I just found out there’s one in our area this evening. The description is that there’s an opening presentation followed by a college fair.
What’s the purpose of these? I’d love for my kids to look at a bunch of the CTCL, but I’m wondering if you can get a feel for the schools from wandering from table to table.
We went last year and completely loved it…and my kid ended up applying to two of the schools represented there.
i will say that the opening presentation was just meh…honestly, you could miss it…but just be sure to attend the college fair part…its a great way to meet with 40 or more college counselors at one time…
Thanks @SouthernHope. Is it like interviews, or much more casual?
Much more casual…you just walk from table to table…it’s cool…all of the colleges are intriguing…and the counselors are great at answering questions…it opened our eyes to colleges that weren’t on our radar…
I brought my son to one two years ago. He was already considering some of the colleges, and it was a way of demonstrating interest at some colleges like Whitman that we didn’t think we’d be able to visit. He applied to six CTCL schools, and was accepted at five (Reed waitlisted him). All five offered him merit aid, ranging from $7500 (Whitman) to $19k (Eckerd and Willamette). It was interesting, and I recommend it if it’s convenient for you.
We went to the one in NY last night. I agree about the opening presentation - just eh. I was hoping for a lot more. They did have a few good pointers that I think resonated with my daughter, though. We were primarily interested in one of the schools. Their Dean of Admissions was behind the table and we were able to have a good conversation with him. It was crowded, but they took the time to answer questions, which was nice.
I actually liked the presentation. Maybe not news for a lot of us already thinking about these schools but a good pep talk and good for kids to hear. The college fair piece is an opportunity to talk with admissions counselors and hear their spiels. Like any college fair, it’s all more useful if you’ve pre-vetted the colleges in advance so know which tables you want to focus on.
We went tonight as well. We have the book and while I read many of the profiles, it otherwise it has been collecting dust. D read a few profiles on my urging while in the car. It lit a spark and she had some great questions for some of the admissions folks. She seemed to really connect with one particular rep and we hogged that table for awhile. That culminated in an urging for her to visit in the fall, with a hint of a big open house date that is not yet published! Only a soph, but it lit a bit of a spark.
@porcupine98 We also thought the speaker was pretty good – my husband was laughing quite a bit. It was pretty generic stuff, and reminded me a bit of a lecture I heard at the Smith open house : “Parents’ Survival Guide to the College Application Process.” The thing that seemed to stick with my daughters is that the college process doesn’t have to be an all-consuming thing… not something that many parents on CC want to hear though.
@Viking2015 That was exactly our experience. Mine had several they were vaguely interested in from reading generic profiles. They crossed a few off of the list and are excited about two. I think it was time well spent!
@Pheebers The only ones crossed off the list were Wheaton (IL) and Wabash. The religious aspect of Wheaton is not appealing to her, but that is not meant to discount the quality of the school. (We are receiving mailing from them anyway, D mistakenly requested info from them when she meant to request from Wheaton (MA).) Wabash, all male is not for her, but she did wonder what schools were close by!
We have time to whittle our list down.
@Pheebers Yes, it was nice to start the evening laughing. And our experience was much like yours. We went in with a list of schools we either already knew we were interested or thought it was possible we might become interested in, touched base with a few schools we already knew we liked, talked to a bunch of others and left with three more options and more clarity about some others we’d thought about, but decided didn’t rise to the top for one reason or another. And it was a good size – something for everyone.
@Viking2015 I’ve mistaken the two Wheatons myself, so I know how easy that is! And my Ds are trying to completely avoid religious schools, so I do understand. 
We went in the summer of 2013. We enjoyed the presentation and the fair. My D15 ended up applying to and was admitted to 6 CTCL schools (will attend Beloit College). Merit was very good for all her CTCL schools.