College fair offers students, parents chance to gather information

COSHOCTON – Olivia Bosson found the Oct. 8, college fair at the Coshocton County Career Center to be a useful tool in her search for a school.

“There were a few here that I knew I wanted to look at and I found some extras that were interesting,” she said. “It was helpful getting their (the recruiters) opinions.”

The college fair was organized by Coshocton C.A.R.E.S. and sponsored by the Coshocton Kiwanis, who provided a grant for the event.

According to Brian Crilow, director/advisor of Coshocton C.A.R.E.S., 60 colleges, universities, technical and trade schools from five different states attended the event with the University of Kentucky traveling the farthest.

“It was a good chance for her (Olivia) to ask questions like how big the campuses and classes are and how long of a walk it is across campus,” said Dan Bosson, Olivia’s father. Her mother, Amy Bosson, also attend the college fair.

Olivia, a senior at Coshocton High School, is undecided on her major, but knows she wants a school with good housing and price she and her family can afford.

“I’m the first kid going to college,” Olivia said.

Another one of the students gathering information on higher education was Jessica McCoun, a junior at Ridgewood High School.

“I want to be a nurse and I’m also looking at sports because I do cross country and track,” she said.

Jessica was accompanied by her mother Shawna McCoun.

“I’m a little overwhelmed, but I think it’s great that they get a chance to talk one on one with a recruiter,” she said.

One of the recruiters at the fair was Coshocton High School graduate Katie – Elizabeth Brown. She graduated from Coshocton in 2007 and in 2011 graduated from Walsh University in North Canton, where she is now an admissions counselor.

She encourages students to make sure they visit the schools they are interested in, that they look into schools of different sizes and start the financial aid process early.

“Being from Coshocton I also want to inform kids from this area and other small towns that you can be comfortable going away to school and that it can give you a whole new perspective on life,” she said.

Two hundred and thirty-two students registered to attend the college fair and were from five different counties and 12 different area high schools. Crilow also said 250 parents accompanied the students for a total attendance of 482.

josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com

Category: Education