Take a Look at CTCL College Fairs

The College Fair That May Change Your Life

It is tour time for a group that I recommend to EVERY family with a college-bound student:  Colleges That Change Lives or CTCL.  This consortium of 44 colleges tours the Chicago area every year with a presentation and a 90-minute college fair.

This event is scheduled for Sunday, August 25, 2014, at:

            Lincolnshire Marriott Resort, Lincolnshire, IL    12 noon           

            The Westin Chicago Northwest, Itasca, IL                    5:00 p.m.

Attend either one. They are the same presentation held conveniently for the western suburbs of Chicago.

Why This College Fair?

The members of this group of colleges are each

dedicated to the advancement and support of a student-centered college search process. We work to dispel publicly held myths about college choice

As a college admission coach, I believe this event is really important for student (and their families) who fall into one of the following 4 categories:

• Juniors or seniors who are considering applying to only large, public or private universities.

I recommend that students apply to at least 3 different types of colleges—large public, small private, and medium public or private.  If you are limiting yourself to just the major flagship or large public institutions, you may be missing the “just right for you” college.  The CTCL event will introduce you to why these smaller (sometimes called “unknown gems”) colleges are worth investigating.  And, you can learn it all in just 90-120 minutes!

• Juniors or seniors who are uncertain about what types of colleges to apply to.

If you are beginning your college search and feeling a bit overwhelmed, this College Fair Event will give you some perspective and is a great place to start.

• Parents who question the value of a “Liberal Arts” degree.

In one 30-minute session (the Introductory session of this College Fair event), you’ll learn about the “new” value of the liberal arts colleges, much of it based on recent research of what skills employers seek and the occupational outlook for our current high school students.

• Of course, any student who is applying to any of the 44 Colleges That Change Lives.

As I always advise students, stopping by a college fair or any event that you can meet face-to-face with your admission counselor is a very efficient use of your time!

Not Your Typical College Fair

The CTCL is different from most other college fairs you’ve attended, primarily because the introductory presentation (held in the first 30 minutes of the 2-hour event). It truly sets the stage for the whole event.  Be sure to be on time for the introductory remarks!  Then, you can visit the tables of individual schools, like at the typical college fair.

You can come prepared with mailing labels with your name, address, email and year of graduation to slap on all those inquiry cards.  You’ll receive a nice bag to hold brochures and a CTCL pen made of eco-friendly renewable wood product.