All’s “Fair” in Senior Year Summer

Wren Wolterbeek
Written By Guest User

Midsummer is upon us—not the movie starring Florence Pugh, but the time in July when it seems as if the new school year is just a few events and plans away. It is an exciting time, but also one where stress begins to form. Just like us, our HSFs are wondering and worrying about how they can make the most of the rest of their summer. To put myself in their shoes, I decided to reflect on what I was doing two years ago in preparation for senior year. I think this exercise will improve my advising, and I hope you find it useful, too!

One note as I begin: AP scores just came out! At your next session it may help to set aside a few minutes to check in with your HSF (if they took APs this year) about how they are feeling and to remind them that this year more than any other, test scores are not the most important piece of an application.

The summer before my senior year, I made my preliminary college list, worked on my college essay, and attended a college fair. (Lisbette wrote a great blog post on working on the college essay, and I highly recommend it!) Looking back, it was a singular college fair that gave me the confidence to apply to reach schools on my list and the tools I needed for my interviews. I remember being nervous and sweaty in the hot, bustling, and murmuring gym. With each conversation and information packet, I conquered some of my nerves. I learned about schools I was interested in, and schools I had not considered before. The proximity of the tables and atmosphere of the fair made the “brand name” schools less intimidating; whether I intended to or not, I would find myself near schools that caught my eye, even if I had not researched them before. When I approached the table for Yale, the admissions officer commented on my name, which made my nerves go away. I left with the confidence that applying to a reach school like Yale was possible. In short, the college fair gave me the confidence to apply and more experience with schools than cursory internet searches provided. It took me beyond surface-level google searches and outside my comfort zone, and it introduced me to the officer who (as it turns out) later read and accepted my application! 

College Fairs in a Pandemic

Because of the pandemic, many college fairs are being held virtually. Even so, virtual college fairs present a large array of schools to consider and foster skills that can come in handy for interviews. Below are some tips and resources to share with your HSF if they have the chance to attend a fair. 

Tips for Success at a College Fair (virtual or in-person)

  • Make sure to introduce yourself when talking one on one. Over Zoom this may be less common, but if a small group discussion arises introductions are a good starting point.

  • Come with questions! Ask questions that are not readily available on the school’s website such as: What do students like most about your school? What kinds of students are happiest at your school? What academic programs are the most popular at your college? As well as questions that are specific to a school you have researched.

  • Explore at least 5 schools not on your list

  • Say thank you at the end of a small group discussion, one on one, or even a large virtual panel.

Resources

Be sure to advise your HSF to take a look at their school’s websites to check for fairs or virtual programming there.

Concluding Thoughts

As August approaches, I am reminding myself and my HSFs of my main takeaway from the college fair — stay open.

Guest User
Previous

The College Interview
Next

Tips for Writing (and Rewriting) the Personal Statement