Hundreds visit campuses for Iowa Private College Week

CEDAR RAPIDS -- Hailley Fargo's first glimpse of Coe College was several years ago, on a visit to campus during Iowa Private College Week.

She remembers climbing the steps of a campus building and saying "I can see myself here."

Fargo, now a 21-year-old Coe senior, this week is one of the student coordinators of the campus tours, presentations and events for the hundreds of prospective students and their parents who will visit during Iowa Private College Week, an annual event that highlights the 29 participating nonprofit private colleges and universities.

While 2013 marks the 15th year for the annual Iowa Private College Week program, Coe this year is changing things up by having current students run the show, via the "student takeover." Students were in charge of all the planning and presentations, with about 40 of them on campus this week to lead tours and participate in panel discussions.

"We want prospective students to see what we love about Coe," said Fargo, a native of Mount Horeb, Wisc. "We showcase Coe from a student point of view."

Kayla Gardner, 16, came to Iowa this week with her parents from New Hope, Minn., to visit Cornell College in Mount Vernon. After that visit Monday morning, they decided to stop by Coe and they also planned to visit Grinnell College before returning home.

"It gives a good overview, and from here you can see what interests you and set up a more in-depth visit later," Gardner said.

Her mom, Peg Gardner, likes that the colleges already have information sessions and experts lined up on various subjects, like picking a major and financial aid, during the special week.

"It's very organized," she said. "You don't have to set up a hundred different meetings yourself."

The event is sponsored statewide by the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. The annual event draws hundreds of prospective students and their parents to the campuses of the state's private colleges, including other Eastern Iowa participants Mount Mercy University and Luther College.