Encouraging students to explore their interest in various institutions of higher learning, the Phillips Academy College Counseling Office (CCO) hosted a college fair on Monday, with representatives from 171 national and international universities visiting campus. Though held primarily for students of the Academy, the event also attracted local high schoolers. According to Director of the CCO John Anderson, the purpose of the fair was not for students to come away with specific information about different schools, but rather to give them a chance to learn about the different academic and social aspects of the colleges. Students were also given the chance to ask the college representatives questions about what they look for in an applicant, as most of the schools represented at the fair sent admissions officers, rather than alumni. Mr. Anderson noted, “All of the representatives were focusing on the opportunity to inform students about their particular college, but not necessarily trying to sell it. They are obviously always trying to point out aspects of the school that make it stand out from the others, but they generally just want to make a strong and positive impression.” Before attending the college fair, Mr. Anderson encouraged his advisees to research several colleges so that students could conduct further research on schools in which they already have an interest. Although Mr. Anderson believes that these well-prepared students will benefit the most from the fair, he admits that anyone who attends can learn a great deal. He added, “The great thing about the fair was that if you realized you were not interested in a college, you could move right along to the next.”
