Today, Monday, Sep. 17, more than 100 colleges and universities will be in the school cafeteria from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to answer questions for students and their parents.

According to guidance counselors, students and their parents are encouraged to come in the students junior and senior year, so they have the information closer to the application process.

“A lot of people go to the college fair with a lot questions,” counselor Jeff Strowe said. “When they meet with the colleges, they get very specific answers from the actual school. It is information that they can take and go straight into the planning process with.”

Junior Taylor McCoy said she sees an importance in students attending.

“I think it’s important to explore the many opportunities and options available to students as we head into life on our own,” McCoy said.

Each university will have a table with two admissions representatives there to answer questions.

“Parents and students can say anything from ‘Hey I’ve never heard of your school before,’ to ‘Hey, this is my first choice. I already applied, what specifically do I need to do while I’m waiting?” counselors said.

Students are advised to come with questions prepared, so the process goes smoothly, and everyone has time to speak with the representatives.

“Counselors and teachers will be there to keep everyone moving in a logical process,” Strowe said. ”The representatives have business cards and contact information, and they encourage the families to reach out via email afterwards.”

With admission representatives present, students will be able to get specific answers from the schools they want to attend.

“Go online and see what colleges are gonna be there,” Strowe said. “Pick out the couple of schools your interested in, and make some specific questions for those schools. For example, ‘I’ve heard there’s a waitlist. If I’m put on the waitlist, what do I need to do to get put off that waitlist?”

Teachers, such as Tiffany Ballard, said she believes attending the college fair can give students an edge above those who don’t when it comes to applying.

“You can walk out saying I absolutely belong at this place,” Ballard said. “I’ve taken this course. I do have a high enough gpa, sat, or act score. You have the opportunity to speak with representatives from there and know that you are qualified. It helps you more than just looking it up online.”

Strowe recommends for students to talk to universities they have never heard of before or were not as interested in at first.

“Even if your dead set on one specific school, go to a table of a college you’ve never thought of before,” Strowe said. “If anything it’s going to give you a different perspective and new things to think about. A lot of students are caught up on one or two other schools, and they can come across a table of a school they’ve never heard of before and start a conversation.”

If students don’t know what school they want to go to or want, he advised they speak with as many representatives as they can. 

“If I were a student coming to this, I would be prepared with a list of questions that you can ask to any college, Strowe said. “How big are average classes for first-year students? Do most students live on or off campus? What’s fun to do there? I’m interested in taking this, how quickly can I start taking these classes my freshman year?

Students will need to register for the fair online with their information and print out a barcode, so the students can give their information to the admissions representatives in a timely manner.