Concordia College7 Min Read
College fairs are a great way to learn about different schools in a short amount of time. But if you aren’t well prepared, they can leave you feeling more confused.
Fear not — there are some simple things you can do in order to get the most out of any college fair. First, try to find the list of colleges that will be in attendance. Look up the schools online before you go to the fair, gathering basic information from their websites. This will help you narrow down the schools you want to spend time talking with.
When you are talking to a school’s representative, take notes. You may end up talking to quite a few schools, so notes can help you remember what was most important about each one.
Most importantly, you’ll want to ask good questions. Ask about things that you can’t find on their website, and personalize it to what’s most important to you. We’ve compiled a list of questions that will give you a better understanding of each college and will help make your final decision a bit easier.
What makes your college unique?
This question allows the representative to share about the character and personality of the school, as well as mention some things that may not be listed on their website.
What is the average number of students in a class?
Will you be in lecture-style classrooms with 300 other students? Or will the classes be small and allow for more student discussion? Know what style best fits you and keep that in mind when asking this question.
Tell me about your ________ program.
It’s important to ask questions that are specific to your interests and what you are looking to study. If they don’t have a program that suits you, that may be all you need to know about the school.
What are the top majors at your college?
Many colleges have several programs that they are known for, whether they have stellar faculty, updated facilities, or high job-placement rates. This may give you an idea of how well your major is represented on campus.
How would you describe the academic pressure and workload?
This is information you probably won’t find on the school’s website. It’s difficult to know what to expect from your college classes, but asking this can help you determine how much time you’ll need to devote to your studies.
What is there to do on campus?
This question can relate to campus clubs and organizations you can join. How involved are the students at this school? It can also relate to on-campus entertainment. What types of events does the college offer and are they well attended?
Tell me about the local area.
It’s important to get information about the surrounding area, as you won’t be spending all your time on campus. What is there to do for fun? Is it a vibrant city or a quiet small town? Another important aspect of this is the opportunity for off-campus internships and jobs. Do many students hold jobs in the area?
What is security like on campus?
Safety is an important aspect of any college choice and it can sometimes be overlooked. You want to feel comfortable at your school and campus security, as well as the safety of the surrounding area, can greatly affect that.
What housing options do I have?
Many colleges have an on-campus requirement for freshmen and sometimes sophom*ores. You may want to ask how many residence halls are available and if the school has on-campus apartments. This would also be a great time to ask about roommate assignments. Does the school have a system in place to match roommates based on common interests? Is there an option to choose your own roommate?
What is the average financial aid award for first-year students?
College can be expensive, so financial aid often makes a huge difference in a school’s affordability. This can also be an opportunity to ask about scholarships related to academics, sports, or the arts.
Tell me about your study abroad opportunities.
How many students on average study abroad at your college? What countries could I go to? Some universities have lots of options for studying away, whether it’s across the country or around the world while other schools may not focus on studying abroad at all. If this is something you’re interested in doing during college, make sure they have a good study away program set up.
Will classes be textbook-focused or more hands-on?
Ask if there will be real-world opportunities for learning and engaging with the surrounding community. This can be very beneficial in preparing for life after college. The amount of hands-on work may also be affected by the average class size.
What student support services are available for me?
Ask about faculty advisors, tutoring services, disability services, and the counseling center. You want to know that, as a student, you will be well supported and have places to go for help. You may also want to ask about career preparation — do they have a good track record for placing students in jobs and internships? What resources does the school provide to help you prepare for life after college?
Are there any big changes happening that I should know about?
The college may be renovating a building, cutting or expanding programs, or changing academic requirements. These are good things to know when considering your future college.
Published July 2017
