Academics

• What programs are you most proud of?
• Are first-year students given priority for picking courses? 
• What programs are the most popular?
• How does my favorite class in high school translate into a major?
• What help is there for students who speak English as a second language, who use American Sign Language, or who experience learning differences or other considerations? 

Admissions

• What should I know about competitive majors? Does "competitive" mean there are extra considerations for acceptance, or that there are limited spaces?
• What do students like and dislike about attending this school?
• Are there any students I can talk to about their experience?

Tuition and Cost

• Are there any program-specific financial aid or scholarship programs I should know about? 
• What opportunities are available for international, underrepresented, or other students with special circumstances?

Campus Life

• If a club I'm interested in doesn't exist, can I start that club?
• What do students do during their free time?
• What kind of restaurants and activities are near campus?
• What is the workload like for my major?
• What kind of safety measures are there on campus?

Job Searching

• What do graduates of my major go on to do?
• How can I make the most of my alumni network?

First, you will want to be able to say (off the top of your head) what your GPA is, what honors or AP classes you are currently taking or plan to take, and any activities you are interested in or currently involved in. This information can help a college representative give you more helpful answers to your questions.

Next, you will want to set some goals. Be realistic - the College Fair is only 1.5 hours long, so you will need to prioritize. Don't worry about talking to every single school there, and don't approach the College Fair as a means of selling yourself directly to the colleges in question. First and foremost, the College Fair is for you to learn more about the schools.

You should use this event as an opportunity to get information, not as a trial run for your application. Schools will be meeting with many students in a short amount of time, so you're unlikely to make a lasting impression. Use your time to learn rather than putting on an impressive show.

With that in mind, think about questions like how many schools you want to talk to and what information you want to get out of them.

Since you made a plan (see above), you are on the right track for getting the best possible experience out of the College Fair, but there's still more you can do:

#1: Dress to Impress

Don't worry about looking extremely fancy, but do put a little effort into your outfit. Focus on the clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident. Think button-up shirts, skirts, and professional-looking pants like corduroy, khakis, or chinos. Formal wear isn't necessary, but do put in a little more effort than you might on an average day at school. Now, put on your best confident smile, because you are there to impress! 

#2: Bring Supplies

You should bring a bottle of water—you are going to be doing a lot of talking—as well as a notebook and pen. Not only will taking notes help make sure you don't forget each college's answer to your questions, but taking a moment to jot down some notes after each conversation will make sure you remember it better. 

#3: Be Genuine

When you are talking to representatives of each school, don't worry about being the most impressive person in the room, but do think about being your authentic self. Be honest and forthcoming and express genuine interest. Don't try to impress based on things you don't actually feel, believe, or do, because not only can admissions officers pick up on that, but it is also more likely to lead to a college being a poor fit. The best college for you isn't always the most prestigious one—you want a school that is going to lead to academic success, a great pathway to a career, and a fulfilling education, not one that is just going to carry the star power of a familiar name.

#4: Check Out Unfamiliar Colleges

You should set aside at least a little time to talk with colleges you may not have heard of. The biggest, most memorable names may not actually be the best fit—smaller schools may surprise you! That is why it's good to have general questions to ask when attending a college fair: you don't want to be left scrambling for conversation when your dream school might be right in front of you.

#5: Follow Up

Be sure to grab brochures, an application, financial aid information, and business cards from representatives if they are available. You can even send a follow-up to whoever you speak to; it is a great way to show initiative and interest. Besides, you will want all that information later on when it is time to apply—thanks to your hard work and planning, you have everything you need to find the perfect school for you!

After you get home from the College Fair, try to figure out which colleges made the best impression on you. Reflect on your conversations with the college representatives. Did the representative say anything that excited you about the college? Did you hear anything that made you feel like that school was a place you could see yourself at? Review the notes you took during the College Fair. Also, organize and review the material you collected. Think about making a folder or file for each college you are considering to help you stay organized.

If you decide that you are definitely not interested in a school, you can get rid of its material. You can avoid clutter and focus on the schools you are interested in. Then, continue to research the colleges that interest you. You can discuss your college options with teachers, counselors, and parents. If you know any current students or alumni from the colleges, talk to them about their experiences.

You can also use Niche, a website that provides college rankings and offers student-reviews of colleges. The reviews are about every aspect of the college, including financial aid, academics, parties, and the overall experience.

Finally, if possible, plan campus visits. If you are able to visit a college, you can get an official campus tour and often schedule a meeting at the admissions office. Sometimes you are even able to sit in on a class. There really is no better way to determine if you will enjoy attending a specific college than by actually spending time there. Attending the College Fair is a good step to decide which schools you want to visit.