How to Represent a College at a College Fair

Prestigious private colleges and universities try to recruit students at public and private schools. Sometimes they are unable--because of workload limitations--to send an admissions rep to every fair. Parents and alumni are called upon to sell the attributes of the school at a fair. Here are some ideas on how to make this easier for the first time or volunteer representative.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Package of brochures from the school
• Giveaways
• Balloons

1. Be organized. Make sure you have all your materials at least a week in advance and take the time to go through the boxes they will send you to see what is there, read your brochures and bone up on all the details you will be asked to discuss.

2. Arrive at least an hour before the event officially starts. Sometimes you can get the best table or space in a visible area where people are more apt to walk by. Set up your displays, banners and signs. Be sure to bring water for yourself, paper and pens.

3. Have a giveaway item available for the students. Maybe stop at Staples and pick up some squish balls (for exercising your hands at the computer). Make it something fun and bright. You may want to pick up some helium balloons to add spice to your display.

4. 

   Smile, be friendly and approachable. Stand so that you are out from behind the table and have brochures or giveaways in your hand to distribute to everyone. Encourage questions and if there is anything you cannot answer, take the student’s name and phone or email so that you can find out and get back to them.

5. Make it your goal to distribute all your materials at the event. Getting the brochures in the hands of the students is the first step in recruiting them for the school.

6. Get familiar with all the extracurricular activities including all the sports and sports team levels if possible, before the event. Many students will be more attracted to the school if they can play baseball or hockey and the school has a very competitive team.

7. Keep in mind that the event usual lasts approximately two to three hours. After the fair, follow up with any student questions and discuss the volume of contacts you have with the admissions director. You may want to recommend a recruiter attend the next year if the volume of students and student interest seems very high.

Tips & Warnings

• Have fun, be cheerful and you will have a successful outcome.