Right before spring break, Noble Schools hosted their 16th annual Junior College Fair. Hundreds of our juniors were bused in to meet with college admissions officers and alumni from dozens of colleges across the country at McCormick Place. Every year, this event is much anticipated by students and staff because it provides the opportunity to get to know colleges better and network with admissions officers. This year felt even more special, not only because of the move to a new, bigger venue, but because it felt like a celebration of our 25-year commitment to college access.
Check out some of the highlights below:
“I love the fact that there’s so many {colleges} here and they all have something different to offer. I’m glad that I can be a part of this, and I can’t wait to start my college journey.”
– Antonia Noland, Johnson College Prep
“A lot of students don’t get an opportunity like this. Being a junior and going into your senior year not knowing what college you want to go to is very hard. Doing stuff like this makes it 10 times easier.”
– Ja’Kobe Igess, Rowe-Clark Math & Science Academy
“I’ve been at Noble for 14 years, so I’ve been to this a few times. Every time I come, I get excited because, especially with our Black and Brown children, having that option of college available to them is just inspiring… I’m super excited that our kids have that chance to see all of these schools in one place and just have time to research and prepare.”
– Donier Tyler, assistant dean of students, DRW College Prep
“All the stands I’ve been to have been very informative and actually made me want to go to college a lot more.”
– Jahiem Stokes, UIC College Prep
“Colleges give you many opportunities to get informed about programs; same for financial aid. That information has been helpful for me because I don’t come from a wealthy family. My family’s a hardworking family. But we’re trying to aim for {college} for a better career and life.”
– Alexis Millan, Pritzker College Prep
“I’m also a Noble alum, so I know that when I did this my junior year, it showed me that there are so many different colleges, not only in Chicago… I think being here just shows them that they have so many different opportunities in their future that they could really take advantage of.”
– Deasire Brooks, college counselor, Hansberry College Prep
“There are a multitude of students like me who might not be ready for all this college stuff. All of this really helps them out. Having so many options in front of me, it just engages me a lot to look for a right college.”
– Karla López, Golder College Prep
“It’s helping me learn more about where I might want to go to.”
– Ruth Bahena, Chicago Bulls College Prep
‘I’m hoping that students who have not had an opportunity to talk to colleges in the past are able to start thinking about college choices for next year. I hope they start to build those relationships with the college admissions counselors and get the information that they need so that when they come back as seniors, they’re ready and prepared to start applying to schools.”
– Jhonatan Martinez, college counselor, UIC College Prep
“I’ve been able to look at different colleges that I thought I would never want to go to, but now I’m kind of considering it… I was more dead set on going to Spelman, but now I have connections to other places here. I have other opportunities and other choices that I don’t have to dead set myself on just one choice.”
– Theresa Brooks, Hansberry College Prep
“This is giving me more options for college and to see what I want to do and major in.”
– Manaiah Thompson, DRW College Prep
“This is what I love so much about the College Fair: It’s the day that they actually understand all the hard work is coming to fruition… It allows them to see all the things we talk about in class. We try to tell them that these admissions people are real people who will read your essays. They don’t get to typically meet these people. So, when they see their face, it’s more real to {the students}, and they can put a face to the actual assignment.”
– Jazlin Laboy, dean of college, The Noble Academy
“Events like this bring students together so they can have a wonderful option to speak with reps and alumni from those schools.”
– Alexia Brooks, Johnson College Prep
“This is my first time attending a college fair. It’s crazy to think that one of these colleges is the one I’m gonna be attending, and it’s crazy because I see everybody from my elementary school, like growing up and moving forward.”
– Giselle Guzman, The Noble Academy
“I think students need to have this opportunity so they can get their feet out the door and see what’s offered. Unfortunately, not a lot of students are able to have a full day with all these wonderful college reps in one room. It’s super important because our promise and our commitment to parents is college access and education.”
– Dominique Winston, alumni counselor, Johnson College Prep
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