College Nights and College Fairs Charlotte Knepp, Director of College Counseling, Regents School of Austin Julie Shea, Volunteer Fair Coordinator, St. Michael’s Catholic Academy

College Nights Why nights, instead of one big College night?

College Admissions Process Step One – Develop College List – Junior Year What are your interests, passions Develop your criteria for selecting a college Step Two -- Getting ready to apply – winter, spring and summer – Junior Year Junior Conference Testing Essays Resume Step Three – College Application – Senior Year College Boot Camp, August How to Apply

Freshman, Sophomore College Night and Day Meeting What is the story you will tell in your college application when you are a senior? Academic Record Extracurricular and Cocurricular Activities GPA Game

Junior College Night and Day Meeting Why two meetings? Objectives 1.Standardized testing and test prep Expert on Test Prep Scheduled Mock Tests on campus during the fall Test Prep options locally When to prep and test 2.Building a College List Websites Guidebooks Naviance College Visits College Reps and visits to campus College Fairs and Info Sessions

Junior Naviance Training Saturday workshop-style presentation for both students and parents, follow up meeting with juniors during the day Interactive presentation through “Dummy Account” Quiz at the end to test participants knowledge of Naviance Prizes

College Boot Camp for Seniors Schedule before school starts and before two-a-day athletic practices start – 3 morning sessions and homework! Faculty Essay experts Goals: Complete a college essay Begin Apply Texas and Common Applications College Resume Scholarship search engines

Senior College Night and Day Meeting How to Apply to College Types of Applications Decision Plans College Essays, Resumes Deadlines Scholarships and their deadlines Transcripts, Teacher Recommendations

Senior Financial Aid Night Presentation from a local college expert Role of financial aid (both need-based and merit) How to apply for various types of scholarships and aid

Senior FAFSA Workshop First Saturday in January (have it in conjunction with the Junior Naviance Workshop) Bring laptops Have financial aid expert from local college conduct the workshop

Senior “Last Things” Meeting Role of the waitlist May 1 “National Decision Day” – how to say yes and no College Housing Baccalaureate and Graduation instructions Etiquette Luncheon and College Counseling Awards

College Fair

College Fair Advance Planning Initial Planning Who is hosting? Will there be sponsors, i.e., test prep companies, etc.? How large will the fair be – comprehensive, local, specialty colleges? Where will the fair be held? When (what time of day or weekend) will fair be held? Will it be held in conjunction with other fairs during the day or week? Is the Fair part of TACRAO schedule? Is the Fair Open or Closed to outside participants? Invitation – when to send and remind, waitlist (see timeline and invitation handouts) Determine colleges to be invited (by invitation only?) Timeline for invitation (6 mo. before) and reminder notices RSVP list – one individual should manage and update Final communication (2 weeks out) with colleges: includes map, directions to fair, parking arrangements, etc. Waitlist

Note: 3 fairs held on the same day By invitation only One per venue TACRAO fair

More Advanced Planning One month in advance: Order or secure tables for Colleges (2 colleges per 8’ table) Plan table arrangement in facility Dinner arrangements (if any) Security Fire Marshall Refreshments and treats Confirm Fair Sponsors: test prep companies, GAP year organizations

Preparing Students and Parents for the Fair One week in advance: Ask students to register through NACAC College Fair link, if available ( Publish (website, newsletter, banner) and send college list and floor map so students and parents can plan their evening Educate students and parents regarding questions to ask and how to make the most of the fair (see fair checklist handout) Communicate preferred parking for the fair

Floor Map

Map for Reps

College Fair Managing the Fair… Parent volunteer duties – one month out Prepare duty roster and instructions Assign one volunteer to manage college check-in from master list Assign volunteers to distribute floor map and bags Prepare signage for tables and around campus Plan parking arrangements and assistance Will you need to drive reps to venue? Plan refreshment procurement and distribution during fair Student volunteer duties– two weeks out Prepare duty list, enlist NHS members to help Escort Reps to table Refreshment distribution during fair Hand out evaluation at the end of the Fair *Prepare name tags for all volunteers!

College Fair Set Up The Day of the Fair … Table delivery and set up with stanchions with college name (1-2 hours before event) Check-in table with master list Floor Maps for distribution to college reps and guests Bags for college brochures Public Address Access for emergencies Drop-in Colleges – what arrangement? Distribute evaluations just before fair ends

College Fair Evaluation

Fair is finished!