Anonymous
Post 09/04/2025 18:28     Subject: What's it like going to a college event at somebody else's high school?
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.
Anonymous
Post 09/04/2025 18:21     Subject: What's it like going to a college event at somebody else's high school?
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
Post 09/04/2025 18:18     Subject: What's it like going to a college event at somebody else's high school?
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
Post 09/04/2025 17:32     Subject: What's it like going to a college event at somebody else's high school?
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
Post 09/04/2025 17:07     Subject: What's it like going to a college event at somebody else's high school?
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
Post 09/04/2025 16:45     Subject: What's it like going to a college event at somebody else's high school?
Some schools offer their auditoriums to colleges for evening programs to save the colleges money (over renting hotel ballrooms). Anyone can go.
Anonymous
Post 09/04/2025 16:41     Subject: What's it like going to a college event at somebody else's high school?
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
Post 09/04/2025 16:40     Subject: What's it like going to a college event at somebody else's high school?
Appreciate knowing this. Don't want kid going into a lions den and hating me for it.
Anonymous
Post 09/04/2025 16:37     Subject: What's it like going to a college event at somebody else's high school?
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
Post 09/04/2025 16:30     Subject: What's it like going to a college event at somebody else's high school?
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
Post 09/04/2025 16:29     Subject: What's it like going to a college event at somebody else's high school?
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
Post 09/04/2025 16:28     Subject: What's it like going to a college event at somebody else's high school?
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
Post 09/04/2025 16:20     Subject: What's it like going to a college event at somebody else's high school?
I don't think the colleges would invite students from outside of the hosting school if it wasn't appropriate to do so.
Anonymous
Post 09/04/2025 16:18     Subject: What's it like going to a college event at somebody else's high school?
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
Post 09/04/2025 16:17     Subject: What's it like going to a college event at somebody else's high school?
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?