By Andrew Chang ’26

Mercersburg Academy will host its second annual College Fair on Thursday, October 16, at 7 p.m. in the Edwards Room of Keil Hall. The event is open to all high school students in the surrounding area. There will be nearly twice as many colleges and universities as last year, with the total number of visiting schools exceeding 50. The selection is carefully curated to include local, regional, and nationally recognized institutions, such as Syracuse University, University of Pittsburgh, and American University. See the full list of schools. 

“Mercersburg Academy is working hard to engage with the community to provide support, and this is an initiative we decided would be good for the students in this area,” shares Vicki Thompson, director of college counseling at Mercersburg Academy. The fall college fair, she explained, was scheduled specifically during this time to “provide access for our students at Mercersburg Academy and for students who may not have the opportunity to attend such an event.”

Thompson highlights that the advantages extend far beyond simply meeting visiting schools. She emphasized that the fair can also be valuable for younger students. “The opportunity to interact with representatives from different colleges and universities is important in a space that they’re familiar with and comfortable in,” she said. “We’re providing practice for when it becomes much more real to younger students and an opportunity for our 11th graders and seniors to get more information about the places to which they are considering applying.”

Students in the Classes of 2026 and 2027, in particular, stand to gain from the event. “Seniors who are applying to some of the schools that are coming get another touch point for them to ask their questions of someone from the college about the application or their program,” and the chance to “demonstrate an interest in the school,” Thompson noted.

Ultimately, Thompson describes the experience as “a no-stress way to dip your toe in the water of a college search,” ensuring every student has a meaningful and accessible step into the world of higher education.

Guests can park in the lot on Constitution Avenue, behind Traylor Hall, or in the lot beside the Burgin Center for the Arts, located off Drury Lane. See campus map. 

For questions, contact collegecounseling@mercersburg.edu.