Learning About Colleges

College representatives visit SPA: From mid-September through November, nearly 100 college admission representatives visit SPA for a brief presentation on their college and Q&A with interested students.These sessions last 35 minutes (about half a class period) and are informal conversations among several students and the representative. Bring questions! and be ready to learn more about the college's programs, campus life, and admission procedures.

• Seniors and juniors may attend during free periods or during a class IF they request permission from that class teacher to miss part of class to attend the “college rep visit” in the college counseling office. Faculty may require a student to be in class. Request permission in person (not on email) at least 2 days in advance of the meeting. Attendance is recorded; students receive a pass to return to their class. 

• Please register in SCOIR once you have confirmed that you can attend.  In the student account,  go to the “me” drop down, then Visits. 

The Twin Cities Partnership Fair  (TCP College Fair) is held annually in the fall at a local independent school, typically on a Sunday afternoon in late September or early October. Check the TCP Fair website and current information from college counseling for details. 

• Seniors and Juniors are invited to this event to speak with admission representatives from nearly 150 colleges. It is a chance to learn general information as well as ask focused, specific questions.

• The Twin Cities Partnership includes six member independent schools and three college access organizations. Students from the college access organizations attend starting at 12:00 pm. Students from SPA and the other independent schools attend starting at 1:00 pm. 

Information sessions in the Twin Cities: Throughout the school year admissions officers from groups of colleges host information sessions for students and families. Increasingly these are held online; they may replace colleges doing in person recruitment such as visits to high schools. Some events are still held in person, typically in the fall or late spring, at a large event space at a local hotel.

• Most events (even online) require advance registration; sign up well ahead of time, as space is sometimes limited.

Visiting colleges provides students with the opportunity to test their assumptions, envision themselves in the context of a particular college environment, and to help them begin to identify parameters of their search. When physically visiting a college is not possible, students and families can still research colleges through virtual visit options. Almost all colleges now offer a wide array of virtual programming, from information sessions, to tours, to student and faculty panels. Though visiting campuses in person is still beneficial, virtual visits can be a great way of getting information from a variety of schools, too. 

Free college Fly In and Diversity Programs 

Private colleges in Minnesota and Wisconsin host a one-week event during the summer. These "Private College Weeks" are often a great way for rising juniors to experience their first campus visits. Most campuses host two open houses a day during the designated week.

• • June: Minnesota Private College Week

  • July: Wisconsin Private College Week

• • The concept of demonstrated interest underscores the importance of thoroughly researching your colleges to yield strong applications at colleges well-matched to your interests. 

  • When you explore a college website, visit campus, meet with admission reps at school or the college fair, this ‘data trail’ of interactions or contact history is called “demonstrated interest.” It helps colleges know what marketing information is useful to students, leading them to apply and enroll. 

    • When you learn a lot about a college (thus demonstrating interest) you convey a stronger understanding of the college in your application, which can improve your chances of admission. 

    • If you know less about a college, this often comes through in less strong essays - accurately suggesting you are less serious about that college.

  • The more selective a college, the LESS likely that they care about your demonstrated interest; these colleges attract many highly qualified candidates. Your interest level will not impact your admission.

  • Be sure to research, meet with admission reps for the moderately or less selective colleges on your list where your history of interaction will matter the most.

Resources for understanding demonstrated interest:

• Tufts University article: Show Us That You Know Us

• College Essay Guy Guide

Tips for College Admissions Interviews

• Ten Questions to Frame Your College Search

• Criteria to Compare and Select Colleges

• Big Future: Searching for Colleges

• Fiske Guide to Colleges (interactive online tool or book)

• Unigo: Student reviews of colleges

• Historically Black Colleges and Universities

• Colleges of Distinction

• Colleges that Change Lives (see also books by Loren Pope)

• Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MNSCU)