As college approaches for sophomore Will Matthews, thinking about when and where he should start looking.

According to Matthews, while a college fair held at the Minneapolis Convention Center may benefit some, not all students may be able to attend.

“(A college fair with) a wide variety (of colleges) would be more easier and more helpful, but because it’s not at school less people will go,” Matthews said.

Counselor Laura King said she hopes students realize the importance and advantage of going to college fairs, even if they may seem like an inconvenience.

“It’s great to make a connection with these college representatives,” King said. “Many times they also serve as part of the admission committee, so if the students can make an impression on this person and learn directly from these college representatives’ information,  that’s a really good use of their time.”

Freshman Lucy Zumbrunnen said college has been on her mind for a while and although college is a few years out for her, a national college fair could be helpful.

“I would be able to see what colleges I’d like to go to and learn a little bit more about how I should plan my future out (at the Minnesota National College Fair),” said Zumbrunnen.

According to the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), there will be upwards of 400 colleges at the Minnesota National College Fair.

For students participating in the Non-Traditional Academy (NTA) this year, there will be an extra opportunity to take a bus from the high school to the National College Fair and spend some time there.

King said only NTA students can take the bus, because the grant that is paying for the bus is for getting NTA students exposed to colleges.

“Part of (NTA’s) curriculum is to be really intentional about getting students exposed to college. A lot of the student body in the NTA program are first generation college students,” King said. “We are very intentional about getting those students on college campuses and in front of college admissions people.”

The Minnesota National College Fair will be on Sept. 27 and 28 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.