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Overview

College Fairs


What is a college fair?

College fairs offer prospective students and their parents the opportunity to meet with representatives from colleges and universities and receive information from the schools they may be interested in attending. These fairs are often a student’s first contact with Norwich University and it is to our advantage to attend as many of these college fairs as possible. This is where NUAAP will directly benefit the University and the many students and parents who will gain knowledge of Norwich University.

We provide concise and easy to read information on our two lifestyles, academic offerings, financial aid, and student life. The prospective student that visits NU’s table may range from those who have a vast knowledge of Norwich, to those who may have never before heard of Norwich! There will be some that have a preset list of questions that they ask every school that they talk to, and some will have no questions at all and expect the representative to “sell” the University to them. We have a lot to be proud of at Norwich University and the most important goal of this program is to have more people aware of our excellence!

Basic Points

  • Be positive, enthusiastic and professional!
  • Never speak negatively about another college of university!
  • Never stand in front of your table; always remain behind it! It is a far less intimidating position to take and in most cases is part of the college fair etiquette/rules
  • Be courteous to exhibitors and fair attendees near you. If you are using audio-visual equipment it should not interfere with other exhibitors
  • Do not allow students to fill out Norwich University inquiry cards at the tables of other colleges
  • Never crowd too many volunteers behind a table at a fair, generally booths are restricted to 2 representatives
  • Promotional giveaways are strictly prohibited. Only literature pertaining to the college or university is permitted

Before the fair

Please take the time to review your NUAAP material. It would be unfair for us to ask you to know all of the information about NU, but knowing the basics will help you to feel more comfortable when talking to students and parents. Keep in mind that you are not an Admissions Counselor, but an Admissions Ambassador. If specific questions should arise concerning admissions requirements, please be sure to direct those questions to the Admissions Office.

Before going to the college fair and talking to students, it helps to know some general information to share with them. Take some time to go through all of the admissions and recruiting materials.

Also go through the viewbook to learn the layout. This way if a question should arise that you do not know the answer to, you can quickly look it up. The more you review it, the easier it will be to answer questions that may come up. Remember, most questions can be answered by the materials right in front of you!

If you can, familiarize yourself with Norwich University’s website, www.norwich.edu, and all that it offers- XNU, an interactive “day in the life of”, applying online, setting up day  visits and overnight visits, financial aid, recommended high school course work, etc. Students are now utilizing the web more than ever in their college search proves, so it would be beneficial for you to have some knowledge of what is available online.

Setting Up Shop

The following are some suggestions for a table set up that is both attractive and efficient. You, however, are in charge and are free to arrange things in a manner that works best for you.

  • Put out the supplied number of college fair pieces (“Are You Norwich?”), U Earned It, ROTC brochures, LCW brochures, and inquiry cards for students to pick up.
  • If you have a set of the NUAAP Display Boards, please stand those up as a nice backdrop to the materials. Also, consider unfolding one of the college fair pieces to attract students’ attention or use the application or viewbook as part of the display as well.
  • Bring along a Norwich sweatshirt, hat, banner, etc. Anything you think might add pizzazz to the display!

At The Fair

Review the location, distance, time, and other important information about the event. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start time so that you have sufficient time to register, get to the NU table, and then set up. Many schools also offer refreshments for college representatives before the program; if so, help yourself! This is a great opportunity to grab a quick bite and chat with other college reps and high school staff members.

Remember, there is no guarantee how many students at the program will be interested in Norwich. If you’re in an area where we traditionally attract students, you may have a busy night! If, however, you live in an area where Norwich is not as well known, it could be a slow evening. If this happens, please don’t be discouraged! Just being present is important – not just to students and parents, but to high school counselors as well. Keep in mind that one good conversation with an interested and enthusiastic young man or woman can be much more rewarding than 20 conversations with 20 different students with limited interest in NU!

