Imagine touring hundreds of colleges without leaving town. You can do it this fall when the National College Fair, the Performing and Visual Arts College Fair and the Black College Fair come to Seattle. All are free.

Here are some details, and tips on how to make the most of the fairs:

National College Fair

What: Annual event, where college representatives stationed at booths hand out catalogs and field questions. Last year 11,000 students and parents attended.

When: Sunday, Nov. 9, noon-4 p.m.; Monday, Nov. 10, 9 a.m.-noon.

Where: Washington State Convention and Trade Center.

Which schools: Of the 280 schools represented this year, about half are local, the rest from all over — including Columbia University in New York, Howard University in Washington, D.C., Carleton College in Minnesota and the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

To learn more: www.nacac.com/fairs.html or 206-236-3364.

The Performing and Visual Arts College Fair

What: For students interested in the arts, it's a chance to compare schools' specialties, instructors' credentials and students' chances to perform.

When: Wednesday, Oct. 8, 7-9 p.m.

Where: Washington State Convention and Trade Center.

Which schools: The reps scheduled to appear hail from nearly 100 schools, including Cornish College of the Arts, the University of Washington School of Music, The Juilliard School, Oberlin College and the San Francisco Art Institute.

To learn more: 206-726-5016

The Black College Fair

What: Celebrating its 20th year, this event lets students look into their options at historically black colleges. A highlight for this year: a panel of alumni discussing their experiences.

When: Sunday, Oct. 26, noon-4:30 p.m.

Where: Seattle Central Community College.

Which schools: Among the several colleges setting up booths this year: Alabama A&M in Huntsville, Spelman College in Atlanta, and Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

To learn more: 206-329-9107 or www.scn.org/collegefair.

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