Fairfield - demonstrating interest without visit

Colleges and Universities A-Z Fairfield University
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Daughter likes Fairfield and thinks it’s in her top five. (It’s a solid target for her). We live in Oregon and a visit this fall just isn’t feasible. I know they really value Demonstrated interest.
She’s done a zoom interview with a student and is opening all of their emails. She emailed with a professor who was very gracious with his time. Has done the virtual tour several times. She emailed her AO with a legit question a month ago, but they never responded. They don’t seem to offer any virtual admissions sessions. Anything else she can do? She will apply early action, full pay.
Hard to find a lot of info online on Fairfield. Thanks!

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See if doing the online session and your ask you to put your name.

You might even write the AO and say I’ve watched the info session and taken the tour - but there are no live sessions. Will you offer virtual live sessions?

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I think D has done a strong job in demonstrating interest already. It could be that the AO is on vacation – if she doesn’t hear back by the fall, perhaps try one more time.

Here are some typical ways to demonstrate interest other than visiting – she has done a number of them already.

  1. D should get on the mailing list.
  2. If the college gives a presentation near you or at your HS D should attend.
  3. If the college attends a college fair near you then D should try to attend and visit the school’s booth.
  4. D can request a local alumni interview if they are available.
  5. Some colleges have online question & answer sessions/information sessions so if available D can participate in those.
  6. If D has a question that can’t be answered by carefully reading the website she can email her admissions rep to ask.
  7. D can read up on the school (website, college guide books such as Fiske, Princeton Review) to get some additional insight into the college.
  8. In the case of Fairfield, I’d be sure D understands the Jesuit core curriculum (there is likely a course catalog online or information on the website) and why it is an important aspect of the university.
  9. If there is a “why Fairfield” question on the application D should develop a thoughtful reply incorporating some of the information she has learned about the college (perhaps incorporating the correspondence with the professor.)

FWIW AOs typically don’t expect applicants to fly in for a visit.

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Will her regional AO do information sessions at her HS or at a local college fair? If so, she should sign up for one and introduce herself. See if there are any new online info sessions as the school year gets underway (they might not have been announced yet). She should definitely write a highly tailored “why Fairfield” essay, if there is one.

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We are in Oregon so there are no local opportunities and no fairs, etc where Fairfield (CT) participates which is making it hard. I know they waitlist qualified kids who don’t show enough interest, but i guess we have done all we can given the distance.

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Fairfield’s a terrific school! I used to teach HS in southeastern Conn., and we sent a lot of our students there. Good luck! Maybe your kid will get points for geographic diversity?

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Your D may want to try re-sending her email to her AO in the fall.

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If it is her top choice and is affordable, she can apply early decision, which is the strongest way to show a high level of interest.

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Not her top, but in top five.

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Will try. She sent one in May and one in July, he never replied to either. I checked and he is still working there. The other AOs (Denver, Santa Clara, Elon, Syracuse, IU, Lehigh, F &M) have all been great about responding and helping set up side conversations with students, etc.

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Have her call and leave him a vmx asking to speak with a student ambassador.

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