Jacksonville National College Fair attracts hundreds of students

Hundreds of students attended the annual Jacksonville National College Fair Saturday.

The event was held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. The one-stop shop gave students an opportunity to get information about dozens of colleges and universities to find the one that fits them best.

More than 170 colleges and universities from across the country were represented. Local schools also participated in the fair, including Jacksonville University, the University of North Florida, Edward Waters College and Florida State College of Jacksonville.

“It is very important to offer a variety,” Bernadette Hardemanstrong, co-chair of the college fair, said. “College is not a one-size-fits-all approach.”

Jada Lockett, a junior at Douglas Anderson, attended the fair in hopes of finding the best school for her.

“I’m expecting to find a college and find the right one,” Lockett said.

Her two older siblings attended the event in past years. She said it helped them make a decision.

“I feel like you have to have a plan,” Lockett said.

Hardemanstrong said the fair is extremely important for Jacksonville’s youth.

“It gives students an opportunity, number one, to start thinking about the college process and it gives them one space where they can come for all of the information that they need to help them in navigating a process that, for some, can be very confusing and very overwhelming,” Hardemanstrong said.

Cox Media Group