About Yourself:
* Your academic profile: Know your GPA, test scores (SAT/ACT), and class rank. This helps you target colleges with realistic admission requirements.
* Your academic interests: What subjects do you enjoy? What career paths are you considering? This will guide you to colleges with strong programs in those areas.
* Your preferred learning environment: Do you prefer large universities or small liberal arts colleges? Urban, suburban, or rural settings? A large or small class size? This will help narrow down your options.
* Your financial situation: Understand your family's financial resources and explore potential financial aid options. This will help you determine which colleges are realistically affordable.
* Your geographic preferences: Are you willing to move far from home, or do you prefer to stay close?
About Colleges:
* Colleges you're already considering: Research these thoroughly beforehand. This allows you to ask specific questions at the fair and compare them side-by-side. Look at their websites for program information, student life details, and admission requirements.
* Colleges you're curious about: Browse college websites or resources like the Common Data Set to identify colleges you might be interested in, even if you haven't researched them in depth. The college fair is a great opportunity to learn more about them.
* Types of colleges: Understand the differences between different types of institutions (e.g., public vs. private, liberal arts colleges vs. research universities, community colleges vs. four-year colleges).
About the College Fair Itself:
* List of attending colleges: Check the college fair's website or materials to see which colleges will be present. Prioritize the ones you want to visit.
* Fair schedule and layout: Understand the fair's hours, location, and any special events or presentations. Planning your route ahead of time will save you time.
* Materials to bring: Bring a notebook, pen, business cards (if you have them), a list of questions, and a bag to carry brochures.
By thoroughly researching these areas beforehand, you'll be well-prepared to make the most of your time at the college fair and gather valuable information to help you in your college search.