I was talking to my teacher the other day and she was telling all of us that we could get on the spot acceptance at this college fair (senior field trip). So I was just wondering if there’s even a good chance of this, or is that a once in a blue moon kind of thing? Thanks!
I .guess anything is possible but I never heard of that happening. How would the college have your transcript, standardized test scores etc. and have time to make a proper assessment?
Yes. Some colleges do offer on the spot admissions at college fairs. The representatives will need to look at your transcript and your test scores if you have them. So be sure to take copies with you.
Remember that an offer of admission doesn’t mean the college or university will be affordable for you. You will still need to apply for financial aid.
Your guidance counselor can tell you which of the places that will be a this fair are likely to accept you based on your current record.
We were advised to bring a copy of our transcript and test scores (And possibly a resume or short personal essay). I’m assuming maybe based off of that, as well as the interaction?
Ah, I see. Thanks!
Would it be the kind of thing where they would look over it while you were still at the booth and offer you admission right away, or does on the spot just mean sometime during the fair, or perhaps would they just email you the next day or so about it?
If an open admission community college is there, it may give an immediate admission.
Bard has been known to do this, but I think on its campus. If the pattern is the same though, you should expect a decision that same day at the college fair. You might also win a stuffed animal. In all seriousness, good luck.
Haha, thank you. What happens once you walk away from the booth though? Do they eventually yell your name to tell you that you’ve been accepted? Ha, that seems even more ridiculous seeing it typed out, but I’m still a little confused at how they go about it.
I haven’t heard of it at fairs, but our school has instant decision days every year. They interview, review transcripts and scores right there and you know before you leave the room. I don’t personally know anyone who’s done it but they have them every year.
I imagine they’d communicate to you directly and professionally. “We’ll have your decision in 30 minutes.” That type of thing. You will just need to listen and be polite.
(“On the spot” suggests “at that place,” so think there, but not necessarily “instantaneous.”)
Sure would help if some would name colleges- OP, what schools are you thinking of? Except for a comm college, who tells kids they’re in based on a few minutes in a crowd around a booth?
Better, OP is You look at the info your target colleges do present on their web pags. Nearly every one details the process and requirements. I personally have yet to see on that says, “Come to a college fair.”
At trade schools fairs, yes.
This is in Georgia (PROBE fair) so there’s gonna be a ton of schools there, most that are in Georgia. The ones I plan on looking at are UGA, Georgia State, Georgia Southern, Mercer, Kennesaw, Fort Valley, Spelman, Valdosta, West Georgia, Savannah State (The first 3 are in order of interest, but after that it’s basically just schools I’ve heard a little about).
@wiseguru I have been to Probe fairs the last 3 years and their have been some on the spot acceptances (especially amongst the HBCUs and seemed to happen more often with the Spring Probe tour), and application fee waivers.
Colleges that give “on the spot” acceptances are schools that have minimal requirements and/or are desperate to meet their enrolment goals. You will not get such an acceptance from UGA.
@ChangeTheGame How did they let these students know about their acceptances?
@wiseguru Your top 3 schools on your list won’t give you an on the spot acceptance. The schools who did the on the spot acceptances that I saw basically gave the students a conditional acceptance on the spot and had the students fill out some information. The students had copies of their transcripts, standardized test scores, and an academic resume. Some of the schools were even able to offer a financial incentive (scholarships based on info provided by the students). The students would still need to add those schools to their FAFSA profile and some still wanted official test scores and transcripts sent to their institutions. I have gone to Probe gatherings for a few years now and I seem to only remember the on the spot offers occurring in the spring, but I could be wrong on that part. @TomSrOfBoston is right that the schools offering on the spot acceptances tend to have high acceptance rates (70%+).