It’s the “American Idol” of college admissions.
The Big Apple College Information Program this weekend enables area students to meet and potentially wow college admissions representatives from schools nationwide, all in one setting.
Developed in 1979 from a modest beginning, the one-day fair, now in its 32nd year, has grown into an event so large that it will be held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center to accommodate the expected 6,500-7,000 attendees, according to Linda Bridgewater, fair coordinator and secretary on its Board of Directors.
Founded by Dr. Ann Kaplan, an admissions counselor, the initial purpose was to give New York City high school students an opportunity to meet college representatives in one place. Today, over 230 colleges and universities are slated to exhibit at the fair, according to Bridgewater, about half of which are from the New York region.
Although its format hasn’t shifted much over the years, today, besides visiting the booths of college exhibitors, students and their parents can also attend financial aid workshops, attend admissions panel discussions, and get advice from the New York 529 Savings Program, which details how to save money tax free for college-bound students, according to Bridgewater. Topics in these sessions include early decision, early admission, grants, scholarships and loans opportunities.
Scholarships are also awarded, raffle-style, toward 10 high school seniors each year at the fair.
“We give each recipient $10,000 to apply to the college he or she enrolls in,” explains Bridgewater.
The advantage of an in-person exchange with an admissions counselor at the fair cannot be minimized, according to Bridgewater.
“Representatives care and can find a place for you at their school,” she says.
In order to stand out during the 30 seconds to one minute of face time you’ll realistically be allotted with each admissions representative, here are some pointers from area college admissions officers:
Says Sunil Samuel, director of admissions, Hofstra University:
* “Nine out of 10 times, the admissions representative you meet, is the one reading your application. It’s a great relationship you can establish at the fair. You need to approach it with this mindset.”
* “Admissions representatives track how many times a particular student has a ‘touch point’ with the institution,” (follow-up via email, phone call, visit to the college’s booth at another college fair, etc.) “We do this to whittle down who is really interested in our school and who is not.”
* “Do background research to narrow down which schools you want to attend. Look at academic majors, how far away the school is and what kind of aid you hope to receive.”
Says Christine Murphy, executive director of admissions for Adelphi University:
* “The more groundwork you can do beforehand, the more productive your day at the fair will be. For starters, use the College Board’s matchmaker online tool (collegesearch.collegeboard.com) which provides a list of schools based on your information.”
* “Get recommendations from your teachers and guidance counselors who know your strengths. They are great resources in helping you build your ideal list of colleges to attend.”
* “Spend your time well. Rather than waste it filling out inquiry cards at booths, prepare return-mail labels in advance or hand out business cards to admissions representatives. It gives off a very positive impression too.”
* “Similar to a job interview, make eye contact, shake hands and stay engaged while dialoguing with admissions representatives. Don’t let your parent take the lead in the conversation. Practice speaking with friends and family about your accomplishments and strengths. It’s an important life skill.”
* “Stay organized. You’re sure to receive a lot of mail when you return home in the days after the fair. It can be overwhelming. Don’t let it. Create folders for information about colleges you’re interested in — including Open Houses.”
Says Margarita David, assistant director of admissions, St. John’s University:
* “Research a school prior to the fair to find out whether they offer a preferred major, where the school is located, the size of its population, average standardized test score requirements and application deadline.”
* “Get to the fair early — it’s your best chance of getting more face time with admissions representatives.”
* “Be self-assured, respectful and professional. We appreciate when students dress up. You don’t need to wear a business suit, but don’t look like you rolled out of bed. It reflects badly on you.”
Says Karen Vahey, director of undergraduate admissions, St. John’s University Queens campus:
* “Make connections. It’s helpful to attach a face to an otherwise impersonal process. Once you meet and greet an admissions rep, you should ask for his/her contact info and remain in touch throughout the application process. In a one-minute exchange, students can make a nice impression.”
* “Be inquisitive. I like students to have a list of questions about their desired majors, job opportunities post-graduation, or whether or not with their G.P.A. scores they stand a decent chance of gaining admission.”
* “Attend financial aid workshops. If you’re nervous about paying for college, which forms to complete and the financial aid process in general, representatives will break it down for you and your family onsite.”