Events for College and Career Planning
Sunday, October 15 to Tuesday, October 17, 2023
College Fair
Date: Sunday, October 15, 2023
Time: 4 to 7 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 higher 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
- Agnes Scott College
- Albright College
- Alfred University
- Allegheny College
- American University
- Appalachian State University
- Arcadia University
- Arizona State University
- Auburn University
- Averett University
- Babson College
- Barton College
- Baylor University
- Belmont Abbey College
- Belmont University
- Binghamton University
- Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing
- Bowie State University
- Bowling Green State University
- Bridgewater College
- Bryant University
- Bucknell University
- Butler University
- Capitol Technology University
- Case Western Reserve University
- Cedar Crest College
- Champlain College
- Charleston Southern University
- Chatham University
- Chowan University
- Christopher Newport University
- Clark University
- Clarkson University
- Clemson University
- College for Creative Studies
- College of Charleston
- Colorado College
- Columbia College Chicago
- College of William & Mary
- Dean College
- DePaul University
- DePauw University
- Dickinson College
- Drexel University
- East Carolina University
- Elizabeth City State University
- Elizabethtown College
- Elon University
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Emerson College
- Emmanuel College
- Excel College
- Fairmont State University
- Ferrum College
- Florida South College
- Florida Tech
- Fordham University
- Franklin & Marshall College
- George Mason University
- Gettysburg College
- Greensboro College
- Heidelberg University
- High Point University
- Hobart and William Smith Colleges
- Hollins University
- Hood College
- Hope College
- Hult International Business School
- Illinois Wesleyan University
- Indiana University Bloomington
- Iowa State University
- Ithaca College
- James Madison University
- Johnson & Wales University
- Juniata College
- Lees-McRae College
- Liberty University
- LifePoint College
- LIM College
- Longwood University
- Loyola University Maryland
- Lycoming College
- Macalester College
- Maine Maritime Academy
- Marist College
- Marshall University
- Mary Baldwin University
- Marymount University
- Massachusetts Maritime Academy
- McDaniel College
- Mercer University
- Merrimack College
- Miami University
- Michigan State University
- Mississippi State University
- Montclair State University
- Mount St. Mary's University
- North Carolina State University
- Northern Virginia Community College
- Northwestern University
- Nova Southeastern University
- Ohio University
- Ohio Wesleyan University
- Old Dominion University
- Pace University
- Penn State
- Pennsylvania College of Technology
- Providence College
- Purdue University
- Queens University of Charlotte
- Radford University
- Randolph College
- Randolph-Macon College
- 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
- Rutgers University, New Brunswick
- Saint Francis University
- Saint Joseph's University
- Saint Mary's College Norte Dame
- Saint Vincent College
- 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
- St. Olaf College
- Stetson University
- Stevenson University
- SUNY Cortland
- Stony Brook University
- Susquehanna University
- Sweet Briar College
- Syracuse University
- Texas Tech University
- The Catholic University of America
- The Citadel
- The Ohio State University
- Thomas Jefferson University
- Towson University
- UNC Greensboro
- University of Alabama
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of California, Davis
- University of Chicago
- University of Cincinnati
- University of Colorado Boulder
- University of Connecticut
- University of Dayton
- University of Delaware
- University of Florida
- University of Kentucky
- University of Louisville
- University of Lynchburg
- University of Mary Washington
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)
- University of Maryland, College Park
- University of Massachusetts Amherst
- University of Michigan
- University of Minnesota
- University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)
- University of Mount Olive
- University of North Carolina Wilmington
- University of Pittsburgh
- University of Rhode Island
- University of Richmond
- University of San Francisco
- University of South Carolina
- University of South Florida
- University of Tampa
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- University of Utah
- University of Virginia
- University of Virginia's College at Wise
- University of Wyoming
- Ursinus College
- Valparaiso University
- Vanderbilt University
- Verto Education
- Villanova University
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Virginia Military Institute
- Virginia State University
- Virginia Tech
- Warren Wilson College
- Washington & Jefferson College
- Washington College
- West Virginia University
- Western Carolina University
- Widener University
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Xavier University
- York College of Pennsylvania
International Colleges and Universities
- Constructor University, Germany
- IE University, Madrid
- McGill University
- NYU Shanghai
- 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 16, 2023, and Tuesday, October 17, 2023
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 prior to the start date.
Schedule of Events
Paying for College
Description:
This session is designed to help families understand the financial aid process. Information provided includes understanding Cost of Attendance (COA), when to apply, types and sources of financial aid, forms and financial information required, and how need is determined.
Presenter:
- Bonnie Horowitz
- Financial Aid Champion for College Access Fairfax
Exploring Naviance Student
Description:
This session explores Naviance and how students can take charge of their learning goals, explore college and career opportunities, and build important life skills.
Presenters:
- Mary Lewis
- Manager, Academic & Career Planning for FCPS
- Steve Myers
- Specialist, Academic & Career Planning for FCPS
Military 101
Description:
This session will explain the benefits of numerous Department of Defense programs to obtain one’s postsecondary life goals. Students and their families may not be aware of these underutilized programs. This session will raise awareness and inspire students, parents, and educators to take advantage of these programs.
Presenters:
- Pat Locke
- First African American woman to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point
- Mack Brooks
- Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel
Standardized Testing in the College Process
Description:
Learn the role of the ACT and SAT in the college application process.
Presenter:
- Sue Rexford
- Director of College Guidance at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School
Common App
Description:
Are You Common App Ready? This session explains how to approach your college applications and discover tools for students and families to help along the way.
Presenter:
- Jameia Tenniei
- Director of Student Engagement Programs for Common App
Parents as Partners in Academic and Career Planning
Description:
This interactive session will explore the critical and dynamic role parents and families play in their children’s academic and career planning. Parents will leave with tools they can use, and an understanding of how to partner with schools to support their children’s postsecondary planning and successful transition to life after high school.
Parents as Partners in Academic and Career Planning Zoom recording
Presenters:
- Meredith Ayala
- Family Partnerships Specialist for FCPS
- Mary Lewis
- Manager, Academic & Career Planning for FCPS
Scholarship 101
Description:
This session will provide an overview of the scholarship application process.
Presenter:
- Marian Kendrick
- Program Director for College Access Fairfax
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
Considerations for Students with Disabilities in High School versus College
Description:
This session will provide an overview of the considerations available for students with disabilities in a College versus High School Setting.
Considerations for Students with Disabilities in High School versus College Zoom recording
Presenters:
- Naomi Martinez-Jones
- Disability Services Director at George Mason University
- Annie Santee
- Employment and Transition Representative for FCPS
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.
NOVA: Certificates & Workforce Development Programs Zoom recording
Presenters:
- Jennifer Merrill
- Student Services Manager for NOVA Workforce
- Jack Bidlack
- Director of Strategic Initiatives at Northern Virginia Community College
Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Enrollment (DE), and International Baccalaureate (IB) Programs
Description:
The session explains the Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Enrollment (DE), and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs in FCPS.
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
NOVA: La Opción del Colegio Comunitario
Descripción:
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:
- Kevin Amaya
- Coordinador de Acercamiento y Reclutamiento en Northern Virginia Community College
- Sandra Delgado
- Coordinador de Acercamiento y Reclutamiento en Northern Virginia Community College
