Considering the onslaught of pressure to figure out the next four years coupled with the desperation to conceive the perfect 650-word essay encapsulating a uniquely traumatic moment in one’s life, the fall of senior year is a stressful time for many DHS students applying to colleges. In an attempt to lighten some of the burden weighing on their minds and alleviate any pressing questions, this past Tuesday the College Fair was held in the gymnasium with mixed results. 

The lineup of universities represented included many popular institutions in the New England area, and their booths had crowds to show for it. The University of Connecticut representative had a line stringing through the aisle with students eager to discuss the fruitful academic opportunities and campus living options, while UMASS Amherst and Boston were equally swamped. Emmanuel College and University of Vermont had similar turnouts, and the admissions committee members running both tables were well-equipped to answer questions regarding educational activities available to students seeking a hands-on approach to their education; UVM has a farm where bleary-eyed veterinary students get to head to the barn as early as 5 am to milk the campus cows.

Multiple schools from out of state were concurrently abundant with applicant candidates, including Florida Institute of Technology which boasts that 35% of applications are out-of-state. Tables for the Savannah College of Art and Design and the Air Force did have bountiful turnouts as well, but both also had bribery in tow – SCAD with a colorful and massive array of stickers, and the Air Force with miniature foam soccer balls.

Yet, despite all of the open communication and general tomfoolery taking place, not all students seemed to glean a flowing stream of knowledge from this gilded fountain. Senior Nadia Garriga attested that the college fair “feels kind of pointless when most of the schools [represented at the fair] are in this area and we already know about them,” she said. “By this time of year, seniors already know what colleges they’re applying to.”

Even some juniors who attended had negative experiences with one Brooke Davis sharing that “it was very overwhelming. It was difficult to process all the information at once.” 

Based upon observation and student testimonials, most students only veered towards the colleges that they already knew they were applying to, and very few obtained information that they were unaware of walking into the gym. The college fair might be a great way to get out of class, but it’s clearly not the most efficient method for providing students with an educational seminar regarding their potential collegiate paths.