PITT USES ON-LINE COLLEGE FAIR TO RECRUIT PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 24 -- To get comprehensive information on colleges, many high school students hop in their car or on a bus to the local college fair. But in this age of technology, the University of Pittsburgh is giving prospective students an on-line alternative.

On Thursday, Feb. 1, Pitt will participate in the National Association for College Admissions Counseling's On-line College Fair. By logging onto www.OnlineCollegeFair.com, students and their families will be able to "meet" with representatives from more than 150 schools via on-line chat rooms. They can talk to current students and admissions counselors, as well as other staff members.

While there is no substitute for face-to-face meetings during traditional college fairs and campus visits, this is an effective way to advertise colleges to students who may not have much knowledge about them.

Ron Jankowski, of Pitt's Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, said, "This forum is another way to reach out to students. The On-line College Fair gets our name out there to students across the country who may not have the opportunity to visit campus because of distance and other circumstances."

Additional On-line College Fair chats are scheduled for March 22 and April 18. The times for all three are noon-3 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. To visit the web site, log onto www.OnlineCollegeFair.com.

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