Master the College Visit & Fair:

From Captive to Client!

What are these things about? Is it painful?
1. Helps you get the information you need to pick universities right for you (fit)
2. Make a good impression on the representative, who may read your app
From the college side:
. generate apps from a targeted groups of students: fit + recruiting
. raise your interest level vs. other schools
. reduce application mistakes and increase app quality
. provide you with a contact in process (sometimes)

College Visits to GCM

More than 80 from September-November
Variety: in/out state, arts, academies, technicals, etc.
Find Calendar and Register
o Blackboard/Family Connection
o college homepage calendar
o facebook/twitter
Other types of local college visits, go online
(coffee shops, etc.)

Your Outcomes Should Be:

1. Get your questions answered
2. Make a good impression
3. Provide demonstrated interest, if used
(contact cards, sign-in sheets)
4. Build your confidence for longer interactions

What happens at these things?

Normal Steps

1. Rep talks about school

a.
b.
c.
d.

profile, programs
fun facts
admissions, apps
financial aid

2. You ask questions

3. May ask you about your
interests

4. Fill out contact cards or

scan you and give you
material

How to do your best:

Prepare
Ask a question that shows youve
thought about how you fit at the
school

Cover the Basics

Go over checklist: get info; tell
about self (if smaller group); get
contact info

Body language, speech

and dress (next slide)

Questions to Ask
college

special programs/majors
o advising tracks, 3-2s,
abroad, co-ops, IB credit,
etc
characteristics or types sought
- involved, leader, etc.
scholarship, aid opportunities
and deadlines - esp. out-state
core curriculum and required
courses and programs
diversity (not just non-white)

The Donts
wear another schools shirt
ask where is your school anyway
over-share your faults or mistakes and
bad grades
be a wallflower
try to sound like an adult

Presenting Yourself
Verbally
know what you want to get across
be brief and clear
speak in your own words, not too
academic or old but also appropriate
volume level normal for group size
use natural enthusiasm level unless
you are very low key
know when to listen

Physically
introduce self
sit near and face rep
sit upright, open and appropriately
use listening skills: nods, eye
contact, affirming, note-taking
say goodbye
follow up with thank-you note if
small school or have questions

Questions & Icebreakers

Get Em Talking

what are some of the programs you have that other schools dont?
what does your campus look like on the weekends?
tell me about some of the most important traditions of your school
what are some of the opportunities you always wished you took more advantage of in college?
what are some of the things your career program does to help students find their first job?
if I visit campus or town, what are some things I shouldnt miss?

Zingers

what percentage of classes are under 20 students?

whats the average size of grants (not loans) that you give out?
how many of your graduates are employed in the field of their study after graduation?
what are the average starting salaries for graduates in my area of interest?
do you use financial need as a factor in admissions?
what type of students do you have a hard time attracting and keeping on campus
what skills or backgrounds are in demand at your school?
what is your grad school placement in my major?

Selling the You

The 30-second version (Elevator Pitch):
My name is....and Im a student at.My favorite subjects are
because.....and outside of school I really enjoy....Some of the things Im looking
for in a college are.

The 60-sec. version (Tell me a little bit about yourself)

Above, and.I think some of my strengths are..and my friends (or my teachers)
describe me as someone who...something that a lot of people dont know about
me is.I see myself in 5 or 10 years doing.

Discussion & Next Steps

Share best vs. worse experience
Schedule some more fairs/visit
now!
Practice with some mock
exchanges and virtual visits