Excitedly flitting from booth to booth to engage with college admissions representatives, juniors in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program attended the Texas IB Schools (TIBS) 2025 College Fair on Thursday, April 3. The event was curated specifically for IB students across the state, with attending universities highlighting the unique benefits and importance of the IB program in higher-level studies.
“I found the event incredibly helpful in planning for my future, as it gave me a clearer understanding of the steps I need to take [going forward],” Samhita Nagarakanti ‘26 said. “The lectures clarified the admissions process, especially regarding essay writing, scholarships, and IB requirements, and talking to the college representatives gave me some insight on [what] type of college would benefit me and my future.”
Hosted at the Hurst Conference Center on the outskirts of Dallas, the event allowed students free-reign to explore their universities of interest. At each college’s table, an admissions representative answered students’ questions, ranging from major-specific information to social life queries. Anticipating the sheer number of eager students and their abundance of questions, TIBS provided each attendee with a tailored barcode which universities could scan to directly offer further information to that student.
“I really enjoyed the experience,” Emma Rincon ‘26 said. “I got to talk to many colleges and ask them more about the programs their colleges offer and what is unique about them. [It was] also a great opportunity to bond with my junior IB community as we don’t do that often.”
While each of the 98 universities represented occupied the main conference room and tended to their tables, schools including Texas A&M and UT Austin held tailored admissions information sessions to thoroughly explain the nuances of the application process. Prestigious universities such as Princeton and Cornell were also present, hosting lectures that demystified college admissions and went in-depth into meaningful essay-writing.
“I really enjoyed the lectures given by the admissions officers from Princeton and Cornell especially [because] they provided valuable insights into what top universities are looking for,” Nagarakanti said. “I also appreciated their enthusiasm and willingness to answer questions, which helped me clarify any doubts I had in the process.”
Each attending university aimed to break down the preconceived notions of college admissions being a daunting and tedious process, harping on utilizing the application as a medium to express one’s passions and thinking-styles rather than approaching it like a prescribed checklist. Each representative emphasized the niche facets of their respective university, with many going beyond academics to advertise their school to students.
“I learned how to incorporate IB when applying to colleges, and why colleges like seeing IB students apply to their colleges,” Rincon said. “I also learned that universities outside of the US don’t really care about sob stories, but [they do care] about if you’re passionate about your studying, and the why [behind it].”
As a college fair catered specifically for IB students, the event planners ensured to invite a wide range of international universities. There were a total of 22 in attendance, allowing students to garner unique exposure to foreign studies and learning opportunities that vastly differ from what many of them are accustomed to. Each university representative was also well-informed on the role of IB in the admissions process, providing students with personalized insight into their potential academic pathways in college.
“The IB program is difficult, but it’s helping me build my study habits and learn how to overcome challenges,” Rincon said. “Seeing all the international colleges at the career fair really inspired me to keep toughing it out, and that it will all be worth it in college.”
The college fair allowed IB students a glimpse into college life, while preparing them for the upcoming admissions cycle. To document their final takeaways from the event, students collected informative packets distributed by universities that outlined their values and what they searched for in the application process.
“It was very worth it, [since] we got to talk to over 100 colleges and we could personally connect with them and learn things we wouldn’t learn just from their website,” Rincon said. “I also really liked how it was catered to IB students and it was nice to see that there are other IB students than just Westwood [students]. I would [definitely] suggest just for more juniors to attend because I believe it [is] a wonderful experience to have.”
