is just the foundation for the rest of one’s life.
Contact Wes Matlock at [email protected]
