As high school goes on students begin to take the lead in planning their future. Here to help, the college fair hits the Scheels Arena. While over 90 schools and programs surround the arena counselor Cassie Johnson describes the scene.
“Most students were able to walk amongst over 75 colleges or program options there were also some two year trade options there as well along with other companies throughout the community that might offer some hand on training for free after high school there were also some military recruitment too. “ she said. “Students were able to walk around and meet with each one of those and meet with the individuals and were also able to talk about finances what scholarships might be available to them what program requirements and get better idea of what they might be able to do and what fits with their personality and interests the best”. Johnson said
Johnsons description of how useful the fair was leads to what Junior student Cierra Heley and Senior Taylor Cook have to find.
“You get to know a lot of information you want to know. You can ask questions on things you want answered instead of having to try and search for the information” Heley says
“It was inspiring to be able to see all of the choices I have in my future and I think it will be really helpful in my search for a college”. Cook says
Heley and Cook were among many other students who had the chance to tour all of the colleges were impressed with their findings using the information to help guide their future. One thing that really stood out about the trip was students had the chance to look at more than just one college at a time Penni Apperspiach explains her idea on the topic
“it allows students to take just a little bit of time to visit over 90colleges in one spot it is a very efficient way for students to make some quick decision making” she said “ I think students can certainly look at a website if they are interested in that college, but the college fair gives them a real life person who knows about that college to maybe give them answers to questions they maybe didn’t even know they had so instead of reading about it they get to talk to someone that knows about their program, knows about tuition, knows what students fit there, it makes it a lot easier for students and takes some of the research out of the long process”. Apperspiach says.
As students prepare for the road ahead of them the college fair was proven very useful in the decision process.
“Hopefully the college fair gives students new ideas on schools and programs that they plan on attending and get more information on it, opening their eyes to some possibilities they haven’t thought about before”. Apperspiach says.