By William McDermott
On Tuesday October 22, Westchester-Putnam College Conferences hosted a college fair at the Westchester County Center. The event featured representatives from over 200 colleges and universities to give prospective students insight into the programs and opportunities that their school offers. Students were able to ask the representatives questions and sign up for their email list to receive additional information. I, as well as the people I interviewed, believe that the event was a very positive experience.
I talked the Gabriel Racaniello, a junior at White Plains High School, who is interested in studying applied mathematics. The main colleges he researched were UCONN, Binghamton, and Stony Brook.
“They (admissions representatives) were all super welcoming, enthusiastic and easy to talk to,” Racaniello said when I asked him if he felt like he was able to have good conversations with the admissions representatives.
He believes that it was a beneficial experience and agrees that it is important for prospective students to attend.
“These fairs are important to get you exposed and excited for the college environment and process. (They’re) also good to test the waters and see what schools would be a good fit for you.”
Haley Avila, a junior at The Ursuline School, echoed his sentiment. She’s interested in studying English and/or publishing and is also considering music production. She was interested in Quinnipiac, Fordham, Iona, Manhattan University, and NYU.
“I did have good conversations with the admissions reps. They were really helpful and great at explaining what the school offered, especially in terms of my interests. They also made sure to answer any questions I had.”
Fairs can also be a great way to make connections with representatives.
“I found out one of the college reps actually went to Ursuline too, so that was pretty cool," Avila said.
When I asked her why she thinks it’s important for people to attended college fairs, she said, “It’s a great way to learn more about schools you may be interested in. The reps give you a lot of great information in terms of your interests. They’re able to talk to you about academics and clubs, and it gives you a better understanding of what you want and may not want. Also, it’s a good way to just look at schools that maybe you didn’t think of looking into or haven’t heard of.”
Although this round of fairs is over, Westchester-Putnam College Conferences is hosting more on April 29 and 30 of 2025. After reading testaments by other students about the importance of going to these fairs, I encourage readers who are starting the college search to attend. The college search process can be overwhelming and stressful at times but familiarizing yourself with the different options out there can certainly help.
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