Eastern Idaho’s largest college admissions fair tonight in IF

On Wednesday night in Idaho Falls, one local high school is presenting a big opportunity for eastern Idaho students thinking about college.

Dozens and dozens of universities are represented at the Southeastern Idaho College Fair. It begins at 5 p.m. and goes until 8 p.m. on Wednesday night, at the Idaho Falls High School south gym.

Admissions reps from colleges as far away as Penn State, and the University of Colorado and as close as the University of Idaho’s Idaho Falls campus are represented.

“Having college reps come to us, it’s super beneficial,” said IFHS senior Jonathon Smart.

For Smart, a gym-full of college reps at his high school means being surrounded by options — a front row seat for his higher ed future.

“If you go to the websites, they can only offer you so much information,” said Smart’s classmate Cade Gardner. “(The admissions reps) know everything there is to know about coming to their college.”

It’s the face-to-face personal touch Smart and Garner appreciate the most. On Wednesday night, more than 50 admissions counselors from schools around the country are at IFHS to recruit tomorrow’s scholars.

“It’s really open to anyone,” said IFHS principal Randy Hurley.

Hurley said the fair isn’t just for his kids. Anyone from anywhere is encouraged to stop by and meet admissions counselors.

“I believe when they come to an event like this they will see, hear, and learn of some things that are really going to be helpful to them,” said Hurley.

Organizers said the fair is one of the largest ever held in eastern Idaho.