Fall 2020 Virtual College Fairs, Tours and Information Sessions

We know that it can be difficult to get to know colleges during COVID-19, when you are unable to walk around campus or get face-to-face time with an admissions officer during a college fair.

But it is still SO important that you make the effort to demonstrate your interest with the colleges on your list! In some ways, it is even easier to do so now, since you can attend information sessions and tours all over the country from your computer - so there’s no excuse!

Fall 2020 College Fairs Washington DC

Carnegie Mellon’s Turn Tartan Experience

Event Description:

Carnegie Mellon is providing so many virtual offerings to get to know the school, including information sessions with different colleges and academic departments within the university, tours, and student panels. The big one for me here is that they are also providing one-on-one admissions counseling sessions during the event! This is a GREAT way to get to know your admissions officer and demonstrate your interest in the school. 

When:

The Turn Tartan Experience runs from this Sunday, September 20 through October 29. Most sessions are in the evenings between 4:00 and 8:00 pm EDT, although they also have some sessions on the weekends.

Learn more and register for the Turn Tartan Experience here

Metro 5: Liberal Arts in the City

Event Description:

If you are interested in a small liberal arts college with ties to a major city, I highly recommend this session. The Metro 5 session for counselors was one of Shannon’s favorites so far this cycle! You’ll hear from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR; Macalester College in St. Paul, MN; Rhodes College in Memphis, TN; the University of Richmond here in Virginia; and Trinity College in Hartford, CT. If you haven’t heard of some of these small institutions, it is worth checking out this session to see if one could be a good fit. 

When:

Monday, September 21 at 6:00 pm EDT

Learn more and register for Metro 5 here

The Metropolitan University Tour

Event Description:

Southern Methodist University, Tulane, Northeastern, George Washington, and the University of Miami team up in this session to introduce students to top research institutions located in major cities. Joint info sessions like this one are a great way to learn about the schools that interest you while also gaining information about more institutions you may want to add to your list! 

When:

Wednesday, September 30 at 8:00 pm EDT

Learn more and register for the MET here

Discovering U Virtual Group Sessions

Event Description:

Join Columbia University, the University of Chicago, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Michigan, and Yale University for this online info session. This is a great opportunity for students to hear from several highly selective schools at once. 

When:

The next session is being offered on October 1 at 8:00 pm EDT. However, Discovering U is also offering several special sessions that are worth checking out, including a Current Student Panel on October 8 and a Session with the Deans on October 22. 

Learn more and register for Discovering U here.


UCLA’s Annual Fall Open House

Event Description:

UCLA has made their annual event virtual this year, which is a great opportunity for students on the East Coast who may not have been able to attend an in-person event on campus. There will be sessions on admissions, financial aid, housing, academic programs, and student life, among others. 

When:

Monday, October 5 through Saturday, October 10. The sessions will be a little late for those of us in the DC area, running from 7:00 to 10:00 pm EDT on weekdays, but the Saturday session will be in the afternoon from 4:00 to 8:00 pm EDT. 

Learn more and register for UCLA’s Fall Open House here.

NACAC Virtual College Fairs

Event Description:

NACAC is offering four virtual college fairs this fall, and each fair has over 600 institutions in attendance! Their virtual experience lets you put together a schedule so you can catch the Zoom presentations from the colleges you are most interested in, as well as set up one-on-one meetings with admissions officers. 

When:

The next fair on Monday, October 12 runs from 1:00 to 9:00 pm EDT and features sessions from Boston University, Clemson, and Fordham, along with 600+ other colleges and universities. 

Learn more and register for a Virtual College Fair here.

National CCAA Virtual College Fair

Event Description:

The Catholic College Admission Association is offering its first virtual fair this month. Over 100 Catholic colleges and universities will be in attendance, and the fair will involve one-on-one chats with admissions officers from many of these schools.

When:

Tuesday, September 29 from 7:30 to 9:30 pm EDT

Learn more and register for a Virtual College Fair here.

