College Fairs: seeking input from BTDT parents

[Anonymous]

Create a list of 8-10 schools that you want to hit up.
I think for those who track demonstrated interest, stopping by and getting the name on the list counts.
Ask 2-3 questions of each rep
Time limit your visit to 2 hours max, don't overwhelm yourself.
Goal is learn something about each school. Know that the reps are there all day, over maybe multiple days, talking to dozens maybe hundred of kids. So if you get one that is friendly, caffeined up and happy, great. And if you get one that is cranky tired and done with it, understand that too. It is not a reason to take a school off your list. My DD's current college was swamped and the reps were cranky, not shaking hands, dismissive by the time we got to them in the afternoon lol.
Which reminds me of last tip, go early or end of day when the crowds are smaller

[Anonymous]

Screw college fairs, visit with the colleges that come to your school.

If you don’t have many that come by, then go to the fairs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Create a list of 8-10 schools that you want to hit up.
I think for those who track demonstrated interest, stopping by and getting the name on the list counts.
Ask 2-3 questions of each rep
Time limit your visit to 2 hours max, don't overwhelm yourself.
Goal is learn something about each school. Know that the reps are there all day, over maybe multiple days, talking to dozens maybe hundred of kids. So if you get one that is friendly, caffeined up and happy, great. And if you get one that is cranky tired and done with it, understand that too. It is not a reason to take a school off your list. My DD's current college was swamped and the reps were cranky, not shaking hands, dismissive by the time we got to them in the afternoon lol.
Which reminds me of last tip, go early or end of day when the crowds are smaller

Showing up at a college fair counts as demonstrated interest, says the person who works for the college fair. What questions could these kids possibly ask that they couldn't get better responses from the college website or even DCUM? How is your computer science program? Do the dorms have AC? Should I submit a 1400 SAT?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Create a list of 8-10 schools that you want to hit up.
I think for those who track demonstrated interest, stopping by and getting the name on the list counts.
Ask 2-3 questions of each rep
Time limit your visit to 2 hours max, don't overwhelm yourself.
Goal is learn something about each school. Know that the reps are there all day, over maybe multiple days, talking to dozens maybe hundred of kids. So if you get one that is friendly, caffeined up and happy, great. And if you get one that is cranky tired and done with it, understand that too. It is not a reason to take a school off your list. My DD's current college was swamped and the reps were cranky, not shaking hands, dismissive by the time we got to them in the afternoon lol.
Which reminds me of last tip, go early or end of day when the crowds are smaller

Showing up at a college fair counts as demonstrated interest, says the person who works for the college fair. What questions could these kids possibly ask that they couldn't get better responses from the college website or even DCUM? How is your computer science program? Do the dorms have AC? Should I submit a 1400 SAT?

Only if we get your name and email.

[Anonymous]

For us, a fair was a way to kick-start the process. It was helpful to see how colleges present themselves, and to get DC thinking about what sorts of experiences sound appealing. It was great to get on a bunch of mailing lists all at once. We walked out of the fair with a handful of materials, and a place to start.

Fairs are a little chaotic, and kind of overwhelming. But the real value comes over time — materials and emails start to roll in, you visit a couple of the schools you liked best, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Create a list of 8-10 schools that you want to hit up.
I think for those who track demonstrated interest, stopping by and getting the name on the list counts.
Ask 2-3 questions of each rep
Time limit your visit to 2 hours max, don't overwhelm yourself.
Goal is learn something about each school. Know that the reps are there all day, over maybe multiple days, talking to dozens maybe hundred of kids. So if you get one that is friendly, caffeined up and happy, great. And if you get one that is cranky tired and done with it, understand that too. It is not a reason to take a school off your list. My DD's current college was swamped and the reps were cranky, not shaking hands, dismissive by the time we got to them in the afternoon lol.
Which reminds me of last tip, go early or end of day when the crowds are smaller

Showing up at a college fair counts as demonstrated interest, says the person who works for the college fair. What questions could these kids possibly ask that they couldn't get better responses from the college website or even DCUM? How is your computer science program? Do the dorms have AC? Should I submit a 1400 SAT?

