Frequently Asked Questions

What is OACAC and what does it stand for?

Overseas Association for College Admission Counseling was founded in 1992 and is a chartered regional association of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). Our mission is to facilitate global interaction among counselors and institutions in support of students in their transition from secondary to higher education.

 

Who comes to the conference?

Last year approximately 100 international school college counselors from about 40 countries joined over 200 college and university admission officers at our conference in Toronto. Coming to St. Louis will be professionals from small Midwestern liberal arts colleges, from well-known Ivy League institutions, representatives from testing organizations, along with representatives from Canadian and other world-wide universities. Nearly all of the US colleges and universities with a commitment to international education will be there.

 

What topics will be covered?

There will be a wide variety of panels and workshops. Exact information will be added to the website as workshops are approved and scheduled. Most of the sessions provide plenty of opportunity for interaction between the speakers and the audience.

 

Why do "competitors" share information?

People who work or travel overseas tend to be a very collaborative and helpful bunch. While it is true that people are representing different institutions, they joined this profession because they want to help students. Unlike those who recruit domestically, international admission officers often travel together in groups. Over the years, many have become close friends.

 

Will I be able to get to know people?

Absolutely! This is a conference where no one is a stranger for very long. It's a welcoming, inviting group and no one is ever shy about walking up to someone they don't know to start a conversation. For admission officers, there is no better way to meet with a large and diverse group of international counselors. For counselors, it's a great way to meet the people who often make decisions on your students' applications.

 

Is it expensive?

No. Actually the whole conference is a great bargain. The registration fee is low, housing is available on campus, and sponsors support the cost of the conference making it very economical. Compare the total cost of your attendance to the cost of visiting one international high school.