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Everything You Need to Know About College Fairs

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Planning for the future can feel intimidating. For high school and college students, the fall semester is filled with anticipation for the future. You may find yourself overwhelmed or need help figuring out where to begin. If you’re looking for a place to get started, college fairs are just what you’re looking for!

College fairs are an opportunity for high school students and their families to learn more about different schools. These fairs are also valuable resources for undergraduate students who are interested in graduate or doctorate programs. During college fairs, representatives from various colleges and universities across the country (or even on a global scale) come together to promote their programs. 

Each school has a booth where students and their families will be greeted by staff. The booths can feature a variety of resources ranging from school merchandise to informational pamphlets. Some schools may even allow students to apply on the spot!

(Image Credit: Michigan Association of College Admission Counseling)

College fairs may be organized by your school, local community centers, or even large national associations. Hosted by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the National College Fairs Program organizes free virtual and in-person college fairs that are open to the public. According to their website, NACAC College Fairs attract representatives from 175 to 400 institutions. 

You can also find college fairs that are organized based on different majors and fields of study. For students interested in pursuing architecture or design, there are plenty of options for major-specific college fairs. The Center for Architecture hosts an annual Architecture and Design College Fair with representatives from over 30 schools. Another approach would be to see if a local university is hosting a regional design fair. Several universities host design fairs, including Temple University, Iowa State University, and the University of Minnesota, to name a few.

You could also attend an informational session for a program that you’re already interested in. These sessions usually include a presentation that provides an overview of the program, degree opportunities, available majors, and more. 

Feeling unprepared? It’s okay to feel nervous when preparing to speak to college officials. We recommend coming ready with a list of schools that you’re interested in learning more about. This will allow you to have an idea of specific questions you’d like to ask that are related to your major and other interests. You can also click here to read the full list of questions from College Board. For students interested in pursuing architecture or design, it is recommended to bring your portfolio to show schools a sample of your work. This may be an opportunity to receive direct feedback before formally submitting artwork in a college application. 

Remember, it’s always a good idea to put your best foot forward when meeting with representatives from colleges and universities. Be yourself and take the steps you need to come prepared. If you’re on the lookout for upcoming college fairs, visit Study Architecture’s Events Page to stay tuned on the latest opportunities!

Have You Joined AIAS?

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Hi! My name is Mia Larkin and I am a rising senior at the University of Pittsburgh studying architecture with a minor in museum studies. I am also the social media chair of my university’s AIAS chapter. I joined AIAS to be closer to my classmates and to have a sense of community; learning from other students as they share their expertise in different software and applying what I learn to my projects and internship. 

The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) is an international, independent, non-profit, and student-run organization committed to developing leadership, design, and service among students in architecture. AIAS plays a vital role in providing invaluable experiences in architecture education and professional development for architecture students across the world. AIAS chapters provide members with advocacy, education, and internship opportunities. (Check out if your university offers an AIAS chapter!)

 

Having an AIAS chapter present on college campuses allows students to meet people within their major. Outside of an academic setting, there are advantages that AIAS provides to students including interacting with professionals, networking with them, and visualizing what it means to be in the working field. “I think joining AIAS presents the unique opportunity for young people to engage pre-professionally in the world of architecture in a way that is with people of similar ages and interests,” says Kiran Nwakanma, a fellow student at the University of Pittsburgh. “It’s really a community-oriented approach to getting involved with the design field.” 

Emerging as a working individual, getting your foot in the door can feel scary. There is so much uncertainty when you are in college, figuring out what you want to do for the rest of your life, or if you are even on the right path. AIAS offers me experiences I wouldn’t have known about if I didn’t join. “[The] main benefits [are] to be able to gain valuable insight on how lessons in your undergraduate career will transfer to the workforce and to be able to gain mentorship through other students, alumni, professors, and practicing architects,” says Priya Sahu, a rising senior at the University of Pittsburgh. 

 

While you’re still in college, it is valuable to know what experiences you can take away from the classroom since they can transfer to your career. Personally, through AIAS, I have visited firms and heard professionals talk about their jobs. I believe the skills I have learned as a member of AIAS have taught me the skills that I am expected to do in my professional career. 

 

I joined AIAS during my sophomore year to connect with other students in architecture and possibly have a chance for a leadership position. At first, I attended events, firm crawls, and portfolio reviews and tried to get involved as much as I could. Junior year came and I decided to run for a board position. I chose to run for social media chair since it aligns with previous leadership positions I held on campus, and I won! Since it’s summertime, I haven’t got the chance to do my role but I have plans for what I want to do while on board. One of my ideas was to release the AIAS Pitt merch since we don’t have any, and it would be great to see hoodies and stickers around campus to distinguish people who are in AIAS and create a sense of community outside of AIAS. Another idea is to interact more with members through Instagram stories, posting on a consistent schedule, and possibly event planning with the AIAS board. Lastly, I want to listen to feedback from the community and what they would like to see me do.

AIAS promotes excellence in education by fostering community and creating a network between students, faculty, and professionals by hosting events, firm crawls, and connecting students with resources. Joining your AIAS chapter is also a great way to expand your leadership experience. To check out more information, visit the AIAS National website and social media! 

 

P.S. Click here to see if your university offers an AIAS chapter!

 

(All images are courtesy of the AIAS – University of Pittsburgh Chapter via Mia Larkin)