<p>D’s school issues monthly newsletters with a list of college reps visiting campus. D sees one of her top choices on the list (top LAC) and goes to the “career office” to sign up. D is later told that since “nobody is interested in the presentation”, the office called the rep and told not to come! D is given the rep’s name and phone number to contact her directly. Amazing… :)</p>
<p>many reps show up anyway and talk to the counselors is no kids are interested</p>
<p>That’s not uncommon. Being she was given the name and number of the rep, I would call them. They may come out anyway. On the other hand, they may judge her interest and schedule a personal time on their way to say school “B” in a week or two. Can’t hurt to call them. </p>
<p>My daughter was interested in a school that normally came to visit at least once a year. They usually combined their visit with other schools. In our town, it is quite common to arrange this visits at the local community college. This way the community college gets their chance at the local kids as well as the visiting schools. This also allows all 3 of our city high schools and 3-4 more within a 50 mile radius to have students come visit without the reps wasting a lot of time seeing 1-2 kids here or there. The school my daughter was interested in chose not to come her senior year. She got their number and called them. After a 15 minute chat about grades, ranking, act/sat, EC, etc… they showed an interest and offered to pay to fly her out to the school for a weekend. There are definitely options.</p>
<p>Throughout the fall, D’s school has “mini fairs” where about 7 or 8 schools set up tables in the lobby & the girls can get info and introduce themselves at lunch. What the girls really appreciate are the 40 or so “special sessions” where a long block of time is devoted each day to one of the more popular/elite schools. Seniors only. The girls must sign up in advance and it is assumed that they are planning to apply – these sessions have limited seating. Usually the rep from these colleges will hit another school that day. I bet the school rep you are interested in will be in town at another school or group presentation somewhere nearby. </p>
<p>If D calls the rep, I can’t imagine him not arranging a meeting just for her, even if it means having you drive her to a coffee shop or the lobby of his hotel. If a rep is taking the time to visit your school, he must be interested in attracting applicants. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone! I was very surprised that nobody at the school except my D showed up for this top-10 LAC dog and pony show. The kids there are usually very savvy when it comes to raitings and lists, and presentations from top schools are typically well-attended.</p>
<p>DS attended a college rep visit at his school and he was the only one present. The upshot: he spent an hour one-on-one with the Director of Admissions for the school (not a regional rep) who now knows how interested my S is in their school – and this is a school that loves demonstrated interest. His school never sends away the reps – as another poster mentioned, it’s also a great opportunity for the rep to learn more about the school, the GC to learn about the school (esp. if it’s a school that’s not among the “usual suspects” for that HS), and to find ways to attract more kids to next year’s presentation, etc.</p>
<p>True story: An Ivy rep showed up at our school a year ago. Kids were too busy or too intimidated. All but one. He showed up, charmed the rep, applied and was accepted. This has become a legend at our school and the attendance has gone up considerably at the ivy and lac sessions.</p>