More than 100 representatives from colleges, universities and technical schools across the country will fill Suncoast Credit Union Arena at Florida Southwestern State College this month for students.

“College Night is an opportunity to visit with representatives from schools across the state and country. Students can meet with the ones they are interested in but also be exposed to schools they hadn’t thought of or heard of that may offer just what they want,” School District of Lee County spokesperson Rob Spicker said. “The information gained can be used to narrow down a list of favorites for campus visits or actual applications. Choosing a college is a big decision and the more research into finding the right fit the better the overall experience is going to be.”

College Night will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, at Suncoast Credit Union Arena, 13351 FSW Parkway, Fort Myers.

Each school, college, or university will bring a variety of information about their campus, student body, areas of study and financial aid. The representatives will also answer questions students and families might have.

“The most important thing to bring is an open mind and questions,” Spicker said. “Visit with as many colleges as possible and ask insightful questions about what they can offer you so you can get answers beyond the pamphlets provided. Ask the same questions of each college to make fair comparisons and bring a pen to write down key information to help remember it later.”

College Night has been held for more than 20 years with a few missed during COVID.

“Our largest year was about 4,000,” Spicker said about the attendance. “Every year is different, but several hundred will at least attend and possibly more than that.”

The school district invites colleges nationwide to attend, particularly those that have come before, or have a high interest among the students, he said.

“For our juniors, it’s time to start thinking about what your major might be, what kind of college do I want to attend and what kind of activities do I want to participate in. For our seniors it’s time to select the schools you are going to apply to. College Night is the perfect way to help make those choices,” Spicker said.

Those that have confirmed include:

– Berry College, Georgia

– Bethune-Cookman College

– Bryant University, Rhode Island

– Cape Coral Technical College

– Drexel University, Pennsylvania

– Eckerd College

– Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

– Flagler College

– Florida Academy

– Florida Army National Guard

– Florida Atlantic University

– Florida Gulf Coast University

– Florida Gulf Coast University – College of Education

– Florida Institute of Technology

– Florida International University

– Florida Polytechnic University

– Florida Southern College

– Florida Southwestern State College

– Florida State University

– Fort Myers Technical College

– Furman University, South Carolina

– George Mason University, Virginia

– Indiana University, Indiana

– Keiser University

– Lees-McRae College, North Carolina

– LIM College, New York

– Loyola University Maryland, Maryland

– Lynn University

– Miami University of Ohio, Ohio

– Michigan State University, Michigan

– Missouri University of Science & Technology, Missouri

– Montclair State University, New Jersey

– National Aviation Academy

– New York Film Academy

– Norwich University, Vermont

– NOVA Southeastern University

– Oglethorpe University, Georgia

– Palm Beach Atlantic University

– Premiere International College

– Purdue University, Indiana

– Rasmussen College

– Rider University, New Jersey

– Ringling College of Art & Design

– Rollins College

– Savannah College of Art & Design, Georgia

– Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania

– Southeastern University

– Stetson University

– Temple University, Pennsylvania

– The Salon Professional Academy

– Troy University, Alabama

– United States Coast Guard Academy, Connecticut

– United States Military Academy, New York

– Universal Technical Institute

– The University of Alabama, Alabama

– University of Central Florida

– University of Connecticut, Connecticut

– University of Florida

– University of Kentucky, Kentucky

– University of Maine, Maine

– University of Miami

– University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada

– University of North Florida

– University of Notre Dame, Indiana

– University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

– University of South Florida

– University of Tampa

– Valdosta State University, Georgia

– Vanderbilt University, Tennessee

– Western Carolina University, North Carolina

– Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Massachusetts

– Richmond American University, London, England