At the fair one of your primary goals will be for students to fill out the Inquiry cards and return them to you. When these cards are returned to the Admissions Office the prospective students will be added to our database, allowing us to remain in contact with those who are interested.

During your time at the fair, let students come to you. You are there solely to provide information; there is no need to “hard sell” the University. Remain standing behind the table during the course of the fair and remember that it’s best not to summon a student to your table, let them come to you!

Last but not least, relax and have fun! You’re not going to know the answer to every question, no one does, but prospective students and their parents always appreciate someone who is warm and friendly, and who is sincerely interested in helping them learn more about our school. And remember, a lot of folks will be impressed that you’re willing to volunteer your time to promote NU as a viable college option for them!

Immediately Following The Fair

Make sure that you clean up your area, pack up, and take everything that you brought with you. Keep all the undistributed materials for use at future fairs, or distribute the information out to teachers who are present or high schools in your area.

Now go home, kick off your shoes and relax! Feel free to pat yourself on the back for a job well done. And know that the Admissions Office sincerely appreciates your willingness to represent Norwich on their behalf. Thank you!

Please mail all completed inquiry cards and the fair evaluation form to:

Meaghan M. Cummings
Associate Director of Admissions/NUAAP Director
Admissions Office
Norwich University
27 I.D. White Avenue
Northfield, VT 05663

College Fair Do's and Don'ts

Do...

  • Be friendly, attentive, and Smile! The best thing you can do is convey your pride and enthusiasm for Norwich with those who come to talk with you. They are more apt to remember their impression of the Norwich representative than the information you discuss!
  • Enjoy the fact that you are sharing your experiences with interested students and their families. Stress your feelings about the University and how it prepared you for your professional and personal life.
  • Realize that Norwich is not for everyone. It’s ok if the student isn’t interested.
  • Realize that the way you represent yourself is the way you are representing Norwich University!
  • Make sure the students and families know that you are an Admissions Ambassador, not an Admissions Counselor.
  • Make sure that if you do not know the answer to a question, you write down the student’s information and tell them that a Counselor will get back to them with the answer.
  • If you tell a student or parent that you will get back to them, make sure you do!
  • Dress professionally and wear comfortable shoes.
  • Stay behind your table. Never stand in the aisles and remember to keep all walkways clear of materials.
  • Allow students to freely choose to come to your table. Never call them over!

Don't...

  • Don’t say negative things about other institutions. Discuss our strengths, not other schools perceived weaknesses. Encourage the students to learn about other schools and draw their own conclusions.
  • DO NOT guarantee admission or even speak of specific possibilities! Only the Admissions Office can make these decisions!
  • Remember to try not to talk about the “old days.” Much has changed on our campus in the past years and students will not have a high interest in these stories.
  • Don’t force information on a student who is just looking for the basics. If all they want is to pick up a brochure, let them! It’s ok that not everyone wants to get all the details at once.
  • Please remember that the Corps of Cadets is not for everyone…do not force a student who says (s)he is interested in the Traditional lifestyle to look at the Corps material as well.

Good Opening Questions

Occasionally students will be hesitant to ask questions of you. The following are some great icebreakers which will help initiate a conversation:

  • What academic areas are you considering?
  • How are you doing academically?
  • Which lifestyle are you looking at?
  • Have you ever visited Norwich?
  • What other colleges or universities are you considering?
  • Are you interested in ROTC or our Corps of Cadets?
  • What type of extracurricular activities are you involved in? Do you hope to continue any of those in college?
  • Would you like to be on our mailing list so that you can receive additional information on Norwich University? If so, please fill out an inquiry card.

Our Contact Information

NU Admissions Address

Admissions Office
Norwich University
27 I.D. White Avenue
Northfield, VT 05663

Our Phone Numbers

1-800-468-6679
802-485-2001 (Front Desk)
802-485-2825 (M. Cummings)

Our Fax Number

802-485-2032

Our Email Addresses

nuadm@norwich.edu
mcumming@norwich.edu