<p>I've found them to be helpful, but it's true that a lot of the information can be found online. But they also usually answer questions, which is helpful. It counts as demonstrated interest to the college. Plus, sometimes they have free refreshments :)</p>
<p>I've been to that one! ...In NY. I had no idea what to look for at first, so the first couple general meetings were really helpful. I preferred the slightly more personal general meetings over combing their sites. What the reps talk about is almost like a cheat sheet or condensed version of their websites; they point out the most important/interesting topics that you can miss out on by simply skimming sites... AND free refreshments are always nice. Don't forget to take notes just in case that college has a "why us" question on their app!</p>
<p>Yeah the ones I've gone to haven't been much more than what I had/could have found out online. I find that it's nice to just be in the presence of somebody from the school and listening is a little easier than reading, but I wouldn't go if it were out of my way.</p>
<p>I actually really liked that one. Mainly because of the breakout sessions after. You can actually wander from session to session and listen or ask questions of each of the schools. That one was pretty well done.</p>
<p>I've heard parents say that they thought it was helpful for seniors (or juniors in the spring) to introduce themselves specifically to the admission officers of the colleges that they are sure to apply to. This year is my son's turn to do that. I find the meetings helpful. I like to ask questions at those meetings on the issues that are most debated here on College Confidential.</p>
<p>Yale has announced dates and locations for its spring joint travel program with Brown and MIT: </p>
<p>Yale</a> Events Near You</p>
<p>Northwestern University will have spring 2009 information sessions in various places, including overseas. </p>
<p>Northwestern</a> in your area, Office of Undergraduate Admission - Northwestern University</p>
<p>The Wake Forest conference Rethinking Admissions </p>
<p>[WFU</a> | Rethinking Admissions](<a href=“http://www.wfu.edu/provost/rethinkingadmissions/]WFU”>About the Conference - Rethinking Admissions (2009)) </p>
<p>might be of interest in helping attendees understand the process better.</p>
<p>Webpage links for some colleges traveling in spring 2009: </p>
<p>[Admission</a> Travel Schedule](<a href=“http://www.champlain.edu/Undergraduate-Studies/Admission/Admission-Travel-Schedule.html]Admission”>http://www.champlain.edu/Undergraduate-Studies/Admission/Admission-Travel-Schedule.html) </p>
<p>[College</a> Fairs](<a href=“http://www.colby-sawyer.edu/admissions/visit/fairs.html]College”>http://www.colby-sawyer.edu/admissions/visit/fairs.html) </p>
<p>[The</a> University of Maine - Office of Admissions - College Fairs & High School Visits Schedule](<a href=“http://www.go.umaine.edu/travel.html]The”>http://www.go.umaine.edu/travel.html) </p>
<p><a href=“https://admission.wellesley.edu/secure/on_the_road/index_spring.cfm[/url]”>https://admission.wellesley.edu/secure/on_the_road/index_spring.cfm</a> </p>
<p>[Admission</a> Officer Travel](<a href=“http://www.whitman.edu/content/admission/whitman-on-the-road/travel]Admission”>http://www.whitman.edu/content/admission/whitman-on-the-road/travel) </p>
<p>[Wittenberg</a> University :: Office of Admission -Admission Travel](<a href=“http://www4.wittenberg.edu/administration/admission/contact/travel/]Wittenberg”>http://www4.wittenberg.edu/administration/admission/contact/travel/)</p>
<p>Bump. Just came across this thread and am heading to a college fair soon. My son unfortunately has a conflict and cannot go so I am his surrogate. Does it hurt his chances if I fill out info cards on his behalf or engage admissions people with questions? I understand that some think it can count against a student if it’s the parent making the inquiries in general.</p>
<p>I had to go to one meeting solo last year because my son was in an evening class, and that is what I said. I don’t think it looks too much like a hovering parent to cover for a child’s schedule conflict. Of course, when your child can attend, he can form his own impressions about the colleges. Years ago, actually, we did it the other way around and dropped off our son at a meeting neither my wife nor I could attend that evening. My son ended up liking that college very well, and so later on we wanted to attend the same college’s meeting to see what the big deal was. </p>
<p>Enjoy the college fair. I’d be glad to hear what you think of it.</p>
<p>Harvard’s online list of information sessions </p>
<p>[Harvard</a> College Admissions Office: Harvard in Your Hometown](<a href=“http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/utilities/travel_schedule/index.cgi]Harvard”>http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/utilities/travel_schedule/index.cgi) </p>
<p>has been updated to include the spring 2009 sessions, many of those being joint sessions in the Exploring College Options series.</p>
<p>Stanford’s list of spring 2009 visits </p>
<p>[Stanford</a> in Your Area : Stanford University](<a href=“http://www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/basics/areas/index.html]Stanford”>http://www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/basics/areas/index.html) </p>
<p>is up.</p>
<p>Since you asked for my impressions: I found the college fair very useful and inspiring if a bit chaotic (overhearing other parents saying things such as ‘What a zoo!’). I would advise anyone who hasn’t been to one before to arrive early to avoid some of the crush.</p>
<p>One humorous “downside”: I took home a brochure from St. Andrews University in Scotland for my son, who could not attend, and now he is dying to attend, sees it as a perfect fit. Why couldn’t I have only brought home only info from the budget-priced ones?!</p>