Are college fairs a thing of the past?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were at WAIS last night too. Many schools have regional directors that will be reading your child’s application. It is important for your child to meet them, shake their hand. Some were given out their resumes to directors. Others had stickers to show interest in the school or continued interest if they are already on the mailing address. My daughter talked to many and asked questions that can not be answered on the website. Show them you have been there, show them you are going this summer. Tell them what you like and ask specific questions.

She talked to a few she had never thought of. She liked previous alumni students who now work in admissions. That showed her the school seriously takes their students seriously and aren’t hiring flakey people who dob5 truly know the school.

We have been to multiple fairs, have done mock interviews, and have visited schools. About 5 regionals have remembered her and that spoke volumes too.

OP here. Well my DS is only interested in the top schools, which do not track interest. He did sign into his safety schools, but frankly, still not worth the time. We'll still be visiting the safeties over the summer. The admin people weren't looking to remember names and there was no sign in sheet. He'll do fine when he submits his app on paper as he has excellent stats and EC's. No need to schmooze.

Is this a troll? You can’t be that dumb? I was at the same college fair as you and everyone was very involved and had sign ups. If you are only reaching for Ivy, you will be disappointed.

Not a troll. I am OP. We are not reaching for ivies..just strong schools, and they all do not track interest. Only two of the schools my DS is looking at (safeties) track interest. We signed the sheet. He will be just fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Working at your college admissions office right after graduation seems a bit like failure to launch.

My step sister did it. 43K, room, board and meals st school provided. Plus all travel paid for and travel meals reimbursed. She was able to go international twice a year too. She did it for 3 years while getting her masters at the school taking mainly online courses - for a steal.

But sure, getting a 50-60K year job and having to pay for a place to live, food, and no travel sounds much better.

What school pays room and board to admission counselors? Asking for a friend. ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anybody out there REALLY believe that schools don't track interest?

My dd is in love with a reach school that has demonstrated interest marked as “not considered.” She’s not taking any chances, and has visited as often as possible and checked in with reps at a few events.

And this is a serious question. I know colleges say this to cut down on annoying calling/emailing every day, but the fact is, software to track/assess interest is out there and it's proven; commercial companies use it all the time (look at the ads in the margins of this website).

So they can do it.

And if I were trying to fill a class with the "best of the best", boost my USNWR yield, and charge a lot of money, I would definitely prioritize the kids who wanted to come to my school.

Why wouldn't I do this?

Above pp here.
I agree. And my dd also makes sure to open, forward, and click on all the links in every email she gets from them. It doesn’t hurt to try!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were at WAIS last night too. Many schools have regional directors that will be reading your child’s application. It is important for your child to meet them, shake their hand. Some were given out their resumes to directors. Others had stickers to show interest in the school or continued interest if they are already on the mailing address. My daughter talked to many and asked questions that can not be answered on the website. Show them you have been there, show them you are going this summer. Tell them what you like and ask specific questions.

She talked to a few she had never thought of. She liked previous alumni students who now work in admissions. That showed her the school seriously takes their students seriously and aren’t hiring flakey people who dob5 truly know the school.

We have been to multiple fairs, have done mock interviews, and have visited schools. About 5 regionals have remembered her and that spoke volumes too.

OP here. Well my DS is only interested in the top schools, which do not track interest. He did sign into his safety schools, but frankly, still not worth the time. We'll still be visiting the safeties over the summer. The admin people weren't looking to remember names and there was no sign in sheet. He'll do fine when he submits his app on paper as he has excellent stats and EC's. No need to schmooze.

Is this a troll? You can’t be that dumb? I was at the same college fair as you and everyone was very involved and had sign ups. If you are only reaching for Ivy, you will be disappointed.

Not a troll. I am OP. We are not reaching for ivies..just strong schools, and they all do not track interest. Only two of the schools my DS is looking at (safeties) track interest. We signed the sheet. He will be just fine.

Okay. Nothing like being over confident.

[Anonymous]

The schools that don't track interest are trying to level the playing field so that applicants who can't afford to do the big college tour aren't placed at a disadvantage. That has nothing to do with meeting your area rep when s/he comes to a college fair in your area or visits your school. Making a good impression on the rep so that you're more than just GPA, scores and a Common App file can make a real differences in admissions.