One of the best ways for high school students to get an early start on college planning is to attend a college fair. These events let students meet admissions staff, ask questions, pick up literature, and get a feel for what different campuses offer. Below is a curated list of upcoming college fairs in Northern Virginia, specifically in Fairfax County (FCPS), Arlington (APS), and Prince William County (PWCS).
| School District | Event | Date | Time | Location | Notes / Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| APS | Beyond APS: Career & College Fair | October 7, 2025 | 6:00–8:00 pm | Thomas Jefferson Community Center, Arlington (Arlington Public Schools) | Over 130 colleges, universities, trade schools, and community organizations attend. Students are encouraged to register via StriveScan for QR-based information sharing. (Arlington Public Schools) |
| FCPS | FCPS / GMU 50th Annual College Fair | October 19, 2025 | 4:00–6:00 pm | EagleBank Arena, George Mason University (fcps.edu) | One of the largest fairs in the region, with ~200 colleges, plus U.S. Service Academies represented. (fcps.edu) |
| PWCS | Western College Fair | October 6, 2025 | 6:00–8:00 pm | Unity Reed High School, Manassas (Prince William County Public Schools) | First of two countywide fairs. (Prince William County Public Schools) |
| PWCS | Eastern College Fair | October 15, 2025 | 6:00–8:00 pm | Potomac High School, Dumfries (Prince William County Public Schools) | Second in the series; open to families throughout PWCS. (Prince William County Public Schools) |
🧭 Tips for Students & Parents on Maximizing College Fairs
Attending a college fair is more than just walking the aisles and picking up brochures. Here are strategic tips to make the most of your time:
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Pre-register (if possible): Many fairs use StriveScan or similar tools to let colleges scan your barcode and request more info digitally. For example, APS encourages students to register so they can generate a barcode for scanning. Arlington Public Schools
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Do your research ahead of time:
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Narrow down 5–10 “target” colleges you definitely want to visit.
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Look up their admissions criteria, majors, financial aid options, and campus culture before the fair.
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Prepare a short “pitch” — who you are, your interests, what you want to ask.
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Ask good questions: Avoid questions with easily found answers. Try asking things like:
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“What makes first-year students successful at your campus?”
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“Which scholarships are most competitive or underutilized?”
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“How accessible are internships, and do many students secure them before graduation?”
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“If I change majors, how easy is it to switch or take prerequisite courses?”
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Bring essentials:
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Notebook or a notes app on your phone
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Copies of your résumé or activity sheet
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Pen(s)
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A tote bag for handouts
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Comfortable shoes
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Follow up:
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After the fair, send a short thank-you or inquiry email to reps you connected with
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Keep the scanned contacts in a spreadsheet (school name + name of rep + notes)
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Reflect on what you learned, and cross-check with college websites for updates
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🔔 Why These Fairs Matter (Especially for Your Students)
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Early exposure — Students often don’t realize how many college options exist. A fair opens their eyes to schools they may never have considered.
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Personal connections — Talking face-to-face helps you stand out beyond the Common App or a web search.
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Clarification & direction — You’ll get firsthand insight into programs, financial aid, and campus life that might impact your “fit” decision.
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Motivation & planning — Seeing real colleges and meeting real reps can help motivate your student to commit to timeline milestones (test prep, essays, campus visits).