Are you about to attend a college fair or meet the admissions representative at your school?  Don’t forget the rules of good etiquette.  Just like learning about table manners, proper introductions, and social graces, there are some things you can do to make your experience as successful as possible.

Begin by introducing yourself to the person behind the table.  A firm handshake and a smile will go a long way. Ask them questions about their school’s admissions policies, academics, and activities if you are one-on-one with the representative. If there is a large group of people at the table, he or she may choose to give an overview of the institutions information to the group.  You may hear the answer to your questions over a 15 minute period and save both you and the representative time and effort.

At a college fair,  you may be asked to fill out an information card, so be sure to do it at that table. Using a neighboring college’s table could cause some hard feelings between representatives.  It will take a few days for information to be sent to you, so please be patient. If you have preregistered for the college fair online, you will receive a bar code that can be used at the machine on the table to scan your personal information such as name, address, and contact information. I have also seen students pre-print labels with this same contact information making the card a snap to complete.  This allows for more time to talk to the representative.

Make a good first impression. This is your chance to show the admissions representative you are interested in learning about their institution. Turn your cell phone off and wait until later to text your friends. Give these representatives your undivided attention.

When the visit is over, say “thank you” and if you are really interested in their programs, ask for a business card.  To show your interest, send a handwritten note to thank them for taking the time to share their insight about their college. You might be amazed how many of them will keep these notes to reference later.

Good luck, have fun, gather information, and show off your college admissions etiquette. More tips available in College Bound! Written by a professional college planner to answer your questions 24/7!