<p>Thanks to reading about performing and visual art school college fairs in another thread I found one near us and registered my son. He has a body of film and tv work yielding him a nice looking resume with professional experience. Is it appropriate to hand it to college reps at this sort of fair? What about the one his high school is hosting in two weeks?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>When we went to the Performing Arts College Fair in Boston, it did not seem appropriate to hand out HS/R. We printed out a sheet of stickers with her name and address, and another sheet with her name, phone number and email, and we stuck those on the “we’d like more information lists.” What we found is that many of the schools did not have a MT rep there…there was a VP rep, or an acting rep, or something else. So, sometimes the rep did not know anything about the MT program. I don’t think a HS/R would make it back to the school and in the right hands. There are literally hundreds, if not 1000+, students there…it is more for the schools to let you know about their programs, not to find out more about you. </p>
<p>I can’t answer your question about the college reps coming to your school, b/c our school does not host that type of thing.</p>
<p>^^Agree with monkey13-- those fairs are mobbed, they’d have to start a file on your student to keep a resume etc… I just remember hearing the Purchase rep exhaustedly explaining to one student… “the resume only matters in what the experience contributes to your audition.” </p>
<p>I think the one advantage a student may be able to get from those fairs is a chance to make an honest human connection with a rep. And the paper would get in the way of that face to face moment. (Of course, as someone said–often enough the person at the table is from the music dept.) They are really there to sell their schools, D did feel that when she asked good questions about the training, she got a good response.</p>
<p>Along with my kids, I took a few others to this fair, twice. In both cases the other kids were from families where they were the first to be thinking about college and didn’t have much support at home for the application process. Both were very personable and outgoing and I think their enthusiasm showed in their questions. Neither of them had a plan to make contacts–they really didn’t know much of anything before attending the fair. The contacts they made came as a result of their sincere engagement. Both are now in theater programs (one BA and one BFA) and very happy, so I feel good about the push I gave them.</p>
<p>Actually, I don’t think either of my kids made any connections. My son was one to pick up a brochure and wander away! My daughter would chat and she had very specific questions. Two dept chairs spent a lot of time talking with her. I thought they were both wonderful, but my daughter felt like it was too much of a hard sell. But for the kids I brought who knew nothing, it was a great starting point.</p>
<p>no headshots and resumes are necessary – just a place to get more info and ask questions. Have fun!</p>
<p>from post #3 “the resume only matters in what the experience contributes to your audition.”</p>
<p>from post #5 “no headshots and resumes are necessary – just a place to get more info and ask questions. Have fun!”</p>
<p>Great advice! I cannot speak for other college programs, but I know that we do not even accept headshots and resumes when students come to open houses and visitation days on campus prior to the audition. We collect headshots resumes when students audition for us, and we view them within the context of the audition, interview, transcript, essay, and letter of recommendation. Collecting then ahead of time at a college fair or on-campus visitation would not be of benefit to the student or to us.</p>
<p>Take the college fair to be an opportunity to gather information… both printed and through asking questions. </p>
<p>:)</p>