<p>As the school year gets underway, admissions officers/representatives from a multitude of colleges are starting to visit my school. There is a list posted of the colleges coming in the next two months, the dates and times, and a note indicating that they all meet in the guidance center. </p>
<p>As a junior this year, I have a pretty good idea of what I'm looking for in a college, and a list of about 15 schools that have caught my interest for various reasons. What I'm wondering is this: What happens during these meetings? Will the representative give a presentation, or am I expected to come with specific questions? I don't have any--yet--and I don't want to appear ignorant.</p>
<p>I'm especially worried because it seems likely that I will be the only one from my school interested in some of these colleges (i.e., Pomona). We've sent 2 kids to Ivy League schools in the last five years (along with a few to Georgetown, WashU, etc.), to give you an idea. I'm not a big fan of drawn-out awkward silences.</p>
<p>I went to one at my school last year where I was the only studen there... it was really awkward at first, but it was great (sans the fact that a few months later I decided I wouldn't even bother applying).</p>
<p>Generally, they talk a little about the school and then are open for questions. I generally make them up on the spot; I mean honestly, everything that anyone has ever asked at my school you can find on the website. But then again, I'm not the best at knowing what to ask...</p>
<p>Most likely the meeting will go in whatever direction the students want it to go. If everyone seems interested in study abroad, the ad. officer will talk about that. Or scholarships. Or specific programs.</p>
<p>My suggestion would be to simply go to the meetings and ask a (decent) question or two so that you're not the student sitting in the corner who doesn't speak, especially if it's a school that wants students who want them (ie WUSTL) and they note things like that.</p>
<p>Usually when colleges come visit your school, they describe what the school is and the area around it. Most of the time however, is devoted to you asking questions about whatever concerns you have. I really suggest that you take advantage and ask as many questions as you can. As the OP said, they tend to go in a specific direction, like financial aid, scholarships, etc. Make a list of questions or things that you want to know about those colleges before hand. This is one of the few opportunities you have to get personal and learn as much as you can about the college so that you can make a strong decision.</p>
<p>All right. Sounds like a good plan. I'm mostly just nervous about the potential for a one-on-one Q&A session, as I'm imfamously horrid at striking up lively conversations with strangers. I'm also not full of specific questions, as I'm only just beginning to develop my list of schools...Would it be all right if I just asked about the major that interests me? Will the rep know enough to tell me about it?</p>
<p>Is it a good idea to ask questions about stereotypes or other possible shortcomings of the school? For example, there is one college that sends reps to my high school a lot, and it's an extremely conservative Christian school. Would it be appropriate to ask about student diversity and the mindset of the student body? I know for sure that the school is nearly all white and from rural areas. Would I ask this just to see how they answer?</p>
<p>Just out of... curiosity, are you supposed to go to these meetings as a junior or senior? I feel like it'd be too late next year, but this year I feel like it's a bit too early...</p>
<p>
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Would it be all right if I just asked about the major that interests me? Will the rep know enough to tell me about it?
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Sure, it couldn't hurt to ask- the worst thing that can happen is that they just don't know. But if they don't, they may be well versed in the department (i.e. if they don't know enough about bio, they may know a bit about life sciences or sciences in general). I've had either hit or misses from the reps at my school on the topic of my intended major; and the "misses" knew a good deal that satisfied my general questions (although I didn't have any nit-picky questions such as retention rates among bme majors; more along the lines of study abroad for engineers).</p>
<p>
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Would I ask this just to see how they answer?
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They may be honest, or they may give a typical answer, such as "we've been striving to increase student body diversity." It really is another hit or miss topic.</p>
<p>
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are you supposed to go to these meetings as a junior or senior?
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At my school, both juniors and seniors go. Typically, more juniors go because they'll go wherever interests them, while this year I'm only going to 1 (vs. 4-5 last year), because only one school I'm applying to (as of now) is coming.</p>
<p>So, to ensure that I understand: Most college representatives come with a fairly informal presentation-ish background information speech, followed by a longer period for questions? How long does this usually last?</p>
<p>^Ok, I usually don't point these things out, but I really want to know this. 30 minutes to a half hour? I do believe both are equal to 30 minutes. My school has 40 minute periods, so would they try to keep it within this time?</p>
<p>I'm getting the impression that it depends on how many kids are there and how many questions they ask. My GC told me today that ours will last anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour.</p>
<p>Argggh.
What's with me and stupid typo's lately?</p>
<p>Make that 30 minutes to an HOUR.</p>
<p>
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My school has 40 minute periods, so would they try to keep it within this time?
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When ours are during class periods, they're usually a specific time limit. However, if they're not, my school's teachers tend to be very understanding (and don't mind if you have to miss part of a class or all of one).</p>
<p>man you guys are lucky you get admissions reps..</p>
<p>at my school, awhile back, some kids started whining about military recruiters handing out brochures.. that triggered a school board meeting that ended up disallowing any reps on school campus..military reps, college reps, and all :[</p>
<p>My school has them but they never get any of the good colleges to come in. And there are usually just 2 or 3 students that go to each one. Perhaps people from my school would start aiming higher if they new what was up there.</p>
<p>Would it be best not to go as a junior if my school specifically announces these to seniors, and typically only seniors go? I might like to go to a few of these but it would be all seniors.</p>
<p>I'm asking for information about information sessions....</p>
<p>My Pomona and Macalester visits were today. The first was Pomona...virtually the second I walked into the school building. Problem was, I'm actually pretty sick right now (isn't everyone?). Also, I arrived at the Guidance Activity Center to find that there was another rep visit for a large state school going on at the same time...the noise was fairly deafening. And (gasp!) I was the only student interested in Pomona. </p>
<p>Basically, I just sat across the table from the admissions officer concentrating every available effort on smiling and nodding and asking good questions while avoiding throwing up. That lasted half an hour. Strangely enough, I'm really excited about Pomona now.</p>
<p>Later this afternoon, it was time for Macalester. I was feeling a bit better by then, and as luck would have it, ONE other guy showed up, so I wasn't alone. I got to listen to the rep talk while enjoying the fact that her eyes were flicking back and forth between me and the guy, not boring into my brain.</p>
<p>All in all, I found the visits very informative from a background standpoint. Both the reps had graduated from the colleges within the last couple of years and both were highly enthusiastic about their respective schools (probably why they were hired, but still). I guess the next step will be visiting campuses to determine the atmosphere of the colleges myself. </p>
<p>Thanks for the info guys (semi-thread hack, sorry op! great question, btw)...i'm so annoyed my school only lets seniors go to these things...I was even invited specifically to go to a certain college (long relationship, etc) and they were like NO! we don't want you to go. I HATE MY SCHOOL!/LIFE!</p>
<p>^^^ Hehe, no problem. That's really strange, too...at my school, the guidance department is overjoyed if you show even the slightest interest in college during the first part of junior year. Are there any large-scale college fairs coming to your area? If so, you could talk to reps there.</p>
<p>And just for the record...the Carleton visit was my favorite. The representative was an English major, like I hope to be, and it definitely got me excited to go north sometime soon.</p>