Students can learn about college at annual fair

Date: 2/22/2010

WEST SPRINGFIELD The Springfield National College Fair will take place March 7 from noon to 4 p.m. and March 8 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Eastern States Exposition (The Big E) in West Springfield. Sponsored by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and hosted by the New England Association for College Admission Counseling (NEACAC), this event is free and open to the public.

Complete information about this National College Fair can be found online at www.nacacnet.org/EventsTraining/CollegeFairs/ncf/Spring/Pages/SpringfieldNCF.aspx.

As the process of applying to and selecting a college becomes more and more competitive and complex, students and parents need all the help and information they can get. Attending a college fair is an excellent way to gather information about colleges and universities. The national college fair program provides valuable resources for students and parents attempting to navigate the college-admission process.

The fair allows students and parents to meet one-on-one with admission representatives from a wide range of national and international, public and private, two-year and four-year colleges and universities. Participants will learn about admission requirements, financial aid, course offerings and campus environment, as well as other information pertinent to the college-selection process. At the fair's counseling center, students and parents can discuss their individual needs with college experts.

"The resources and opportunities that the National College Fairs provide for students and their families are invaluable," said Greg Ferguson, NACAC Director of National College Fairs Programs and Services, "and admission professionals have been delighted by the caliber of students attending our programs."

Requesting information from multiple colleges and universities at the NACAC College Fair just got easier for students. By pre-registering students can print a bar coded confirmation to be used on-site at the fair as an electronic ID. No more filling out information cards! Have your students pre-register online at www.gotomyncf.com.

Now in its 38th year, the National College Fair program annually helps more than 850,000 students and families nationwide explore their options for higher education, making it one of the most visible college recruitment tools in the country. In addition to the National College Fairs program, NACAC also hosts Performing and Visual Arts College Fairs. These fairs take place during the fall and are designed to serve students with particular interest in the fine arts. NACAC currently sponsors National College Fairs and Performing and Visual Arts College fairs in 68 locations across the county. For a complete schedule, visit www.nacacnet.org/EventsTraining/CollegeFairs/ncf/Spring/.

More information about the Springfield National College Fair, including directions to the fair, a list of colleges exhibiting at the fair and tips for preparing for the fair, is available on the NACAC Web site at www.nacacnet.org/fairs, by emailing collegefairs@nacacnet.org or by calling (800) 822-6285.