National College Fair

The Minnesota National College Fair, sponsored by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), is one of the largest fairs of its kind, attracting representatives from over 350 colleges and universities and nearly 25,000 students and parents. At Delano High School, we recommend attending the college fair with your parents because ultimately your college decisions are a joint effort. For details on the National College Fair, you can go online here and you will find the following information:

• Directory of colleges

• Workshop sessions

• Minneapolis Convention Center map

• How to Prepare for the College Fair information

• Dates & times of the fair

The National College Fair is the time to begin your search for the school that best fits your student's educational aspirations after high school.

Going to a College Fair?

Before the fair:

• Ask yourself some questions and write down the answers. 

  • What classes do you like?

  • Do you want to be in a large city or a small town?

  • Are there sports or activities that are very important to you?

  • Public or private?

  • In-state or out-of-state?

• Research colleges in your career field to make a list of some colleges that match with your description of what you like.

• Ask your guidance counselor for help if you need it.

At the fair:

• Visit the colleges on your list first. You can always visit others if you have time left over.

• Ask each college questions and write down the answers:

  • What are your college's strengths?

  • How many students attend your college?

  • Do you offer the programs I am interested in?

  • What support programs do you have for first-year students?

  • What is the application procedure and deadline?

  • How much does a full year cost (tuition, fees, room/board)?

  • How much and what types of scholarships are available?

After the fair:

• Read the information you picked up about the colleges. Make a list of those that still interest you. 

• Call the colleges on your list for more information or to schedule a visit.

• Apply to the colleges that you and your family think make sense for you. Remember to file for financial aid.

• Wait to hear from the colleges - and get ready!