College Visits / College Fairs

What is a college visit?

A college/university representative will come to Deer Park High School to speak with interested students. The admissions representative will tell students all about their school's application process, academics, scholarships, financial aid, and student life. They will also hand out information and allow students to ask any questions they may have.

Please feel free to sign up if you are interested in the college/university. It is a good idea to introduce yourself to the representatives, who will be reading your applications, and ask great questions!

• Students: Check Naviance and Google Classroom for upcoming visit information and dates. Please sign up to attend any visits through the link HERE

How To Register/Sign Up With LINK:

• Go to student.naviance.com/colleges/visit

• Select the College Visits You Wish to Attend and click REGISTER NOW

How To Register/Sign Up from GOOGLE:

• On Google, Click the 9 Dots in the top right corner, and scroll all the way down until you see the icon for Naviance (It is Purple)

• Sign in using the BLUE Single Sign On Button

• Click Colleges At The Top and Click “COLLEGE VISITS”

• Select the College Visits You Wish to Attend and click REGISTER NOW

If you need a pass, please come to Guidance after registering to receive one. Please remember to check the date and time of each college visit to ensure you can attend. Mark it on your calendars or in your notes to remember to attend on the specified date you registered for!!!

• College representatives: Please visit RepVisits to schedule an appointment with our high school.

Tips for a great college fair experience:

1. Have a plan when attending a college fair. Do your research before attending a college fair. Make a list of schools you would like to meet with, what majors you are interested in, and any additional information you would like to gather, such as scholarship opportunities, admissions criteria, and housing options. College fairs can be overwhelming due to the number of attendees and schools represented. It is a good idea to go in with a plan to effectively utilize the experience. 

2. Come prepared with questions. Before the fair or visit, research the schools you are interested in. Come with a list of questions that cannot be easily answered on the school's website. What are things you want to know about the school, admissions process, or specific programs. 

3. Be prepared to give information. When you register for college fairs or are asked to complete an inquiry card, this is to give your name, contact information, graduation year, and academic program of interest to the schools you speak with. Make sure to write clearly and that you have a professional/personal email. You can also create an email specifically for college fairs and applications. This is how you will receive updated information about the schools you are interested in and invites to open houses or other events.

4. Do not be afraid to check out new and different schools. You should have a plan and list of schools you want to speak with. This does not mean you should limit yourself. Do not seek out only well-known schools. If you see a school, you know nothing about, go talk to the admissions rep. Start by asking for general information. Do not be afraid to tell them that you do not yet know anything about their school. Take a chance and see where it can lead you!

5. Dress for success. You want to leave a good first impression. Dress neatly and in shoes you can comfortable walk in for a while. Remember to smile, be engaged, and make good eye contact when you are meeting with college reps. 

6. Bring a tote bag. You will likely collect numerous brochures, business cards, and giveaways. Bringing a tote bag will help make it easier to carry all the materials. 

7. Follow up. If you are interested in a school, ask for the representatives' contact information. It helps so that you can reach out if you have any follow-up questions. It is a good idea to let the representative know that you are planning a visit to their school or when you apply. Making this type of contact expresses your level of interest. Remember, colleges want to admit students who want to be at their school!

8. Weigh your options. Attending a college fair or visit can be one of the first steps in your college search. After gathering information from schools, you should sit down, read, and digest the many pamphlets you have received. After that, you can narrow down your choices and schedule a campus visit. A college fair should help you both expand your options and eliminate schools.