Colleges and universities filled the Pasadena Convention Center on April 28 for the annual National College Fair to discuss topics pertinent to incoming students such as common mistakes they make on financial aid forms.
About 375 schools from across the United States and some international universities were invited to participate in the annual fair. The National College Fair is funded by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).
Claudia Carroll, counselor at Santa Monica College and a co-chair of the committee, was pleased with the number of students who attended the fair.
“The National College Fair is designed to provide students an opportunity to be exposed to colleges. It is one of the biggest college fairs,” Carroll said.
The fair had two parts to it, one in the morning and one at night. Both contained the same agendas which are the panels and the different college and university booths.
There was also the Community College Transfer Options (CCTO), where they discussed the advantages and affordability of attending a community college. Workshops such as writing UC and Common App essays, choosing a major, becoming a student-athlete and more were presented.
Students from middle school interested in community colleges were invited to the fair. Allan Sianders, 17, is a junior from Rancho Dominguez Preparatory looking for the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program.
“I haven’t decided yet for my major because I plan to go to the military,” Sianders said.
Jonah Cohen, 17, from Milken Community Schools, checked out schools that offer an Illustration or Animation Program for his major.
“I’m aiming for Cal Arts or Rhode Island School of Design who isn’t here today, but I did research on them,” Cohen said. “Cal Arts has this vibe of nurturing their artists to tell a story.”
The National College Fair happens every April in Los Angeles, according to Carroll.
“It’s open to all students at any grade levels, and we also invited community college students who want to transfer,” Carroll said.