Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools seniors spent yesterday morning at the Benton Convention Center for the 2024 Carolinas Association of College Registrars and Admissions Offices College Fair.
The CACRAO College Fair is an annual congregation of dozens of college and university representatives who are available to speak with students about attending their institutions. While the evening event has been a longstanding informational opportunity, last year was the first year when seniors got to visit during the school day, and this extra chance to learn about post-secondary opportunities continued on Thursday.
89 schools, mostly in North Carolina but including representatives from all over the country, had booths at the fair, and while several had to bow out due to Hurricane Helene, students still had a wide variety of options to browse. They were able to have conversations with recruiters about degree pathways, campus culture, admissions requirements, and signing up for financial aid. Crosby Scholars was also present to offer advice on scholarship applications and college essays.
Exposure to colleges is a major factor in getting young people thinking about their options for after high school graduation. The more of these conversations they get to have, the more likely they are to take their post-secondary education seriously. Lead Counselor Kenya Rocker hopes that Thursday will be an inspiring day for any students who are on the fence about pursuing a degree and just need an extra push to invest in themselves.
“For many of these kids, making this connection will encourage them to follow through and take the next steps towards securing their futures,” Rocker said.
Application due dates vary but are coming up fast, so seniors are encouraged to speak with their counselors as soon as possible about their plans for after graduation. More information is available online at https://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/page/graduating-seniors-information.