College Fair Draws Potential Students

COURT HOUSE – Junior and senior students of Middle Township High School attended the annual college fair March 14 in the gymnasium. 
Another year has greeted another wave of students preparing to embark on a momentous time in their lives.
For an hour and a half, students and parents had access to 49 stations of higher education; 13 of which are New Jersey-based, 15 from Pennsylvania, three from Delaware, two from Connecticut and two from Maryland, with the rest being from states like Florida and Alabama.
All five branches of the military were present.
Before the crowds arrived, Carol Fraone from Atlantic Cape Community College expressed the hope for a big turnout.
“Weather is a big factor,” Fraone said about the expected crowd. It was a blustery cold day, but the inclement weather stayed away.
Timothy Grussenmeyer, an admissions recruiter for Cumberland County College, was eager to greet students and gave a nod of appreciation to Atlantic Cape for partnering with them at this and other college fair events.
When asked about New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s plan to offer free community college education for state residents, Grussenmeyer responded that such a move would be a boon for schools like Cumberland County College.
“It would definitely increase enrollment,” Grussenmeyer said. “I’m just not sure about the logistics of getting the money.”
According to Murphy, an increase in the sales tax (back to 7 percent) and state income tax on ‘high-income residents’ (incomes over $1 million) is expected to garner $1.6 billion in revenue.
As students made their way around the event, a few spoke to The Herald about what they were looking for in a college or university.
Gabriella Caraballa, 16, was looking to be a physical therapist. She wishes to remain in the state, but not too close to home.
One of the draws for her was an institute of higher learning that offered a very extensive and exciting social scene.
Another 16-year-old, Paige Zimmerman, was looking to enroll out of state. She stated that she was still deciding on a major. Her decision to attend the fair gave her and her parents a greater awareness as to some of the options.
Thomas Jefferson, known as “TJ,” was motivated to find a college or university with a lot of spirit and potential that would fuel him during his pursuit of a Computer Science degree.
“Middle Township has a lot of energy, and I am looking for that in a college,” TJ said.
While he wishes to remain in-state, Jefferson, like Caraballa, does not want to be too close to home.
Asked if he would consider a community college, especially if it is made tuition-free, Jefferson replied, “Free community college is a good thing, but not my thing.”
Similar questions were asked of Caraballa and Zimmerman, with both responding that if county colleges were made tuition-free, they would consider attending.
To contact Christopher Knoll, email cknoll@cmcherald.com.