How Planning and Partnership Made Portola’s Out-of-State College Fair Its Most Successful Yet

Dania Yamani

This year’s out-of-state college fair was planned through careful collaboration between Portola’s college and career department and PTSA to allow students to explore various colleges. “We created some questions that we can have students ask the colleges that come, and the colleges participate by stamping on the little card,” college and career coordinator Monica Yang said. “The more stamps they have, the more prizes they can get. That was a huge success.”

What often appears to be a smooth and seamless event, attracting students of all grades with free snacks and merch, is actually the result of extensive planning required to bring Portola High’s out-of-state college fair to life.

Held on April 17, the fourth annual fair was the most popular one yet, bringing together over 180 students and 20 out-of-state colleges from across the nation to expose students to the different college pathways available to them.

“There is an organization called Regional Admissions Counselors of California (RACC), and they consist of the admissions counselors for colleges that are out of state,” college and career coordinator Monica Yang said. “They work closely with me because I give them the dates, we decide how many colleges are going to come, and then they give me a list of colleges. Some of these schools have wonderful scholarships and programs for California students.”

Alongside RACC, the Parent Teacher and Student Association (PTSA) also plays a significant role in organizing the college fair every year. While RACC and Yang coordinate the logistical side of the fair, PTSA works to enhance the student experience by creating incentives for students to attend the college fair, such as through what is known as “passport to college,” a paper that lists out questions for students to ask the college representatives as they visit the different booths.

“PTSA supports by providing the snacks as well as the prizes, which encourages students to fill out the passport to visit as many colleges as possible,” PTSA treasurer Mimi Chen said. “It seemed to help a lot, because it encourages students and gives them the opportunity to go out there and talk to those colleges that maybe they wouldn’t have on their own.”

What started as an opportunity for students to broaden their horizons and explore various colleges has become more than just a school event: it’s a way for students to improve their communication skills and build rapport with their potential future schools, according to junior Alina Samiullah.

“It helps you get a more personalized understanding of different institutions by being able to just ask them face-to-face,” Samiullah said. “It’s good to have the opportunity to learn how to network and express your ideas and your opinions on what you want from a college early on, because it’s an applicable skill throughout your whole college and career life.”

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About the Contributor

Dania Yamani, Staff Writer

Dania Yamani is a staff writer for her first year on the Portola Pilot. When she’s not calculating worst-case scenario grades on Aeries before a test, you can find Dania blasting Taylor Swift and Gracie Abrams or waking up at 4:00 a.m. to catch a Real Madrid game. She can’t wait to learn about journalism and get more involved with the Portola High community!