History Purpose Opportunities. Colleges and Universities Military and Academies. Timeline Facilities Q&A

Transcription

1 September 27, 2014

2 History Purpose Opportunities Colleges and Universities Military and Academies Timeline Facilities Q&A

3 Pre-2000 A few military institutions and BGSU (BBS-host school) institution attended, 9 others sent materials Four-hour fair held in a cramped dorm lobby, but feedback from the schools was fantastic! Continued growth; Held in decommissioned cafeteria Moved into Student Union Ballroom

4 Materials Only Attending Reps Targeting 100 participants in 2015!

5 Illustrating options 1,200 delegates from across Ohio have widely different opportunities to learn about their options Over 90% of delegates in 2012 reported attending the fair and talking to at least 5 schools! Institutions are purposely NOT alphabetized we want delegates to walk around instead of heading right to the option they ve already considered! Options are very wide: military, ROTC, 2-year schools, 4-year schools, highly-competitive institutions

6 Education David Dobos, former Buckeye Boys State delegate and MIT interviewer, has spoken after the fair since 2007 His presentation covers: ú Assembling an application portfolio ú Performing on entrance exams ú Navigating financial aid Every year, delegates attend his program during their free time!

7 Albion College Glenville State College Rutgers University Allegheny College Heidelberg College Shawnee State University Antioch College Hiram College Taylor University Ashland University Huntington University University of Akron Baldwin-Wallace College Kent State University University of Alabama Ball State University Kenyon College University of Cincinnati Bluffton University Kettering University University of Dayton Bowling Green State University Lake Erie College University of Evansville Butler University Lourdes College University of Findlay Capital University Malone College University of Indianapolis Case Western Reserve University Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of Iowa Cedarville College Miami University University of Kansas Central Michigan University Michigan State University University of Toledo Clarion University of Pennsylvania Mount Union University Vanderbilt University College of Mount St. Joseph Notre Dame College of Ohio Wabash College College of Wooster Oakland University West Liberty State College Denison University Ohio Dominican College West Virginia State University DePauw University Ohio Northern University West Virginia University Duquesne University Ohio State University Wilmington College Eastern Michigan University Ohio University Wittenberg University Eastern Michigan University - Aviation Ohio Wesleyan Wright State University Fairmont State College Otterbein College Xavier University Ferris State University Pennsylvania State University Youngstown State University Schools from 12 states represented in 2014!

8 Branches Army Marines Navy Air Force Coast Guard Academies West Point Naval Academy Merchant Marine National Guard Army ROTC (six programs) Army Air Force Air Force Navy

9 Jan: 1st invitation sent to approx. 260 institutions to established contacts; USPS to 100 others Immediate follow-up as responses arrive Feb: 2nd invitation to nonresponding schools

10 Apr: Detailed update to participating schools Last chance invitation typically gain 6-8 schools! May (last week of month): Reminder s to all contacts with parking permits for campus

11 Move to Student Union Ballroom allowed: Standard 8-foot tables an expectation from schools Greater capacity and room for individual conversation Flexibility to add more institutions in coming years

12 Build it, and they will come Colleges and Military know the quality of Boys State delegates and are anxious to meet them All institutions are surveyed at the end of the program, and maturity/professionalism of the delegates always tops the comments Reps move often contacts are very fluid This is a relationship program reps switch schools and contact BBS to involve their new employer! Maintaining contact is a year-round requirement LinkedIn is a great means to keep in touch

13 It is okay to be unconventional Schools are used to alphabetized, assigned tables Big schools like that, as students arrive looking for the well-known schools Smaller schools appreciate pick-your-own spot and meeting students that may have otherwise walked by This is part of the Boys State program Schools may not initially be receptive to having competitors on campus, but The college fair sets the environment, and the host school maintains a definite home court advantage

14 Timing is important Afternoon programs allow same-day travel avoiding hotel stays that impact budgets Four hours is too long! We ve found a sweet spot at 2.5 hours, keeping the reps busy the full time. Set the date for next year during this year s program we have schools that set freshman orientation around the BBS college fair dates Ask for Boys State recognition / scholarships Most schools have money to give away in dedicated scholarships ask the admissions contacts about setting up programs for Boys State alumni

15 The program can generate revenue The Ohio program has been free-of-charge since its inception, but surveys show that almost all schools are willing to pay $25-$50 to participate BBS is likely to charge in 2015 as a means to offset the rental expense for the ballroom, which will make the program self-sustaining

16 For copies of materials, please Gerald White: Todd Gerber: