<p>Today my dad told me about a prep school fair that I would be attending later. He said some of the AOs from all of the tsao schools would be attending. So now he told me to start stalking the websites of each of the schools to find questions to make the aos remember me. If any of you have been to or heard anything about these fairs or meetings any advice is very much appreaciated.</p>
<p>-Me</p>
<p>I don’t know if I would call it a “fair”, but I’ve been to a TSAO event where each of the ten schools send representatives to talk about their school. For me, it was really important in deciding which schools to apply to. As for questions, I think you can opt to do an interview sometime during the event, but otherwise I don’t think the impression you make on the AOs is that influential in your boarding school applications. Just ask what you want to know! That’s not to say you shouldn’t try and make a good first impression though. Definitely be polite and ask good questions.</p>
<p>If you want to apply to any of the TSAOs and they are travelling in your area, definitely try and arrange an interview!!! This may substitute for your having to trek all the way up to one of those schools for an interview.</p>
<p>Definitely go. It is a very efficient way to learn about new schools and confirm your interest in schools you already know. Yes, you can make an impression on the AOs, if it is genuine. My daughter really clicked with two AOs (it was a mutual interest thing; she did not prepare at all) and they remembered her when she went for her onsite interview. On the other hand, we were both turned off by a very frigid rep from a school she had been very interested in. The fair was local and maybe took 90 mins at most. Much better than driving a few hrs to get the “first cut” experience. Of course, there is no replacement for onsite visits and meeting actual students. BTW, my daughter started last week at one of those schools from the fair.</p>
<p>Hey that’s awesome to know thanks guys.</p>
<p>How long is each interview at the fair? Thanks</p>
<p>I would say interview is an overstatement. It’s less formal. The fair we went to was held in the host school’s gymnasium. Each school had a table which contained pamphlets and little gifts(magnets, pens, etc.) with school logos. The AOs stand behind the table and are available to chat with you as you stop by. Some table were more crowded than others. Some AOs more engaging than others. The AOs are trying to sell the school, you can ask questions and they’ll answer. There is some Q & A but not close to what you should expect in an on campus interview. Even at the crowded tables stay and wait until the crowd disappears and you can actually meet the AO and get a sense about whether this is the school for you.</p>