Prepare before college fair

Spring is the season for college fairs, and college-bound sophomores and juniors can begin their college search at a variety of fairs held throughout the nation. Most fairs are held in large auditoriums or convention halls, and it's typical to see representatives from dozens of colleges from across the nation (and even the world). However, college fairs can be intimidating and are often crowded, noisy and chaotic, so it's best to go with a plan.

Juniors who have done their homework before attending a college fair will get the most from the experience. If you have special interests or career goals, use that knowledge to establish criteria for colleges you might speak with. The College Board and Princeton Review Web sites have useful tools that allow students to identify colleges that meet certain criteria such as specific majors or programs. After using one of these Web-based tools, students can go to a college fair with a prepared list of colleges to see and talk to.

Students who have specific geographic desires — for example, wanting to be in an area with access to year-round outdoor activities — or other criteria, such as wanting a religiously affiliated college, can attend a fair with a prepared list of colleges that seem likely to meet those pre-established criteria.

Before the fair, students should determine basic entrance requirements for both public and private colleges they might be interested in attending. Web sites of all colleges provide detailed information about required courses, entrance exams and the average grades and scores of previously admitted students. Students should also know the cost of attending both public and private colleges and discuss finances with parents.

At the fair, college representatives will have interest cards that students can complete. Colleges use these cards to create mailing lists as a way to communicate with prospective applicants, so it's efficient and useful for students to come with pre-printed mailing labels to affix to the interest cards. The labels should include the student's name, address, phone, e-mail, high school name and possible major interest.

Esther Lopez, associate director of admissions at Saint Mary's College of California in Moraga, thinks it's a good idea for students to speak to the representatives of colleges, especially those they aren't familiar with or that are in remote, difficult-to-visit locations. Though it might be intimidating to speak to a representative at a fair, in many cases that person is the one who will be reading and evaluating the applications next fall, so it's a good idea to put a face to your name.