Rio Scarcelli, News Editor

     Sophomores, juniors and seniors had the opportunity to go down to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh for the College Fair.

   On Feb. 7 and Feb. 8, over 225 colleges in different states and fields came together in Pittsburgh as a stop on their national tour.  In association with the NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling), students can utilize the college fair to make decisions for their futures.

    “The college fair is a unique experience for people to expand upon their future interests,” head of Slippery Rock Admissions Michael May said. “Whether they want to go to a school within their state or a military institute abroad, there is something for everyone to experience.”

    May believes that the College Fair is best for those trying to get more information on a potential major or, for those who are less sure, be able to scope in order to see what opportunities may be ahead of them for their interests.  

    “Many people may come to the College Fair prepared to head one direction to one college and walk out having an entirely different idea as to what they want to do,” May explains.  “Our job is to give people as much insight as possible to achieve this.”

    For students at Penn-Trafford, over 100 sophomores, juniors and seniors went to the College Fair between the two given days, according to the attendance for that day. The students were given an excused absence to go through rows of college booths to narrow down their respective choices for their future.  

    “It’s a national college fair that breaks up potential majors, amount of years and different programs,” said guidance counselor Hunter Owen. “They have sessions where they talk about financial aid and scholarships as well.”

    As the College Fair was located in Pittsburgh, a more accessible area for P-T, students from many different areas attended, creating for a busy and large scale element for the event.  

    “The one con to the situation would be that the size of the convention creates for too little time to get to explore your college of interest,” Owen stated.  “There are smaller conventions such as those held by Westmoreland Community College giving more local options.”

    Some of the best experiences students had were those that they did not expect.  Junior Samantha Carr said, “I found the best school possible that I hadn’t known existed prior to going to the College Fair.”

    Regardless of having gone to the College Fair, there are many ways students can prepare for their future, and those efforts can help down the line.