Eastchester Hosts College Fair

The Eastchester High School gymnasium was buzzing on Wednesday night, but the gathered crowds weren’t there to cheer on the Eagles’ volleyball teams as they take the court for the Section 1 playoffs.

Instead, they were there to explore the college process. 

EHS opened its doors to college recruiters—as well as high schoolers from Eastchester, Tuckahoe and Pelham—for a dynamic college fair for students weighing their post-high school options. Representatives from 81 colleges and universities were on hand to meet with students, parents and family members, sharing information about their respective institutions and fielding questions from curious youngsters hoping to gain more insight into what schools might provide optimal chances for education and growth.

The joint College Fair has been a popular event for over a decade, noted Eastchester High School Guidance Chair Heather Reilly, as it provides students and their families more face-time with recruiters than they might otherwise get at larger college expos.

“There are other college fairs in our area, at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, and events in Rockland, but they’re very large fairs, and some of our families were feeling a bit overwhelmed by the number of attendees,” said Reilly. “We’ve worked closely with Tuckahoe and Pelham on many other projects, and this was a great opportunity for us to collaborate. We wanted to provide a smaller event, where our students didn’t feel overwhelmed, but we didn’t think that any one of our schools, individually, was big enough to attract a high number of college reps.”

Reilly explained that students and their families came into Wednesday's event with packet filled potential questions for the representatives, although she noted that those questions were by no means a hard-and-fast script for the college fair, as students were also encouraged to ask more questions specific to their own interests and goals. 

“We provided some sample questions to the students in advance, but we don’t want anyone to feel limited by those questions,” she said. “As you’re walking around, you’re not only asking your own questions, you’re hearing questions that are being asked by other students and families, and the hope is that it will expand your own exploration process as you move on.”

That communal aspect of the event can be a vital part of students taking more ownership of their own college process, Reilly added.

“Everyone comes to a college fair for a different reason, but no matter what brings you there, you’re making connections,” she said. “You learn, you gain more information about these colleges and you get to have an evening where you’re connecting with other people at the same stage as you are at, and that can be a helpful experience.”

And while Wednesday's College Fair was a rousing success, Reilly was quick to point out that it isn't the only chance for Eastchester students to meet with college representatives on the secondary campus, as EHS welcomes recruiters throughout the year.

“There were people who weren’t able to make it to the College Fair, but that’s fine because it’s not the only opportunity we provide,” she said. “Over 90 colleges visit us during school days each fall, and that is a great way to learn more about a school in an even more intimate setting than the college fair.” 

 A detailed calendar listing college visits can be found on the EHS Guidance and Counseling page HERE.