The Westchester Putnam College Conference Committee will host two in-person college fairs this fall. Harrison High School, will be the site of the Southern Westchester College Conference to be held on Tuesday, October 19 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm.

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Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown Heights will be the site of the Northern Westchester College Conference to be held on Wednesday, October 20 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm.

These fairs are not only for students to at- tend, but also their parents and friends.

The fairs gives students and families an opportunity to speak directly with admissions officers and representatives from hundreds of colleges and universities they may otherwise not have the chance to visit personally.

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Event Location: 

Jefferson Valley Mall

Yorktown Heights, NY

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Event Date:

Wednesday, October 20

6 pm - 8:30 pm

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Event Sponsor:

Westchester-Putnam College Conference Committee

wpccc.org

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These events are free to high school students, parents and anyone else interested in higher education. Students can meet one-on-one with ad- missions counselors at their tables to discuss entrance requirements, campus life, application deadlines and majors. Representatives will have brochures, catalogs and other literature to describe their institutions.

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Preparing for the Fairs

For those students who wish to enroll in a college or university, questions involving majors, size of school, costs, and types of extracurricular activities and social life need to be asked and answered.

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Students and parents should read as much as possible about the colleges and universities in which they are interested before attending programs like these. If possible, you should visit the Websites of colleges and schools ahead of time, and familiarize yourself with the facts that interest you.

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College representatives are always more eager to discuss their institution with students who seem genuinely interested, and who are somewhat knowledgeable about the school.

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While at the Fair

Visit first the tables of the colleges in which you are primarily interested. If possible select at least three or four colleges or schools in which you are definitely interested before com- ing to the College Conference. Plan on visiting with these representatives first. If there is much of a line before a particular school, go to another table and return at a later time.

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The representatives will be there throughout the times posted for the conference and you might find that visiting with them when they are not busy will be better for you because they will be able to answer your questions more fully.

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A College Conference is a good time to expand your knowledge about colleges and/or careers in general. The representatives of the various institutions have a vast variety of experiences and backgrounds, and they will be very pleased to answer any questions you have. You may even find that there will be other institutions at the program that may better serve your needs than the ones you were originally considering. Therefore, take advantage of the opportunity to investigate other institutions.

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Paying for College

If you think you cannot afford a college edu- cation, or afford the college of your choice, you could be very pleasantly surprised. Too many families are automatically limiting their college selection, or whether or not to attend college, simply by looking at tuition and room and board costs. Very few families can afford to write checks for these costs without the avail- ability of some type of financial assistance.

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Contrary to some public opinion, there are many opportunities to get financial assistance, even for upper-middle-income families. College selection should not be limited to only the schools a family may mistakenly think they can afford.

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After you accumulate the information you receive at the program, you should sit down, read, and digest the many pamphlets you will most likely have. After that, narrow your choices to five or six institutions in which you are interested and visit them. Spend as much time on these campuses as you can. Have an interview in the admissions office; talk to students, faculty and alumni as much as possible; and if feasible, arrange a campus tour, sit in on classes, and spend a weekend.

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Choosing a college should not be a haphazard process. Some decisions on college selection are made for very odd reasons. They should not be. Remember, the college in which you decide to enroll should, and will, have a profound impact on the rest of your life.

Military Options 

Many recruiting stations are closed for personal visits, but are still available to discuss your future in the military. You may ask a recruiter about education programs such as R.O.T.C., the military academies, the Post 9/11-GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program. Serving in the military is not only an honor but can be a great way to finance your education.

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The Westchester Putnam College Conference Committee has hosted College Conferences and other student-centered events in Westchester County since 1977.

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