Look to the Future
Sunday, October 20 to Tuesday, October 22, 2024
College Fair
Date: Sunday, October 20, 2024
Time: 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Location: Eagle Bank Arena at George Mason University
4500 Patriot Cir, Fairfax, VA 22030
The College Fair is designed to connect high school students with opportunities in postsecondary education. It is one of the largest College Fairs in the region. It features 200 colleges and universities from around the nation as well as representatives from the U.S. Service Academies. Each year the College Fair draws thousands of students and their families.
National Colleges and Universities
- Albright College
- Advanced Technology Institute
- Alfred University
- Allegheny College
- American University
- Appalachian State University
- Arcadia University
- Arizona State University
- Auburn University
- Averett University
- Babson College
- Barton College
- Bates College
- Baylor University
- Belmont University
- Binghamton University
- Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing
- Bowie State University
- Bridgewater College
- Bryant University
- Butler University
- Capitol Technology University
- Cedar Crest College
- Champlain College
- Chatham University
- Christopher Newport University
- Claflin University
- Clemson University
- Coastal Carolina University
- Colby College
- College of Charleston
- Columbia College
- Columbia College Chicago
- College of William & Mary
- Dean College
- DePaul University
- DePauw University
- Dickinson College
- Drexel University
- Duquesne University
- East Carolina University
- Eastern Mennonite University
- Elizabeth City State University
- Elizabethtown College
- Elon University
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Emerson College
- Emmanuel College
- Emory University
- Fairmont State University
- Florida Southern College
- Florida Tech
- Franklin & Marshall College
- George Mason University
- Greensboro College
- Harrisburg University
- High Point University
- Hobart and William Smith Colleges
- Hollins University
- Hope College
- Ithaca College
- James Madison University
- Juniata College
- Lees-McRae College
- Lehigh University
- Liberty University
- LifePoint College
- Longwood University
- Loyola University Maryland
- Macalester College
- Maine Maritime Academy
- Manhattan School of Music
- Marist College
- Mary Baldwin University
- Marymount University
- McDaniel College
- Mercer University
- Merrimack College
- Miami University
- Michigan State University
- Middle Tennessee State University
- Mississippi State University
- Mount St. Mary's University
- Muhlenberg College
- North Carolina State University
- Northern Virginia Community College
- Northwestern University
- Ohio University
- Ohio Wesleyan University
- Old Dominion University
- Pace University
- Paul Smith’s College
- Penn State
- Pennsylvania College of Technology
- Plymouth State University
- Providence College
- Purdue University
- Queens University of Charlotte
- Radford University
- Randolph College
- Randolph-Macon College
- Regent University
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Richard Bland College of William and Mary
- Rider University
- Roanoke College
- Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
- Rollins College
- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
- Saint Francis University
- Saint Joseph's University
- Salisbury University
- Salve Regina University
- Seton Hall University
- Shenandoah University
- Shepherd University
- Shippensburg University
- South Dakota School of Mines
- Spelman College
- St. John's College
- St. John's University
- St. Mary's College of Maryland
- Stevens Institute of Technology
- Stevenson University
- SUNY Cortland
- Stony Brook University
- Susquehanna University
- Sweet Briar College
- Syracuse University
- Temple University
- Texas Tech University
- The Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at the University of Tennessee
- The Carter School for Peace & Conflict Resolution (GMU)
- The Catholic University of America
- The Citadel
- The Ohio State University
- Thomas Jefferson University
- Towson University
- University of Alabama
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of California, Irvine
- University of California, Riverside
- University of Chicago
- University of Cincinnati
- University of Colorado Boulder
- University of Connecticut
- University of Delaware
- University of Florida
- University of Kentucky
- University of Louisville
- University of Mary Washington
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)
- University of Maryland, College Park
- University of Massachusetts Amherst
- University of Miami
- University of Michigan
- University of Minnesota
- University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)
- University of Mount Olive
- University of North Carolina, Greensboro
- University of North Carolina, Wilmington
- University of Pittsburgh
- University of Rhode Island
- University of Richmond
- University of Rochester
- University of San Francisco
- University of South Carolina
- University of South Florida
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- University of Utah
- University of Virginia
- University of Virginia's College at Wise
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- University of Wyoming
- Ursinus College
- Utah State University
- Vanderbilt University
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Virginia Military Institute
- Virginia State University
- Virginia Tech
- Washington & Jefferson College
- Washington & Lee University
- Washington College
- West Virginia University
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Xavier University
- York College of Pennsylvania
International Colleges and Universities
- IE University, Madrid
- Richmond American University, London
- Temple University, Japan Campus
- The American University of Paris
- University College Dublin
US Service Academies
- US Air Force Academy
- US Coast Guard Academy
- US Merchant Marine Academy
- US Military Academy at West Point
- US Naval Academy
Registration
After registering, students receive a barcode. This barcode allows college representatives to retrieve student information electronically. Barcodes can be scanned from mobile devices.
College Fair Tips
- Register for the FCPS College Fair and get your digital barcode.
- This unique barcode allows the college representatives to receive your information electronically.
- Barcodes can be scanned from mobile devices.
- Take time to think about what you're looking for with your college experience. Naviance is a great tool to help you begin your search!
- Do you want to attend a small, medium, or large school?
