NACAC launches inaugural season of virtual college fairs
By Emma Steele
July 30, 2020
The National Association for College Admission Counseling’s inaugural season of virtual college fairs launches on August 19 from 2 – 6 p.m. ET with a Counselors Preview for high school counselors and advisers. Registration for this free event is now open at virtualcollegefairs.org.
During the four-hour Counselors Preview, more than 600 colleges and universities will be online to meet virtually with counselors. By participating, counselors will receive up-to-date information on college programs and the latest coronavirus-impacted policies regarding test scores, application deadlines, financial aid, and more.
“A high school counselor can make all the difference in a student’s life path, and so it is important that NACAC’s first virtual college fair be for them. This is especially true now. High school juniors and seniors have had so many disruptions in their lives and need advisers who are not only informed about changes in the college admission process but can reinforce that making plans for the future is still important and college is still important.”
Following the Counselors Preview, four NACAC Virtual College Fairs for students will be held on Sept. 13, Oct. 12, Oct. 18, and Nov. 8.
NACAC is grateful for the promotional support of Common App, which is helping to spread the word about the student fairs to 1.7 million juniors and seniors.
“Students this fall will be looking for new ways to explore colleges, and the NACAC Virtual College Fairs are a great place to start. Along with NACAC, we’re committed to the pursuit of access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process, and want to help students get to and through college. These virtual fairs offer a way to help connect counselors, students, and their families with colleges and universities around the world.”
The virtual fairs are designed to replicate much of the experience of in-person college fairs, which the association has offered for more than 45 years and canceled this year because of the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing health concerns surrounding large gatherings. In their place, NACAC’s virtual fairs, powered by VisitDays, provide a dynamic, new digital meeting space for students no matter where they live or what their situation.
“NACAC Virtual College Fairs help even the playing field by offering access,” said Pérez. “All students can log in using their phone or computer to attend sessions offered by hundreds of colleges, ask questions, and even schedule a time to meet one-on-one with an admissions representative. It’s a way for students to explore their options and find the best fit for achieving their college dreams.”
Students may attend the free NACAC Virtual College Fairs as often as they like, and parents are invited as well. Student fair registration begins in mid-August at virtualcollegefairs.org.
About NACAC
The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) is a nonprofit organization representing nearly 14,000 counseling and admission professionals worldwide since 1937. NACAC and its members are dedicated to ethical and inclusive service to students as they make choices about their higher education future.
About Common App
Common App is a not-for-profit member organization committed to the pursuit of access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process. Each year, more than one million students, one-third of whom are first-generation, apply to college through the Common App’s online application. In January 2019, the Common App united with Reach Higher, the college access and success campaign started by former First Lady Michelle Obama during her time at the White House. Its core programming, including Better Make Room, UpNext, College Signing Day, Beating the Odds, school counselor support, and current grants continues as part of the Common App’s work with its member institutions, school counselors, and students.
By joining forces, Common App and Reach Higher accelerated progress toward our joint goal of supporting all students, especially low-income and first-generation students, in achieving their higher education dreams. Our access and equity work for students include a college advising texting campaign with AdmitHub and College Advising Corps, scholarships and community college initiatives, Dear Class of 2020 Fund, and more.
Founded in 1975, Common App serves over 900 member colleges and universities worldwide.
To learn more, visit commonapp.org, and follow @CommonApp and #CommonApp on social media.