Searching for a College

More than 1,000 people - high school seniors and juniors, their parents and college recruiters - filled the McKimmon Center on NC State's campus for 2.5 hours Sunday afternoon for the Wake County College Fair.

Students and parents had the chance to talk directly to representatives from more than 115 colleges and universities - many from North Carolina, as well as others up and down the east coast from Florida to Vermont. There was a wide variety: large and small, urban and rural, also women's, military and religious. Some schools had tables staffed by a number of representatives who fielded questions and had rows of people waiting to talk with them. Others had fewer visitors, but offered lots of helpful information on their schools and the college search. College representatives unable to answer detailed questions about areas of study at their schools quickly provided e-mail addresses directly to the dean of that school.

Handout information from colleges and universities showed open house and campus visits are in full swing. Some had begun open house earlier this month and others are scheduled into October. Most have opportunities on websites to sign up for visits that might even include staying overnight or sitting in on a professor's lecture.

Information sessions were available on preparing for college with tips that included considering a range of schools, developing a calendar to keep important application dates and the importance of visiting perspective campuses to see if schools live up to their brochures and flyers. Another session on financial aid described the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, encouraged a wide search for financial aid and noted WCPSS has financial aid counselors at each high school.

The college fair was sponsored by the Wake County Public School System, NC State University and the Carolina Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.

UPDATE 9/28: Eric Sparks of WCPSS Counseling and Student Services reports around 2,700 people attended. They were able to speak with 121 college, university or military representatives.

Posted by Bill Poston at 05:46 PM on September 24, 2007 | Leave Feedback

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