Whether you meet a college representative at your school, a hotel, a National Association for College Admission Counseling College Fair, or in a college admissions office, here are some ways to be prepared:

1. Be sure to know the college rep’s full name and the college he or she represents.

2. Before you meet, find out something about the school. You can do this by going to their college website or by reading their page in the Fiske Guide to Colleges. This will help you to determine what you like about the college.

3. As you approach the rep, say something like, “Hi. I’m _________, a senior at ______________ High School. As I have looked into colleges, your school is one that I like best. I’m wondering if you have a minute to answer a few questions?”

4. Now, if you’re going to say the above, be prepared to identify four, five, six reasons why you’re interested in the school.

5. You should also come prepared to ask the rep some questions, such as:

• What is the campus like when classes are not in session? What do students do during evenings and weekends?
• What kind of students attend your school? Are they serious academics, jocks, techies, partygoers, “green” people, or a mix of all kinds?
• What percentage of students live on campus? If they don’t live there, where do they live?
• What do students like most about your college?
• What are the classes and who are the professors that get the most rave reviews?
• Ask anything else you want to know about the college, for real.

6. When you feel like you’re done or the rep says he or she has to move on, then thank the rep for his or her time and ask for a business card.

7. When you get home, send a thank-you email and say how much you enjoyed the conversation, refer to a couple of things you discussed, and indicate your real interest in the college.