College Visits are scheduled on a monthly basis to colleges and universities in North Carolina. Students are allowed to choose two visits in their junior year that will not affect their attendance record. Students tour the campus, hear an admission counselor’s presentation, eat in the campus cafeteria, and participate in other activities depending on the campus. Students should visit the McNair office to sign up for college visits.

College Fair is held each September at Isothermal Community College for the juniors and seniors in Rutherford County. Carolinas Association of Collegiate Registrars & Administrations Officers (CACRAO) presents the college fair and up to 80 colleges are represented. McNair Educational Foundation supports this event by providing resources for students to prepare for the college fair, speaking to students prior to attending, and assisting students at the fair. 

For one week each November, colleges and universities in North Carolina participate in College Application Week. During this week, many private colleges in North Carolina waive their application fee and all public universities accept fee waivers. To make the most of this opportunity, McNair Educational Foundation staff work with guidance staff to assist students in completing college applications. This includes providing awareness activities and working with students individually on selecting colleges and completing applications.

College and Career 101 Conference is held in the spring. McNair Educational Foundation, in collaboration with Isothermal Community College and Rutherford County Schools, hosts a one-day conference for all high school seniors. The conference focuses on providing information students need 

College Bound celebrates the accomplishments of our college bound seniors. McNair partners with the high schools to recognize these seniors while also building college awareness for underclassmen through several activities including:

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• Copies of college acceptance letters are hung on a public bulletin board within the school.

• College Signing Day is a nationwide movement modeled after athletic signing events that recognizes seniors who have committed to post-secondary education. Each year, McNair Educational Foundation and Rutherford County Schools participate in this event by hosting a signing for students to celebrate this important decision. 

• Each high school has a Hall of Fame to recognize college bound students that consists of banners for each college. As students commit to a school, their pictures are hung on the banners. These banners not only celebrate students who have enrolled in college, but also encourage younger students to set college as a goal.