Choosing a college can be stressful for any student. Due to Covid-19, many students were unable to visit colleges last year. The Barstow College Fair allows students to talk to prospective colleges and experience all the options available. Talking to representatives from multiple colleges at once can act as a great starting point for students to begin looking at universities.
Caelin Anderson, College Counselor, states, “It is a good idea for students to have one-on-one conversations with colleges and get in the habit of that early. It’s good to help you open your mind to schools you may have not considered.”
The Barstow College Fair can relieve some of the stress of choosing a college. When students talk to multiple colleges at once, they may compare them instantly and gain a better idea of which colleges are appealing to them. Speaking to university representatives allows students to gain confidence for interviews. Even if a student does not wish to attend the college they are speaking to, building experience never hurts. At the college fair, when students sign up to receive notifications from colleges, it helps students learn more about the colleges and make an informed decision. For those who have not started to look at colleges, the college fair is a great way for students to start thinking about what they are looking for in a university.
The Barstow College Fair has taken place for twelve years. Many college representatives are assigned tables in the gym. At the time of the event, colleges lay out pamphlets, stickers, business cards, whatever they feel will interest students. Students have the choice to walk around and visit these different tables. This year, the college fair took place in the gym during flex time before lunch. Many of the same colleges who attended the fair also attend the college fair at Rockhurst High School, which took place two days later. On Wednesday, Barstow students were able to experience what speaking to college representatives is like.
Unfortunately, Covid-19 hampered many upper school students’ ability to begin looking at colleges. With many students online and many college representatives unable to travel, opportunities to interact with colleges were minimal. Fear of the same thing occurring this year worries many students aiming to visit colleges. The college fair was not severely affected by Covid-19, thankfully. More colleges than ever attended the event. Ms. Anderson believes, “The college fair was a success. Covid did not have any effect on the number of students or colleges. The private high school college fair was larger than ever, even though 20 percent of colleges are still opting for virtual visits.” The college fair shows students it is possible to begin talking to and visiting universities even with Covid-19.
Many students across grades attended the college fair on Wednesday. The goal set by college counselors was for every student to attempt to talk to at least two universities. Soon enough, lines were forming at nearly every table. Maya Theobald, a sophomore, states, “There was a wide variety of colleges, which was very nice. The noise and long lines could be overwhelming, but it was a good experience.” The many types of colleges attending the fair gave students many options to choose from. Whether a student wants to attend a private university, a Christian university, or an out-of-state university, multiple options were available.
The college fair marks the beginning of searching for a college for many students. Having many universities available to talk to all at once becomes extremely beneficial for students. The Barstow School College Fair proved successful even with some travel restrictions. Overall, The Barstow College Fair inspires students to look forward to their undergraduate education.
