Attending a college fair is a great way to explore your options and help you decide which campuses to add to your list. Representatives from a variety of SUNY campuses will be there to discuss academic offerings, student life, financial aid, and more. Visit suny.edu/fairs to find out if there is a SUNY college fair happening near you! To maximize your experience, SUNY put together a few tips to help you out before, during, and after the fair.
Before the College Fair
Do your research and identify the SUNY colleges you would like to connect with at the fair.
A great resource is suny.edu/whichsuny, which will help you build your college list based on major, academic fit, and desired location. If you would like a more hands-on approach, register for a “Which SUNY Are You?” virtual group information session. This session explores SUNY’s campuses, programs, application/admission processes, financial aid, etc. There is also a live chat feature so you can ask questions during the session.
Once you’re ready, make a list of at least six campuses of interest and bring it with you to the fair.
At the College Fair
SUNY representatives will likely have resource materials for you to take home and refer to as your search continues. We recommend bringing a folder to organize your materials, as well as a pen and paper to take notes. With so many campuses to see, it can be hard to remember every conversation. You may also consider having a list of questions for the campus representatives – either prepared ahead of time or created while you wait in line. Try to think of questions that aren’t easily found on websites.
Here are a few questions to help you talk to college campus reps:
- Are there specific admission requirements for my preferred major?
- What internships have students done in my area of study?
- What resources are available to students to help them find jobs after graduation?
- Tell me about the town/city where the campus is located.
- How would I make my class schedule my first year?
- What are the most popular clubs and activities on campus? What clubs and organizations are there related to my major?
- Do most students live on campus or commute?
- Who can I contact with additional questions after the fair?
After the College Fair
Take time to review and organize the information you received at the fair. Be on the lookout for free bags and folders to help you keep track of everything if you didn’t bring any with you.
There may be new campuses on your list, or you may have removed campuses that no longer feel like a good fit. Next, plan to visit your top three campuses. During a campus visit, you get the chance to experience a college first-hand and truly determine “fit and feel.” Use suny.edu/visit to plan your visits and be sure to check out our blog post about campus tour questions and tips.
Most importantly, have fun! Ask questions, make connections, and learn all you can during this important part of the college search process. If you need help along the way, contact us at SUNY. Enrollment guides will assist you with the search and application process.
