What's it like going to a college event at somebody else's high school?

[Anonymous]

So this came up in our house because we're getting nonstop mailings. Recent one suggested going to an event for 4 universities at Landon.

What's it like to go to a college-promoting event that's at a high school if you aren't a family at that school? Do people look at you like you're crazy? Welcome you in and think nothing of it? Anyone have experience with the high-school-college-fair circuit on these points?

[Anonymous]

During the evening or school day? During the school day might be odd, but if it's a generally advertised evening event that just happens to be hosted at a particular school, I wouldn't think twice about going.

[Anonymous]

I don't think the colleges would invite students from outside of the hosting school if it wasn't appropriate to do so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So this came up in our house because we're getting nonstop mailings. Recent one suggested going to an event for 4 universities at Landon.

What's it like to go to a college-promoting event that's at a high school if you aren't a family at that school? Do people look at you like you're crazy? Welcome you in and think nothing of it? Anyone have experience with the high-school-college-fair circuit on these points?

Why would they look at you like you're crazy? I'm confused.

[Anonymous]

I just imagine coming to the front door (afterschool event) and saying "my kid got an invite to a college event at your school. No he is not a student. Can we come in?"

Would this get a wave and a nod or skepticism? Is it commonly done?

[Anonymous]

High schools often host large college fairs (evenings typically, could be a weekend) that are open to all area students, not just their own students. It’s not weird. Our school encourages juniors and seniors to attend these at whatever school is hosting.

[Anonymous]

The evening visits are promoted to all of the students in the area and it does not matter at all to the hosting school. In fact, the one my kid attended had more kids who did not go to the host school. I think they are totally fine and make sense in this environment, where schools are spending less time visiting kids out in the field because there are just so many applicants that getting to know them all is impossible.

[Anonymous]

Appreciate knowing this. Don't want kid going into a lions den and hating me for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just imagine coming to the front door (afterschool event) and saying "my kid got an invite to a college event at your school. No he is not a student. Can we come in?"

Would this get a wave and a nod or skepticism? Is it commonly done?

It's not like your kid was the only one invited. If the general public is invited, then the general public is expected.

[Anonymous]

Some schools offer their auditoriums to colleges for evening programs to save the colleges money (over renting hotel ballrooms). Anyone can go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just imagine coming to the front door (afterschool event) and saying "my kid got an invite to a college event at your school. No he is not a student. Can we come in?"

Would this get a wave and a nod or skepticism? Is it commonly done?

It's not like your kid was the only one invited. If the general public is invited, then the general public is expected.

+1
The school is just offering up a space for the general public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think the colleges would invite students from outside of the hosting school if it wasn't appropriate to do so.

+1 we are doing it soon. I will arrive early to figure out parking/location. Other than that, no one will even know we’re from a different school. Many will be from elsewhere anyway.

[Anonymous]

Totally normal and if it’s open to others, the expectation is students from other schools will be in attendance. My student went to one and ran into friends from her school as well as old friends from various other schools.

[Anonymous]

I would reach out to the school and ask if the event is open to the public. Some of the smaller schools cannot handle a barrage of extra kids/families.

[Anonymous]

Our private arranged all junior students go to an event at another private. No classes for the day, and it's mandatory for all juniors to go. Our private told us to focus on safeties that DC will probably never visit in person. DC met with many AOs at the event. Had a good chat with an AO from a reach, and emailed the AO afterwards, expressing/confirming interest. Worked out really well.