I am not going to tell you how many college fairs I have attended in my 17 years in admission, but let’s put the over/under at A LOT. Why title this “a view from the trashcan”?
I have not always worked for a college that begins with the letter G, which currently puts me in the middle of a college fair floorplan (colleges are usually arranged in alphabetical order—more on that later!).
I spent many years at an institution that put me at the beginning of the alphabet. And coincidentally, right by the trash can. Every time. I have literally spent YEARS of my life standing by a trash can with a view of the whole gym/convention center/mall/barn/breezeway/cafeteria/structure-hopefully-with-a-roof-but-not-always.
As such, I have been privy to the myriads of conversations that happen at the front door as students walk into a college fair, and I was often the last witness to the final words spoken as students head out. To put it in old timer’s terms, I’ve seen a thing or two, and I want to share the best takeaways from literally years of watching these social experiments called college fairs go down.
What I’ve seen: First timers
Here are some indicators of first-time college fair attendees:
- Freezing at the entrance to the fair, eyes wide and visibly overwhelmed.
- They spend 20 minutes staring at signage/map/layout.
- When asked their name, they look at the adult with them before answering.
- They drop every brochure on the floor at every table. Every time.
- Bring a notebook with 15 questions – half of which are answered on the college’s website and in the brochure on the table.
- Don’t get to every college they want to see.
- Leave feeling overwhelmed instead of better informed.
Sounds stressful? Read on, because there is a better way!
Make a Plan.
Pre-register – Whenever possible, look up the college fair website and pre-register. This unlocks useful information like a map of the facility, a place to load your information to share with the colleges you choose, a list of colleges attending, directions, parking information. All the details that help you feel less stressed and better able to tackle the college fair itself.
Bring an empty bag – Colleges LOVE shiny brochures! But for you, shiny = slippery. Some college fairs give you a bag at the entrance, but savvy college fair shoppers will bring an empty bag.
Get a floor map – Typically the check in table has a map of the fair layout. Ask how the tables are set up. Common layouts include arranging colleges alphabetically, in-state vs out-of-state school, public vs private schools, largest schools on the outside rim of the room, and sometimes, and this is a tough one, there is no specific order. Get the details before you launch yourself into the fray.
Charge your phone! Many times, college fairs give registered students a QR code to show colleges, and when shared, that code gets you on the college’s mailing list. You want to be ready.
When they ask your name, don’t look at your mom. You are going to college. That means you know and can say your name. I am not throwing shade if you are nervous. That’s okay!! At the table you will probably be asked, what’s your name, what high school do you attend, what year are you in school, and what are you thinking about studying? College admission representatives love students and want to help, so don’t be nervous about talking with us.
Pro Tip: Make a list of MUST-SEE colleges and visit them at the beginning so you don’t run out of time.
Social Strategies
Back to standing at the trash can watching students enter. I want to address a few common scenarios: walking in alone, with friends, or with a family member.
Alone – I see some successful college fair navigation from students on their own. The lone student visits tables that interest them, asks questions that matter to them, and, if they have a bag, gets loads of material and information to consider. Pro-tips for flying solo at a fair: pre-game with a family member to think about important questions, and bring a notebook. You won’t have anyone helping you remember, and key insights can be forgotten in the noisy atmosphere of a college fair.
With Friends—I think this is the trickiest scenario to navigate as a student. You may feel that going with your buds will boost your confidence, but here are some thoughts. What if you want to talk to a college that your friends think is uncool? What if you waste 20 minutes at a table where you don’t want to be because the group thinks it is cool? I accept bending to peer pressure on where you go out to eat, but not where you will spend the next four years of your life. Sometimes you need to break from the crowd. I am amazed at the negative things I’ve heard teenagers say to each other at college fairs. Pro-tip: if you want to go with friends, make a pact that you will do some solo exploring and meet back up to compare notes. Best of both worlds!
With a parent/family member – Here’s the truth: many student/parent/family combos spend a lot of time fighting at the trashcan. They fight as they enter. They fight as they leave. (I have also witnessed them whisper fight in front of me at the table.) I know how deeply emotional the college search can be. It brings out the hopes, fears, joy, nervousness, insecurities… of your parents. Students feel all these emotions too. And sometimes those feelings clash at college fairs.
I am not a psychologist, but my pro-tip here is to be extra gentle with each other if you can. If you can say ahead of time, “I am worried we may not agree on the colleges we visit at the fair. Could we make a plan, so you are happy, and I am too?” or “I know we don’t agree on what I want to do for my major. I will look at the schools that are really important to you. Would you support me in looking at few others that are important to me too?” or “I know how important it is that I look at your alma mater. I will. I will keep an open mind. Will you consider some of my priority schools too?”
There is wisdom to be gained by the trash can. I hope these observations make your next college fair a meaningful part of your college search process!
Katie Mattli has worked in college admission for over 17 years. She joined Georgia Tech in 2014 and works with first-year recruitment initiatives. Her previous years at a private liberal arts college for women fueled her love of student leadership and advocacy. She cares deeply about transparency in the admission process and supporting students, families and student advocates as they navigate the college admission process.
For that reason, we feel a deep commitment to be transparent, to empower the student and counseling community, and to anchor all the interested players in comforting common sense, tough love reality checks and much needed moments of lightheartedness and humor (come back for my next blog on College Fairs: A View from the Trashcan).
As you navigate admission decisions, some hoped for and some hurtful, REALLY remember that you are enough. In all those varied moments remember, take a deep breath, and know that you are enough. 
Katie Mattli has worked in college admission for over 17 years. She joined Georgia Tech in 2014 and works with first-year recruitment initiatives. Her previous years at a private liberal arts college for women fueled her love of student leadership and advocacy. She cares deeply about transparency in the admission process and supporting students, families and student advocates as they navigate the college admission process.