WTF I don't work for the college fair?!!

You're a moron.
Example questions:
I'm thinking about majoring in Engineering, can you tell me more about the resources that will be available once the new building is erected fall of next year?
I'd like to major in business and would like to get into front-office banking roles, can you tell me about the companies that recruit at your school and the typical placements among recent graduates? How does the career services group specifically support students with these kinds of aspirations?
If you think you have nothing else to learn by talking to people, we can't help you.

[Anonymous]

OP here -- THANKS for the extremely helpful responses!

Before the College Fair - the kid will:
-obtain barcode
-watch suggested video (YES!)
-create list of questions (THANKS for the starter questions!)

Mom + kid will:
-work together to set priority schools
-make a plan of attack -- schools on kid's list that track demonstrated interest, smaller less swamped schools, etc.

I (MOM) will not attend. Thanks to DCUM today I actually feel good about this plan

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Create a list of 8-10 schools that you want to hit up.
I think for those who track demonstrated interest, stopping by and getting the name on the list counts.
Ask 2-3 questions of each rep
Time limit your visit to 2 hours max, don't overwhelm yourself.
Goal is learn something about each school. Know that the reps are there all day, over maybe multiple days, talking to dozens maybe hundred of kids. So if you get one that is friendly, caffeined up and happy, great. And if you get one that is cranky tired and done with it, understand that too. It is not a reason to take a school off your list. My DD's current college was swamped and the reps were cranky, not shaking hands, dismissive by the time we got to them in the afternoon lol.
Which reminds me of last tip, go early or end of day when the crowds are smaller

Showing up at a college fair counts as demonstrated interest, says the person who works for the college fair. What questions could these kids possibly ask that they couldn't get better responses from the college website or even DCUM? How is your computer science program? Do the dorms have AC? Should I submit a 1400 SAT?

WTF I don't work for the college fair?!!

You're a moron.
Example questions:
I'm thinking about majoring in Engineering, can you tell me more about the resources that will be available once the new building is erected fall of next year?
I'd like to major in business and would like to get into front-office banking roles, can you tell me about the companies that recruit at your school and the typical placements among recent graduates? How does the career services group specifically support students with these kinds of aspirations?
If you think you have nothing else to learn by talking to people, we can't help you.

Calling me a moron? Do you think that the people staffing those college fair tables know the answers to those questions any better than the first hit you'd get searching on Google? And what is the kid going to do with that information? Hmmm, UVA gave me a vague response about front-office business roles, I'm picking West Virginia instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Create a list of 8-10 schools that you want to hit up.
I think for those who track demonstrated interest, stopping by and getting the name on the list counts.
Ask 2-3 questions of each rep
Time limit your visit to 2 hours max, don't overwhelm yourself.
Goal is learn something about each school. Know that the reps are there all day, over maybe multiple days, talking to dozens maybe hundred of kids. So if you get one that is friendly, caffeined up and happy, great. And if you get one that is cranky tired and done with it, understand that too. It is not a reason to take a school off your list. My DD's current college was swamped and the reps were cranky, not shaking hands, dismissive by the time we got to them in the afternoon lol.
Which reminds me of last tip, go early or end of day when the crowds are smaller

Showing up at a college fair counts as demonstrated interest, says the person who works for the college fair. What questions could these kids possibly ask that they couldn't get better responses from the college website or even DCUM? How is your computer science program? Do the dorms have AC? Should I submit a 1400 SAT?

Only if we get your name and email.

Out of 7 million college applicants per year exactly zero have the decision come down to whether or not they attended a college fair. Do a campus tour and an interview to demonstrate interest, which probably impacts the decision for about 7 of those applicants.

