What are College Rep Visits
Representatives from college admission offices visit high schools around the country to present informational programs about their schools to prospective students and counselors. Topics covered include academic programs, campus life, financial aid and admission procedures of their college. College reps will also answer students' questions, so it is smart to come with a list of your personal questions.
How It Works At EHS
Visits are 30 minutes in length
Students need to register for college visits through their Naviance account under the Colleges/College Visits tab 24 hours before the college visit occurs.
Only seniors and juniors are allowed to attend visits first semester. Sophomores are allowed to attend visits starting second semester.
Parents are NOT allowed to attend college visits on the EHS campus, but they are always welcome to reach out to the admissions rep to set up an appointment for another time.
Fun Fact: If students have a school listed in their Naviance "Schools I'm Thinking About" or "Schools I'm Applying To" lists , they will get an email letting them know when that particular school will be visiting.
To Schedule a College Visit at EHS
Admissions officers who would like to schedule a visit can do so at: REP VISITS
EHS is happy to host in-person or virtual visits. In-person visits meet in the EHS College and Career Center. Please use Door 5 on the WEST side of the building and check in at the main office. If scheduling a virtual visit, please make sure to include your meeting link.
For more information contact:
Molly Thuma - molly.thuma@edinaschools.org.
College Fairs
College Fairs are time-saving opportunities for students and parents to gather a lot of information from a number of colleges, universities and military services in one day. At a College Fair there will be representatives from colleges, universities and technical schools from all over the United States to meet with and answer questions from students and parents.
Helpful Tips
Five Reasons Why You Should Meet with College Reps
1. Students have a chance — in their own town — to meet face-to-face with a rep and ask specific questions.
2. Students can let the college know they are seriously interested.
3. In many cases, the reps are admission officers from the college, so students have a unique opportunity to make contact with a person who may be evaluating their application in the future.
4. The meeting provides students with a specific contact at the college to whom they can send questions.
5. Sometimes reps, particularly ones from state universities, will give an early read on students' transcripts, test scores and course selections during their visits. This helps students assess their fit at that institution and figure out what they can do to improve their chances of getting in.
5 Tips to Help You make a Rep's Visit Work for You
Interacting with reps can help you build a productive college list suited to your needs. Make the most of the sessions by:
1) Doing your homework. Research the college so you can ask good questions and get a feel for the school. It’s all about finding the right college for you.
2) Presenting your best self. Be courteous. Be confident. Be attentive. Turn off your cellphone. Dress thoughtfully. Ask questions designed to inform, not impress. Send a brief thank-you note afterward. The written thank-you is a class move that can boost your visibility.
3) Showing up early. If you’ll be one of many students, getting there early and staying a few minutes after the presentation can make productive facetime with the rep more likely.
4) Taking notes and grabbing brochures. There will be a lot of information coming your way. Make the most of it.
5) Engaging on a personal level. Introduce yourself with a handshake. Get names (spelling matters) and contact information. If your school says the rep might be able to review transcripts, applications, or application essays, ask the rep for a quick evaluation.
Remember: The rep you impress might be part of the application review process at your dream school.
Questions Worth Asking
Asking probing questions will inform and guide your choices. It also can help convince the rep you are a serious, thoughtful person worth enrolling. Here are some options:
What is your school’s reputation built on, and does that reputation reflect the school’s mission statement?
What academic programs is your college known for, and how difficult would it be to enroll in the ones that interest me?
What financial aid opportunities does your school provide, and what is the average amount of the aid package?
How would you describe the academic pressure and workload?
What is the ratio of instructors to students, and are the instructors readily available for interaction outside the classroom?
Can you list some campus life facts and amenities that make your school stand out?
What are the rules governing freshmen’s course selection, and are most courses readily available?
Can you name some of the important support services for students and graduates?
What is the application success rate?
Is there anything you can share about your school’s application process that can help me succeed if I apply?