A few thoughts on college fairs

• For many students and parents, college fairs are a primary point of contact. Frequently, they gravitate toward colleges with names they recognize, but often they will be unfamiliar with the institutions whose representatives they engage. Either way, it is important for us to be encouraging and to provide accurate information about Union.
• As you can imagine and might recall from your visits to college fairs, the most effective college representatives are those who are knowledgeable about and current on their colleges, have attractively displayed their brochures, stand at their tables with a welcoming smile, and engage their visitors in some friendly conversation. This approach will leave students with a wonderful impression and potentially a desire to further pursue the admissions process at Union.
• You are not expected to know everything there is to know about Union but please do read the informational materials we send you, and feel free to give students the Union Admissions' main phone number (518-388-6112) and/or general email address (admissions@union.edu). Being current on Union's programs and knowing where to find and/or receive additional information will obviously impress the students with whom you interact. For regular admission to the College, applicants are not required to submit standardized test scores, but they do have the option of submitting any or all of the following: the SAT I (verbal, math and writing), two SAT II subject tests, and/or the ACT. Students applying to the six-year law and eight-year medical programs are required to submit the SAT I and two SAT II tests (math and science for the accelerated medical program applicants). Also, home-schooled applicants are required to submit at least one of the three aforementioned standardized tests.
• Union has no cut-off points for class rank, GPA, or test scores (if submitted). Many factors are taken into account when the admissions committee considers a match between the applicant and the College: the applicant's high school transcript (looking at both performance and strength of course work); extracurricular activities (including but not limited to athletics, musical and artistic pursuits, community service, clubs and organizations, hobbies, part-time employment, etc.); teacher and counselor recommendations; the personal essay; the interview (not required, but strongly recommended); the graded paper (part of the supplement to the Common Application); and standardized test scores (again, if submitted).
• Be encouraging to all prospective students who visit the Union table - we never fully know who is or is not a qualified candidate until we see his/her completed application. A good interaction will obviously increase a student's likelihood of applying; and, whether or not a student chooses to apply, such an interaction will also increase the likelihood that he/she will speak positively about Union to friends, family members, and peers. Overall, most successful applicants tend to be in the top 20 percent of their high school class, involved with their school and local communities, and well-spoken (especially as evidenced during an interview). For those who submit test scores, the average SAT I math/verbal score is around 1250, the average SAT II subject score is in the 600 range, and the average ACT score is about 27. Because we have no strict cut-offs, it is helpful to remind students that these are simply averages and ranges. Let them know that each application is carefully read by the Union admissions staff, and that we truly take a holistic approach to the evaluation process.
• It is fun and a privilege to work with young people at this exciting point in their lives. Your guidance, information, and kindness will be remembered by students and their families long after they leave your table at a college fair. Please contact the Alumni Admissions Office (Palmer Fargnoli '93, Director of Alumni Admissions and/or Helen Lecce, Alumni Admissions Coordinator at: 518-388-6084, fargnolp@union.edu, or lecceh@union.edu) whenever you have questions, concerns, or ideas. As always, we appreciate your time and enthusiasm on behalf of Union!

MATERIALS

We will provide you with: a Union banner to display (either taped on the front of your table or on the wall behind your table)*; an array of informational materials and brochures; inquiry cards; and pens. Please return to us all completed inquiry cards...feel free to leave all leftover materials and blank inquiry cards with the guidance office where the college fair has taken place. We will also provide you with the 'Introducing Union' brochure, an informational resource for your reference, a table-top piece listing major programs of study, a course catalogue, a name tag, and alumni volunteer business cards.

*We ask that you bring along masking tape to hang the banner.

DRESS

We recommend business casual attire, and comfortable shoes since you will be on your feet while interacting with students and families at your table.

FORMAT

Please try to arrive about 30 minutes before the college fair begins. This will allow you time to park, check in, and set up. Once at your table, hang the Union banner (either on the front of your table or on the wall behind your table), attractively arrange materials on the table, and be ready to interact with prospective students and their families. Throughout the course of the event, you will have the opportunity to introduce yourself to any guidance counselors or program coordinators and thank them for inviting Union to participate. Most importantly, don't forget to relax, smile, and have a good time!

Students will be 'shopping' from table to table. If they are hesitant to chat or ask questions, feel free to engage them in brief conversation. Some good ice-breakers include: mentioning a school or local event, noticing that they are a member of a school team by the emblems on their varsity jacket, asking how the college search is going for them, and so on. With regard to Union, don't hesitate to ask questions like: 'Do you know much about Union College?'; 'Have you ever visited the Union campus?'; 'Are you looking primarily at small liberal arts colleges?'; 'Is there a specific program (academic or otherwise) in which you are interested?'; etc. These questions are only guidelines. Upon each interaction, it is most important for you to do what feels right while continually gauging the comfort level of the student.

Ask each student to fill out an inquiry card. Once he/she hands it back to you, quickly review it to ensure that it's legible and to see if the student has revealed a specific academic or extracurricular interest (you can use that to tell them a little more about Union or ask additional questions). Encourage students to visit the campus and have an interview (if they haven't already) - again, interviews are not required but strongly recommended.

In geographic regions where Union is not as well-known, there may be only a few students with whom you speak..THUS it is critically important to provide positive exposure to these prospective applicants, families, and guidance counselors.

Please fill out our college fair evaluation form as soon as possible, and return it with all completed inquiry cards that students leave with you. Your comments and impressions will guide us for future planning.

Thank you, good luck, and enjoy!