[Anonymous]

When and where are various college fairs? Is there a list somewhere? I've only heard about a few at our mcps schools, but a lot of colleges my kid is interested in don't attend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Create a list of 8-10 schools that you want to hit up.
I think for those who track demonstrated interest, stopping by and getting the name on the list counts.
Ask 2-3 questions of each rep
Time limit your visit to 2 hours max, don't overwhelm yourself.
Goal is learn something about each school. Know that the reps are there all day, over maybe multiple days, talking to dozens maybe hundred of kids. So if you get one that is friendly, caffeined up and happy, great. And if you get one that is cranky tired and done with it, understand that too. It is not a reason to take a school off your list. My DD's current college was swamped and the reps were cranky, not shaking hands, dismissive by the time we got to them in the afternoon lol.
Which reminds me of last tip, go early or end of day when the crowds are smaller

Showing up at a college fair counts as demonstrated interest, says the person who works for the college fair. What questions could these kids possibly ask that they couldn't get better responses from the college website or even DCUM? How is your computer science program? Do the dorms have AC? Should I submit a 1400 SAT?

WTF I don't work for the college fair?!!

You're a moron.
Example questions:
I'm thinking about majoring in Engineering, can you tell me more about the resources that will be available once the new building is erected fall of next year?
I'd like to major in business and would like to get into front-office banking roles, can you tell me about the companies that recruit at your school and the typical placements among recent graduates? How does the career services group specifically support students with these kinds of aspirations?
If you think you have nothing else to learn by talking to people, we can't help you.

Calling me a moron? Do you think that the people staffing those college fair tables know the answers to those questions any better than the first hit you'd get searching on Google? And what is the kid going to do with that information? Hmmm, UVA gave me a vague response about front-office business roles, I'm picking West Virginia instead.

You know everything!!! Clearly, you have nothing left to learn! From anyone!!! About anything!!! So sit your know it all a$$ at home, leaves more space for those kids who want to attend and learn more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Create a list of 8-10 schools that you want to hit up.
I think for those who track demonstrated interest, stopping by and getting the name on the list counts.
Ask 2-3 questions of each rep
Time limit your visit to 2 hours max, don't overwhelm yourself.
Goal is learn something about each school. Know that the reps are there all day, over maybe multiple days, talking to dozens maybe hundred of kids. So if you get one that is friendly, caffeined up and happy, great. And if you get one that is cranky tired and done with it, understand that too. It is not a reason to take a school off your list. My DD's current college was swamped and the reps were cranky, not shaking hands, dismissive by the time we got to them in the afternoon lol.
Which reminds me of last tip, go early or end of day when the crowds are smaller

Showing up at a college fair counts as demonstrated interest, says the person who works for the college fair. What questions could these kids possibly ask that they couldn't get better responses from the college website or even DCUM? How is your computer science program? Do the dorms have AC? Should I submit a 1400 SAT?

WTF I don't work for the college fair?!!

You're a moron.
Example questions:
I'm thinking about majoring in Engineering, can you tell me more about the resources that will be available once the new building is erected fall of next year?
I'd like to major in business and would like to get into front-office banking roles, can you tell me about the companies that recruit at your school and the typical placements among recent graduates? How does the career services group specifically support students with these kinds of aspirations?
If you think you have nothing else to learn by talking to people, we can't help you.

Calling me a moron? Do you think that the people staffing those college fair tables know the answers to those questions any better than the first hit you'd get searching on Google? And what is the kid going to do with that information? Hmmm, UVA gave me a vague response about front-office business roles, I'm picking West Virginia instead.

You know everything!!! Clearly, you have nothing left to learn! From anyone!!! About anything!!! So sit your know it all a$$ at home, leaves more space for those kids who want to attend and learn more.

I know now, I didn't know before I went, the OP asked for advice.

[Anonymous]

I highly recommend your kid makes contact with the colleges that visit your school. I work sometimes in our school’s college center and not many students attend. The Reps are often bored!