College Nights and College Fairs
Charlotte Knepp, Director of College Counseling, Regents School of AustinJulie Shea, Volunteer Fair Coordinator, St. Michael’s Catholic Academy
College Nights
Why nights, instead of one big College night?
College Admissions Process• Step One – Develop College List – Junior Year
• What are your interests, passions• Develop your criteria for selecting a college
• Step Two -- Getting ready to apply – winter, spring and summer – Junior Year
• Junior Conference• Testing• Essays• Resume
• Step Three – College Application – Senior Year
• College Boot Camp, August • How to Apply
Freshman, Sophomore College Night and Day MeetingWhat is the story you will tell in your college
application when you are a senior?
Academic Record
Extracurricular and Cocurricular Activities
GPA Game
Junior College Night and Day MeetingWhy two meetings?
Objectives1. Standardized testing and test prep
Expert on Test Prep Scheduled Mock Tests on campus during the fall Test Prep options locally When to prep and test
2. Building a College List Websites Guidebooks Naviance College Visits College Reps and visits to campus College Fairs and Info Sessions
Junior Naviance Training
Saturday workshop-style presentation for both students and parents, follow up meeting with juniors during the day
Interactive presentation through “Dummy Account”
Quiz at the end to test participants knowledge of Naviance
Prizes
College Boot Camp for Seniors
Schedule before school starts and before two-a-day athletic practices start – 3 morning sessions and homework!
Faculty Essay experts
Goals: Complete a college essay Begin Apply Texas and Common Applications College Resume Scholarship search engines
Senior College Night and Day Meeting
How to Apply to College
Types of Applications
Decision Plans
College Essays, Resumes
Deadlines
Scholarships and their deadlines
Transcripts, Teacher Recommendations
Senior Financial Aid Night
Presentation from a local college expert
Role of financial aid (both need-based and merit)
How to apply for various types of scholarships and aid
Senior FAFSA Workshop
First Saturday in January
(have it in conjunction with the Junior Naviance Workshop)
Bring laptops
Have financial aid expert from local college conduct the workshop
Senior “Last Things” Meeting Role of the waitlist
May 1 “National Decision Day” – how to say yes and no
College Housing
Baccalaureate and Graduation instructions
Etiquette Luncheon and College Counseling Awards
College Fair
College Fair Advance Planning Initial Planning
Who is hosting? Will there be sponsors, i.e., test prep companies, etc.? How large will the fair be – comprehensive, local, specialty colleges? Where will the fair be held? When (what time of day or weekend) will fair be held? Will it be held in conjunction with other fairs during the day or week? Is the Fair part of TACRAO schedule? Is the Fair Open or Closed to outside participants?
Invitation – when to send and remind, waitlist (see timeline and invitation handouts) Determine colleges to be invited (by invitation only?) Timeline for invitation (6 mo. before) and reminder notices RSVP list – one individual should manage and update Final communication (2 weeks out) with colleges: includes map, directions to fair,
parking arrangements, etc. Waitlist
Note: •3 fairs held on the same day•By invitation only•One email per venue•TACRAO fair
More Advanced Planning
One month in advance: Order or secure tables for
Colleges (2 colleges per 8’ table)
Plan table arrangement in facility
Dinner arrangements (if any) Security Fire Marshall Refreshments and treats Confirm Fair Sponsors: test
prep companies, GAP year organizations
Preparing Students and Parents for the Fair
One week in advance:Ask students to register through NACAC College Fair link, if available (www.gotocollegefairs.com)
Publish (website, newsletter, banner) and send college list and floor map so students and parents can plan their evening
Educate students and parents regarding questions to ask and how to make the most of the fair (see fair checklist handout)
Communicate preferred parking for the fair
Floor Map
Map for Reps
College Fair
Managing the Fair…
Parent volunteer duties – one month out Prepare duty roster and instructions Assign one volunteer to manage college check-in from
master list Assign volunteers to distribute floor map and bags Prepare signage for tables and around campus Plan parking arrangements and assistance Will you need to drive reps to venue? Plan refreshment procurement and distribution during fair
Student volunteer duties– two weeks out Prepare duty list, enlist NHS members to help Escort Reps to table Refreshment distribution during fair Hand out evaluation at the end of the Fair
*Prepare name tags for all volunteers!
College Fair Set Up
The Day of the Fair …
Table delivery and set up with stanchions with college name (1-2 hours before event)
Check-in table with master list
Floor Maps for distribution to college reps and guests
Bags for college brochures
Public Address Access for emergencies
Drop-in Colleges – what arrangement?
Distribute evaluations just before fair ends
College Fair Evaluation
Fair is finished!