- Do you prefer an urban, suburban, or rural campus setting?
- Do the schools you want to visit at the fair offer your desired major?
- Are you wanting to attend a public or private university?
- Create a list of schools you want to visit at the fair and the questions you want to ask the representatives.
- What do you want to know about the school?
- Do they offer the programs you are interested in?
- What is the student experience like?
- Bring your barcode.
- It can be on your mobile device or printed on a piece of paper for college representatives to scan.
- Plan to take notes about the schools you visit in a notebook or on your mobile device.
- Stop by the tables of the schools on the list you created and speak to the representatives. Keep an open mind and check out schools that you're not familiar with - they may be a great fit!
- Be confident and introduce yourselves to the college representatives. While you do not need to dress formal, make sure your outfit reflects the image you would like to put forth.
- After the fair, go back through your notes and look at any information you received as soon as you can.
- Talk about your experience with a trusted adult.
- Ask yourself the following questions:
- Which colleges stood out to you and why?
- Which colleges can you cross off your list?
- Which colleges would you like to learn more about, or perhaps visit?
- Use the information you learned to narrow your college list. Keep researching your remaining schools, and if feasible, schedule a campus visit.
- For the schools you are still interested in, send the college representatives you spoke with an email.
- Keep it short, polite, and professional.
- Let them know that you’re interested in their school and ask follow-up questions.
- Remember that your School Counselor and College & Career Specialist are great resources for questions about the college application process.
Virtual Postsecondary Nights
Dates: Monday, October 21, 2024, and Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Times: Sessions are at 5, 6, and 7 p.m.
A two-night virtual event featuring live sessions each night!
Join us and learn how to be better prepared for the next chapter of your educational journey.
Registration
Prior registration is not required. All students and their families are welcome to participate in one or all of the virtual sessions. The virtual session links will be published one week before the start date.
Schedule of Events
Paying for College
Description:
Paying for College is designed to help families understand the financial aid process. Information provided includes understanding the Cost of Attendance (COA), when to apply, types and sources of financial aid, forms and financial information required, and how need is determined.
Exploring Naviance Student
Description:
This session explores Naviance showcasing how Naviance helps students take charge of their learning goals, explore college and career opportunities, and build important life skills.
Presenters:
Mary Lewis
Senior Manager I, Academic & Career Planning for FCPS
Steve Myers
Educational Specialist, Academic & Career Planning for FCPS
Considerations for Students with Disabilities in High School versus College
Description:
This session provides an overview of the considerations available for students with disabilities in a College v High School Setting.
Presenters:
Naomi Martinez-Jones
Disability Services Director at George Mason University
Sarah Bake
Educational Specialist, Career and Transition for FCPS
Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Enrollment (DE), and International Baccalaureate (IB) in FCPS
Description:
This session explains the AP, DE, and IB programs in FCPS.
NOTE: This is a recorded session. For questions, contact Daina Lieberman, Amy Andrews, or Nile Shaikh
Presenters:
Amy Andrews
Educational Specialist for Advanced Academic Programs for FCPS
Daina Lieberman
Educational Specialist for IB Programmes for FCPS
Nile Shaikh
Educational Specialist for Dual Enrollment for FCPS
Standardized Testing in the College Process
Description:
This session explains the role of the ACT and SAT in the college application process.
Presenter:
Susan Rexford
Director of College Guidance at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School
Scholarship 101
Description:
This session provides an overview of the scholarship application process.
NOVA: The Community College Option
Description:
This session will introduce NOVA and include information on the benefits of attending NOVA and how to get started. Specific topics covered will be NOVA’s application process, programs of study, cost of tuition and payment options, student services, transfer opportunities, and the NOVA student experience. Start here if you are thinking about beginning your educational journey at NOVA!
Presenter:
Collyn Alford
Outreach and Recruitment Coordinator at Northern Virginia Community College
Are you Common App Ready?
Description:
This session explains how to approach your college applications and discover tools for students and families to help along the way.
Presenter:
Jameia Tennie
Director of Student Engagement Programs, Common App
NOVA: La Opción del Colegio Comunitario
Description:
Esta sesión presentara las opciones que ofrece el Colegio Comunitario. Incluye los beneficios de asistir a NOVA y el proceso de ingreso. Algunos temas que se estaran presentando son el proceso de ingreso a NOVA, los programas de estudio, el costo de la matricula, ayuda financiera e información sobre becas, servicios al estudiante y oportunidades de transferencia a universidades de 4 años. Esta sesión le ayudara a estar mejor preparado y comenzar su trayectoria educativa en Northern Virginia Community College.
Presentado por:
Sandra Delgado
Coordinadore de Acercamiento y Reclutamiento en Northern Virginia Community College
NOVA: Certificates & Workforce Development Programs
Description:
Interested in a career in IT, Healthcare, or another popular industry? This presentation will focus on alternative ways to begin your career pathway at NOVA by getting your certificate and/or national or state certifications that are highly sought after in these fields. We have options for degree-seeking pathways and non-degree-seeking (short-term) pathways to go directly into the workforce. Also, both pathways have financial assistance if families and students qualify. Come and hear about these opportunities and how to get started at NOVA.
Presenter:
Jennifer Merrill
Student Services Manager for NOVA Workforce Northern Virginia Community College