The turnout was great as Marietta College hosted the 10th annual Mid-Ohio Valley College Night Monday evening, said Marietta College admission counselor and event organizer Josh Thrash.
"It went really well. A good number for us is between 250 and 350," Thrash said.
Just under 250 students from area high schools perused the booths and met with representatives from 84 two- and four-year colleges and universities, military organizations, and trade and technical schools that were on hand at Marietta College's Dyson Baudo Recreation Center.
Article Photos
JASMINE ROGERS The Marietta Times
Waterford High School Senior Bre Grahame, right, and Waterford Junior Jenna Stephan, speak with a representative of Alderson-Broaddus College in Marietta College’s Dyson Baudo Recreation Center Monday night.
"It's time for me to start thinking about colleges," said Jenna Stephan, a junior at Waterford High School.
Though Stephan does not need to start the application process for nearly a year, she already has some idea of what she is looking for in a college.
"I'm looking for schools with a background, where there is a bunch of opportunity to volunteer," said Stephan.
Fact Box
At a glance
Representatives from 84 colleges, universities, military organizations, and trade schools.
Organizations on hand represented a total of 10 states
Nearly 250 students from 16 Ohio and West Virginia counties attended.
For some students, a college with a good sporting program is high on the wish list.
"I want to talk to Fairmont State and Ohio University about football," said Marietta High School senior Eddie Kimbrough.
Kimbrough and friend Jimmy Dye, also a senior at Marietta High School were biding their time until the lines of interested students subsided.
"We have not gotten to talk to them yet. The are so many kids in line," said Kimbrough.
For Dye, the size of the school is negotiable as long as it offers his intended major, sports journalism.
"Part of me wants to go to a big school because I'm from small school and part of me whats to stick with a small school," said Dye.
Finding a school that offered a specific major was a concern for many students.
Waterford High School senior Bre Grahame is a college night veteran.
"I came last year because we were required to by our English teacher, but I figured this year it would be a good idea to come and get more information,"
Grahame is looking for a school that offers a special education major, and she has already got the ball rolling on the college application process.
"I actually applied to my first one today," said Grahame, who applied to Alderson-Broaddus College when representatives visited her high school classroom.
Schools and organizations from ten states were represented at Monday's event, giving students a wide sampling of choices. For the colleges and other organizations, the event was a chance to go a step farther than simply mailing a pamphlet or e-mail.
"It's always nice to come out here and get to meet with these students face to face," said Carrie Thrash, assistant director of admissions at Washington State Community College.
Monday night's event was co-sponsored by Marietta College and The Marietta Times.
