Informed Consumers
Outside of the specific disclosure regulations, what specifically can admissions representatives do to assist students in making the most informed decisions possible? What do you see are the most important conversations to have with prospective students?
I think that if everyone is being honest then you will have a successful conversation about enrolling in school and which program is best for the student. I like that our Admin Reps often ask the instructors or the PD's about our programs when they do not know something as this eliminates a lot of confusion.
The admissions representative outlines the program requirements and outcomes, as well as all the tuition, fees, and refund policies of the school. The representative also tells the student that the school offers placement services, and shares the placement rates from the past three years, but states that the school cannot guarantee employment.
I think its best to ask the potential student what subjects they found interesting in high school and tell them about programs with similar curriculum that they may be interested in. Give them the facts s they can make an informed decision.
It is important that recruiters believe in the school and the education that it is providing. If there is nothing about the school to be ashamed of then there shouldn't be an issue.
I feel the most important thing is to discuss their educational and career goals and then program to see if it matches.
Honesty and authenticity are the best tools to use. If you are honest and authentic when advising the student, you both can make a solid decision regarding the program of interest and whether or not the student should enroll at your college.
Make sure that the student is informed on all aspects and procedures of the school.
Make sure that the student is informed on all aspects and procedures of the school.
Reps can benefit from knowing how to evaluate prospective students (past experience, skills and goals) and create a plan to help them reach their career objectives.
Inform them on what they can expect. Sometimes it is a student's first encounter with higher education. Be very honest and straight to the point.
Making sure students understand the admissions process is the most important step as a representative. We want to make sure they are well informed and we are ethical throughout the process.
When we are conducting presentations on the school, whether it be in a high school classroom, organizations, etc., our presenters not only are agents and trained in compliance, but are presentation certified as well through our training department and management. It is typically a two day process to make sure the information is delivered correctly and we are serving the potential students to the best of our ability.
We have not done our jobs properly until we have discussed with the student the all programs available. We need to have discussions with them and probe to find the "who what when where and why" of their decision to seek education.
We need to have frank, open conversations with them on what brought them to this decision and what they hope to accomplish by enrolling in school.
We need to engage the student and determine if it really is a "right fit" and a win win for BOTH parties.
Students often feel overwhelmed at the beginning of the program. It is critical to ask them what their long-ranged goals are and to set short-termed goals with each student. Work with the students and let them know that we have plenty of resources to help them with these goals and with their career choice. It is achievable.
Getting to know each student personally and understanding the interests, short term goals, and long term goals of each student is imperative to assisting the students in making the most informed decision possible.
Uncovering what needs, wants, and desires (goals) a student has is essential to helping them make the best decision possible for them.
Doing so as a professional is one thing; however, as a decent person we should be doing this as I would hope anyone with a conscience would. Essentially, we find ourselves at a wonderful definition of "Integrity" -- doing the right thing whether or not anyone is looking.
Some of the most important conversations the I have had with student is about goals that they have in a career. What do they want to get out of their education? That way we can help them more and make sure they are certain of the direction they are going.
I believe the students should be invited to observe a lecture/lab and possibly consider other programs. Often I find in the profession of dentistry, the students are surprised by certain aspects, which I feel could be avoided. The element of surprise or a program not meeting a perspective students expectations is something I wish could be avoided.
