More than 60 colleges and universities came to UWC-USA on Saturday, September 19, 2026, for the fifth annual University Fair. Admissions officers traveled from across the United States, and from as far as Canada and Spain, for the five-hour program. It has become an annual destination for many of them, and this was the third year in a row that more than 60 schools attended.
“The college fair is about exposing students to the breadth of university possibilities and, in turn, exposing the universities to the unusual and extraordinary UWC-USA experience,” said Casey Nolen Jackson, director of UWC-USA’s Future Pathways (university counseling) office.
For students, the day was about more than prestige and rankings. They asked admissions officers about each school’s values and priorities, from how it supports international students to what campus community looks like, as they worked out which schools could be a good fit. Panel sessions paired unexpected combinations, such as studying engineering at a liberal arts college, or exploring new paths into medicine and the pre-health sciences.
Throughout the day, UWC-USA students were paired with visiting universities for different activities. The pairings gave admissions officers a firsthand look at how much students lead across campus.
“The admissions officers were absolutely thrilled with the opportunity to get to know one of our students in this way,” Nolen Jackson said. “They were so impressed with the students and their maturity, poise, and thoughtfulness.”
The visitors agreed. An admissions representative from Goucher College called the fair “my favorite event to attend as an admissions counselor.”
“Every year I look forward to coming to UWC-USA, and after the full day, am inspired and excited by the conversations with students,” the representative wrote.
Most of the schools at the fair, 55 of the 62, were Davis Schools, partners in the Davis United World College Scholars Program. Founded in 2000 by philanthropists Shelby and Gale Davis and international educators Phil and Amy Geier, the program funds need-based scholarships for graduates of all 18 UWC schools, for up to four years of undergraduate study. It is the world’s largest privately funded international scholarship program for undergraduates. According to the program’s 2026 annual report, 4,643 Davis UWC Scholars from 163 countries are enrolled at 106 American colleges and universities, and 17,220 scholars have been supported since 2000. The Class of 2026 alone included 1,084 graduates from 139 nations.
For partner colleges, the program builds globally minded campus communities. For UWC-USA graduates and their fellow alumni from other UWCs, it opens the door to an education that might otherwise be out of reach.
On Saturday, those two goals met face to face, one conversation at a time.