LA PLATA, Md.—More than 3,000 parents, students and community members headed to North Point High School on Sept. 18, to meet with college representatives at the 16th annual Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) College Fair.
The CCPS College Fair provided high school juniors and seniors a chance to speak with representatives from more than 141 participating colleges, universities and branches of the military. Colleges provide information about tuition, scholarship opportunities and academic programs. The fair is split into two sessions—a day session for students from the six high schools, and an evening session for students, parents and the community. The morning session was for students only, and more than 1,900 students attended. The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) provided two evening financial aid workshops, with Christian Zimmerman, director of financial aid for CSM, conducting the workshops.
Students were given 40 minutes to visit booths, and college representatives asked students to fill out contact cards to receive further information. La Plata High School student Amber Strickland came prepared with her top four schools written in a notebook along with questions for the colleges to answer. Strickland and two La Plata friends, Julianna Dawson and Blake Ross, said they appreciated the collegiate exposure and the multiple opportunities and choices.
The La Plata students already know the career paths they want to pursue. Dawson will be a biochemistry premed student; Ross will study economics; Strickland will be a political science major. "The fair is great for people into sports because you can ask the different colleges all of your questions and don't have to try and find the information on their website," said Dawson.
"The College Fair has exposed me to a lot of schools and relieves a lot of stress," Strickland said.
The school system is also hosting additional financial aid nights at each of the county's six high schools. Sessions are open to the public.
The schedule is
-- Henry E. Lackey High School, Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m.;
-- La Plata High School, Nov. 12, 6 p.m.;
-- Maurice J. McDonough High School, Nov. 13, 6:30 p.m.;
-- North Point High School, Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m.;
-- Thomas Stone High School, Dec. 21, 6 p.m.; and
-- Westlake High School, Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m.
For more information about a school's financial aid night, contact college and career advisor at the school.
Source: Charles County Public Schools