Your Guide to the Best College Fairs 2022

With so many college fairs and so little time, it can be helpful to both colleges and students to know which college fairs are causing a buzz and are must-attend for prospective students. There are plenty of options for students who prefer not to spend a boatload of money on plane tickets and risk traveling during the pandemic too. These virtual college fairs are a great way to connect with college recruiters without the cost and health risk associated with crowded in-person events.

Best Virtual College Fairs of 2022

Attending a college fair in sweatpants? Sign us up. These virtual college fairs are some of the biggest happening this year, so make sure you sign up to connect with the colleges of your dreams.

1. Tallo’s 2022 College Fair of the Year for Seniors | August 3, 2022

Tallo runs a virtual career and college fair app called Ping. A variety of college fairs are hosted through the Ping app, including one of the biggest virtual college fairs on our list. The best part is that you can pop in and out of the event whenever you like. The fair runs from 8AM to 8PM EST, and no matter what time you log in, seniors can connect with college recruiters from some of the top colleges in the country.

Seniors: If you’re a student that wants to attend this fair, all you have to do is register on the Ping app and sign up for the event. Then, when the day arrives, log in and connect with recruiters virtually.
Colleges: If you’re a college that wants to join in on the action, fill out Tallo’s event registration form and we’ll send you everything you need for the big day. Tallo also has a super helpful video to help colleges learn more about the fair.

2. Coalition for College April 2022 Virtual College Fair | April 12 & 14, 2022
Coalition for College is made up of member schools who support low-income, under-resourced, and first-generation students. They help provide responsible financial aid and bolster the student’s success in college. The Coalition was founded in 2015 to help improve the college application process for under-represented students. They offer tools that help students learn about, prepare for and apply to college. Their April college fair is already scheduled with a variety of great colleges and universities ready to connect with students.

To learn more about the event, visit their April 2022 Virtual College Fair page.

3. NACAC Virtual College Fairs | Multiple Events All Year
The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) was founded in 1937 and is made up of over 25,000 professionals located all around the world. Together, they help students make choices about pursuing post-secondary education. They have a robust college fair program, including both virtual college fairs and in-person college fairs, that students can attend to meet with different schools and make decisions about their scholastic future.

To learn more about NACAC virtual college fairs, check out their events page today.

Best In-Person College Fairs of 2022

College fairs are hosted all the time around the country. These fairs can be nationwide events, regional events, or statewide events, all designed to help students make a decision about where they go to college. If you’re looking to go to an in-person college fair, the best way to do this is to narrow down your choices of colleges. If you have a program you’re really interested in, pick the top 3 schools whose programs fit your criteria. Then, do a little bit of research. Chances are that those colleges have fairs they run on their own campus or in your region. If you’re considering colleges across the country, you may need to plan ahead and purchase plane tickets or find other forms of transportation to get to the fair.

If you’re not certain what you want to do, but you know you want to go to college, NACAC, who we mentioned above, has fairs around the country where over a hundred different colleges attend. These massive fairs can be a great way to get information about a bunch of colleges at once; but be warned—these fairs can feel a little overwhelming. Just plan to get there early, take your time, and be sure to pick up the business cards of the college representatives that you’re most interested in speaking with. Remember: They’re there to meet you, too! Your impression of them is just as important as their impression of you.

To learn more about the fairs hosted by NACAC, visit their events page. The NACAC college fair spring schedule is already posted, so be sure to bookmark the page and ensure you keep an eye on the rest of their programming for the year.

Choosing and Attending the Best College Fair For You

Choosing a college can feel like a huge decision—because it is! Whether you’re looking at colleges just a half an hour from home or interested in going across the country to the school of your choice, it’s important to do your research. Both virtual college fairs and in-person college fairs are a great way to do that. Virtual college fairs offer the added benefit of the college fair experience without the cost. This way, if you’re already on a tight budget you plan to spend on your applications, you don’t have to waste a single penny on plane tickets, food, and lodging. Well, maybe not food. You still will have to eat at home.

When attending a college fair, whether it’s virtual or in-person, make sure you dress to make a good first impression. This doesn’t necessarily mean a suit and tie. Rather, clean clothes, no graphics, and a great attitude. You can also pack a resume (did you know Tallo can help you build a resume?) or any records of the things you’ve done that you’re proud of. College recruiters love to see that level of enthusiasm.

Last of all, bring questions with you. Like we mentioned above, a college fair is as much an interview of you as it is of the college. You may think you’d really love a college, and then realize it’s not the right fit for you after talking to a recruiter. Conversely, you may be going to the college fair to talk to a specific college representative and realize a different college in attendance is the perfect spot for you. That’s just one of the many fun and exciting things about virtual college fairs and in-person college fairs.