Newton Citizen

COVINGTON — This month, area high school students have the chance to visit with dozens of local, state and regional colleges in one centralized location.

Beginning Sept. 14 and continuing until Nov. 12, representatives from colleges in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, the Carolinas, Tennessee and other mostly regional states will travel throughout Georgia as part of the annual PROBE College Fair. Colleges include small, community colleges, large universities, technical colleges and two-year colleges.

Newton County Fair

When: 5:30–7:30 p.m. Sept. 15

Where: Alcovy High School, 14567 Ga. Highway 36

Participants:

Abraham Baldwin College

Agnes Scott College

University of Alabama

Devry University

Gainesville State College

Georgia Gwinnett College

Kennesaw State University

Macon State College

University of North Carolina

Southern Polytechnic State University

Tuskeegee University

University of Georgia

Valdosta State University

University of West Georgia

Rockdale/South DeKalb Fair

When: 6-9 p.m. Sept. 27

Where: The Mall at Stonecrest, 2929 Turner Hill Road, Lithonia

Participants:

Abraham Baldwin College

Agnes Scott College

University of Alabama

Clemson University

Davidson College

Emory University

Georgia College & State

University

Georgia Southern University

Georgia State University

Georgia Tech

Kennesaw State University

Louisiana State University

University of Mississippi

University of North Carolina

Samford University

Savannah College of Art & Design

University of South Carolina

Troy University

University of Georgia

Vanderbilt University

Virginia Tech

University of West Georgia

Young Harris College

Cost: Free

More Information: www.gaprobe.org

A tour group of at least 70 colleges and universities will stop in Newton County from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at Alcovy High School, which is located at 14567 Ga. Highway 36 in Covington. At least a 100 institutions will be part of the tour that will stop at the Mall at Stonecrest, which is located at 2929 Turner Hill Road in Lithonia, from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 27.

The fair also will visit Walton County's Loganville High School from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29, as well as locations in Morgan, Henry and Gwinnett counties along the tour from September through November.

PROBE's Executive Director Bill Smith said juniors and seniors generally visit the tours, but he recommends any high schoolers attend at least one stop.

"The earlier the students get started, the better when it's time to make decisions," he said.

Their parents also should attend the fairs with them, he said.

Smith said they should expect to spend about an hour at the fair, depending on how many college representatives they want to talk to while there. Ahead of time, they should look at a list of schools and determine which ones they need to talk to and which ones they might get some information from along the way.

He recommends that students take a list of questions with them to the fair to ask college representatives and also pick up information they will have at their particular booths. They can ask questions about the school, the application process and requirements; students also should bring with them paper and pen to take notes.

The Georgia Student Finance Commission also will be present at the fairs with information about the HOPE scholarship and grants and other state programs. Representatives from various branches of the military also are at many of the events.

"It's a great opportunity," Smith said. "Unfortunately a lot of people depend on the Internet, but there is nothing like standing face to face to get what you need."

A complete list of dates and more information about the fair is available at www.gaprobe.org.