Top 10 Reasons to attend the Jacksonville National College Fair

By Michael Corby
FCCJ Media Relations Coordinator
Oct. 7, 2007

The Fair is coming to town! That’s the Jacksonville National College Fair, an annual event (sponsored by the National Association for College Admission Counseling) that makes it easy for prospective college students and their parents to meet face-to-face with representatives from colleges and universities from far and near.

“It’s fact that if you’re going to have a career after high school, you’re going to need some post-secondary training or education,” said Nan Worsowicz, local chairperson of the Jacksonville National College Fair Committee and district level counselor for Duval County Public Schools.

“That’s the first reason the Jacksonville College Fair is a great way to begin or add to your college search,” added Kevin Cotton, director of recruitment at Florida Community College at Jacksonville. “Whether your career goal is to be rich or a search for fulfillment, you need to increase your wealth potential beyond what can be achieved with just a high-school diploma.” He and Worsowicz recently compiled their Top 10 Reasons to attend the College Fair. Here are more:

2. The number of different colleges and universities represented at the College Fair this year. “We’re nearly up to 150!” enthusiastically proclaims Worsowicz.

3. The diversity of schools represented. “We have the most popular local and regional choices signed up, more than 30 Florida schools and nearly 20 from Georgia,” said Cotton. “Armed forces academies from all over the country. A college from Rome, Georgia, (Shorter College) and one from Rome, Italy (John Cabot University). Schools from Australia, Lebanon, the United Kingdom. Historically Black colleges, arts schools, private, public, large and small, a full range of choices — they’re all coming to Jacksonville!” he said.

4. Travel considerations. We repeat, they’re all coming to Jacksonville. You visit face-to-face with college representatives without the expense or time involved in traveling.

5. Seminars on important issues. According to Worsowicz, the Bright Futures is one of the most popular — for students and parents interested in free money for college! Other sessions on financial aid, college planning, FACTS.org, Historically Black schools, admissions essays, scholarships and using the Web are offered multiple times. Sessions on federal financial aid, college planning and scholarship tips are offered in Spanish.

6. Parents and students can get information not found in catalogs or on Web sites. (Hint: do your research before you go. Visit National Association for College Admission Counseling Web site. You’ll find FAQs and tips for making the most of your visit.)

7. It’s an opportunity for younger students (as young as junior high) and their parents to get a start in college planning. As college gets more expensive, it may seem out of reach. “Students and parents need to know they have options,” Worsowicz said.

8. Increasing your wealth potential adds to the economic health of the community. You may not care about that now but you will and should. Trust us.

9. More than 5,000 of your closest friends will be there.

10. It’s free. (Parking is $5 at the Prime Osborn.)

The Jacksonville National College Fair, October 13, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., at the Prime Osborn III Convention Center. For more information call Florida Community College at 904.646.2300 or visit the Florida Community College at Jacksonville Web site.

Workshops at the Fair

(an asterisk * denotes session presented in Spanish)

Bright Futures Scholarship Program	9, 10, 11 a.m.; noon
Federal Financial Aid	9, 10, 11 a.m.; noon*
Nuts and Bolts of College Planning	10, 11 a.m.*; noon
FACTS.org — Online Academic Advising/MAJORS	9, 10, 11 a.m.; noon
Writing The College Admissions Essay	10, 11 a.m.; noon
Historically Black Colleges and Universities	9, 10 a.m.
Scholarship Tips	10*, 11 a.m.; noon
Get With the Times and Use the Web	11 a.m. and noon