Preview Georgia Tech

Event Description:

Georgia Tech’s Open House spans three weeks in October, giving students the opportunity to register for sessions of interest from dozens of options including First-Year Admissions, Student Panels, Academics, and Career Counseling.

When:

Monday, October 12 - Thursday, October 29, with evening sessions from 4:00 - 7:00 pm EDT.

Learn more and register for Preview Georgia Tech here.

Greater Atlanta Area Colleges Virtual Exploration

Event Description:

Nine Atlanta-area schools, including Emory, Georgia Tech, and UGA, will host sessions and presentations at this three-day virtual fair, with typical Admissions sessions as well as specific events like “Why Atlanta?” to help students explore schools in the area.

When:

Tuesday, October 6 - Thursday, October 8, with sessions in the evenings.

Learn more and register for a Virtual College Fair here.

Six Colleges Events

Event Description:

Amherst, Bowdoin, Carleton, Pomona, Swarthmore, and Williams have joined together to put on these virtual events throughout the fall. Students can register for individual events, but there is also a single form that students can fill out to receive information about each school and all of the upcoming sessions.

When:

Wednesday, August 26 - Tuesday, October 27, with sessions in the evenings, though they will also send recordings of events to all registrants if you are unable to watch live.

Learn more and register for a Six Colleges event here.

UF Student Experience Q&A

Event Description:

This event will enable prospective students to hear from current students at the University of Florida and participate in a live Q&A. I love events like this because hearing from current students is a great way to get a “feel” for the university that might be missing in virtual tours and information sessions when prospective students can’t get to campus.

When:

Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:30 pm ET throughout the fall semester.

Learn more and register for the UF Student Experience here.

UF DMV-Area Information Sessions

Event Description:

In addition to the student panels, this is another great resource for students interested in applying to the University of Florida. Our admissions representative will be offering virtual information sessions for residents of the DC area to discuss the application process and life at UF.

When:

There are four separate sessions over two weeks. The first one is on Thursday, October 8 at 4:00 pm EDT.

Learn more and register for a DMV-area virtual information session here.

NWHE Special Topics Sessions

Event Description:

The cool thing about these sessions hosted by Notre Dame, Wash U, Johns Hopkins, and Emory is that each session has a particular special topic that will be of interest to many applicants right now, including Decision Plans and Special Programs, as well as a session on applying during the COVID-19 pandemic.

When:

Sunday, October 4; Wednesday, October 14; and Sunday, October 18, with sessions in the evenings.

Learn more and register for a Special Topics session here.

Northeast Public Universities at a Glance

Event Description:

This hour-long virtual event is a great way for students to get some quick information about large public research universities in the Northeast, including Rutgers University, the University of Connecticut, the University of Delaware, the University of Maryland, and the University of Pittsburgh.

When:

Thursday, October 8 or Wednesday, October 14, 7:00 - 8:00 pm EDT

Learn more and register for a Northeast Publics session here.

Rochester Institute of Technology Open House

Event Description:

RIT is offering virtual open house sessions in October and November. Students can learn more about specific degree programs of interest as well as “Beyond Academics” sections that cover various aspects of student life.

When:

Various dates throughout October and November, click the link below for more information about specific sessions.

Learn more and register for an RIT Open House session here.

Explore Maryland Day

Event Description:

This full day of live sessions from the University of Maryland provides students with the opportunity to learn about the various colleges within the university, hear from current students, and learn more about resources on campus. Students can choose to attend just one session or the full day.

When:

Saturday, October 17, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm EDT

Learn more and register for Explore Maryland Day here.

Baylor Premiere

Event Description:

This is another full-day open house, with breakout sessions for academic programs, a live Zoom tour, a parent Q&A session, and other options throughout the day.

When:

Saturday, October 24, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm EDT

Learn more and register for the Baylor Premiere here.

UVA Virtual Event Series Week

Event Description:

This week of sessions from UVA includes presentations from admissions deans and undergraduate students, as well as sessions on different colleges and academic programs, student resources, and student life on campus.

When:

Monday, October 19 - Thursday, October 22, with sessions from 6:00-8:00 pm EDT

Learn more and register for the Virtual Event Series Week here.