The process of researching colleges, understanding your choices, completing applications, and choosing the best school for you, can be really overwhelming. On Sunday, February 24th, 40 students from the Museum’s Upward Bound Math & Science Program, ranging from 9th to 12th grade, had to chance to take some of those first steps with their friends, Upward Bound staff mentors, and even the Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Alberto Carvalho. They attended the National College Fair at the DoubleTree Hilton Convention Center, sponsored by the National Association of College Admission Counseling and the School Board of Miami-Dade County.

The first person to greet them at the entrance was Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools Alberto Carvalho and School Board Chair Perla Tabares-Hantman. The students introduced themselves, and Superintendent Carvalho asked them which high schools they represented and congratulated them on their accomplishments in the Upward Bound Program. Then the students had a lot of ground to cover at the Fair. Over 200 colleges from all over the country were present, and students were able to talk to lots of college/university representatives and receive all the admissions information they needed. Students also attended workshops on scholarships and financial aid, college admissions, college prep, SAT/ACT Exam information, and more.

Now there are some informed choices to be made!

From left to right: Oscar, Alex, School Board Chair Perla Tabares-Hantman, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, Jose, Raymond, Omar, Elizabeth, Claudia