Sonoma County College and Career-Ready Fair

The high school graduating class of 2012 has already applied to college for next year. After November 30, many universities will not accept applications for Fall 2012. Does this seem early? I am still baffled by the early admission date, even though I attended college and worked as a college admissions representative… and helped start the Sonoma County College Fair.

I was even more surprised by the November 30 deadline when I was a high school senior and I missed the deadline.

My personal experience helps explain my dedication to the Sonoma County College Fair. My senior year, our school did not have a college counselor. Despite having approximately  2500 students, our school also cancelled AP Government. My friends did not discuss college or college applications. If my parents talked about the application deadline, I missed the conversation. Perhaps my teachers knew, but assumed someone else had told me.

2011 Sonoma County College Fair Photo Gallery

I did not want other students to experience something similar, and I could see this happening in Sonoma County when I would visit for work.  (I have been called the Sonoma County College Fair founder, though others deserve more credit for creating and maintaining a successful ongoing event.) There was a Spring College Fair during the day that some students attended, but many of those students would have learned about college anyway. Many of the larger high schools had eliminated their college counselor.

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First generation college students do not learn about college without help.

3 Responses to “Sonoma County College and Career-Ready Fair”

  1. Marla Jeffrey says:

    This is a great event that allows a wide range of educational institutions to come to the students – so it is an efficient and terrific way for prospective students and their families to learn more about the multitude of opportunities available. This fair is free and open to the entire community. The number of colleges represented continues to increase – it seemed to double from just 2010 to 2011.

    • bryan farley says:

      Thanks Marla,

      Even though I had faith that this college fair would work, I am still impressed to see it growing under Chris Vetrano's leadership. The entire Sonoma County community has been supportive!

      It started with a need, then an idea, then a whole lot of work and then a smaller college fair. The community continues to build it. In a few year, I bet it will get better and better.

      Is there something more that you would like to see?

  2. bryan farley says:

    The 2012 Sonoma County College Fair will be at Windsor High School on Tuesday, Sept 11.