Green Country Students Explore College Options At Weekend Event

Class was in session on Sunday afternoon as more than 1,500 area high school students received a lesson on preparing for college.

It's the 27th year for the Tulsa College Connection and more than a 150 colleges and universities turned out for parents and those perspective students to see what they had to offer.

"We are wanting [our daughter] to see what all the options are," Owasso parent Amy Duncan said.

Parents like Duncan want what's best for their kids as they enter the long search for the perfect college experience.

"I'm looking for a program that is going to allow her to excel in the real world and get a job," Duncan said. "And I'm looking for something I can afford and that she's not going to be in debt."

Daughter Zoe Duncan is graduating this year and wants to be a nurse some day.

She says today's college fair opened her eyes to the many opportunities out there, and she even heard about colleges she didn't even know existed.

"I want to meet a lot of new people and have the experience of living not at my parents house and making choices for myself," Zoe said.

Organizers say colleges came from all across the country to showcase their programs. Among those in attendance were representatives from places like Louisiana State University, Purdue University and Seton Hall.

"It's really a win-win situation," said Tara Roper of Tulsa College Connection.

"We have schools from New York and a school from Florida and a couple of schools from Colorado, so it is really a great opportunity for them to reach a lot farther out to find out a little bit more about schools," Roper said.

Admissions counselors say enrollment varies from school to school.

Some schools have year-round enrollment, others have application deadlines for next fall starting in February.