COLLEGE FAIR TODAY LETS STUDENTS LOOK OVER SCHOOLS

The flurry of activity associated with college planning officially begins today when the 11th annual Regional College Fair is held at the Show Me Center.

High school juniors and seniors from some 19 area schools will attend the event from noon to 2:30 to gain information from recruiters representing more than 70 colleges, vocational schools and military branches.

The bulk of the recruiters represent two- and four-year colleges and vocational schools in Missouri, Kentucky, Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi and Tennessee. National military divisions and academies and various other agencies and financial institutions also will be on hand.

"In terms of post-high school training, we do give them a sampling of all their options," said Judi Meyr, a Jackson High School guidance counselor and event organizer.

Meyr said the event will let students hear what their options are in terms of institution types, curriculum and degree areas, and school size. The fair's central site benefits students from smaller school districts who might otherwise not be able to speak with a recruiter.

"It helps especially the smaller schools because they couldn't host a fair on their campus, or if they could, they couldn't have 70 schools on hand," she said. "This gives it a more regional focus."

The expected 1,500 students won't be able to hear everything recruiters know within the limited afternoon session. However, an evening session will be held from 6 to 7:30 to allow parents and younger high school students to speak with recruiters.

"It gives the parents an opportunity to sit down one on one and have their questions answered," Meyr said.

Jackson High School counselor Sarah Nussbaum said the regional event signifies the beginning of the college admission season.

Nussbaum, who meets with high school seniors to review their class rank, grade-point averages and other transcript information, said that after the fair many students narrow their list of college options and begin looking for financial aid information.

"The whole post-secondary planning process starts very early," said Nussbaum. "As counselors, we talk about the type of school environment students want so we can help them obtain information on schools that fit those profiles."

Students often attend college fairs to have questions answered regarding how they will pay for college.

"The biggest source of scholarship aid will come from the school itself," Nussbaum said. "That's why it's important to get that information and get those college applications in early."

While recruiters are paid to entice students to their colleges, Nussbaum said it's critical students follow-up the college fair with visits to the schools they were most interested in. Many school districts, including Jackson, grant a limited number of excused absences so seniors can visit college campuses during the school year.

"I always tell students to schedule a college visit during the week on the campus," she said. "There's nothing worse than to talk to a child who's selected a college, and they're homesick and hate the school they are attending. Sometimes a campus visit can keep that from happening."