Great insight, Luz. I happen to agree with you that discussing all the options your student is considering is a wonderful way to help build your credibility, the student's confidence, and offer the chance to compare and contrast in an open setting. And more than likely, your student is going to explore those options with or without you anyway - isn't it nice when they decide to include you?
I think that the best practice to implement with our students is the truth about all the process. Discuss about the different options they can find on the market is the way to success as an Admissions Department Representative. Besides it creates confidence, motivation and friendly environment.
Knowing as much as you can about surrounding schools is definitely a great benefit. It definitely helps you in knowing whether or not you can be supportive if a student decides that your college is not what they are looking for. If you have no idea what other schools are offering, it will be hard to understand why your school may not be the right fit.
Being honest and up front with students is definitely a necessity. I get the sense that you prefer to serve your students with honesty and integrity. I imagine that this policy has and will continue to assist you in your work with students. Keep up the good work, Tom.
I have no problem letting a prospective student know that this is not the school for them. This honesty can only help a possible referral and lower the number of students that will not finish the course. Retention is most importatnt here.
When you help the potential student work through all of the options available to them, you create a more solid trust base for yourself. The student has probably already thought of these other options but never knew enough information. When you help them understand those options more clearly odds are they may end up moving forward with you.
That's the final option, but an option. I just spoke with a student that had to work from 11 to 10. Our competitor can accommodate those hours with a 6am to 10am class time. While we went over the possibilities, that was the final result. The reality is that one size doesn't fit all.
Very well stated, Kristin. There is no doubt that this can be a difficult concept for reps to wrap their heads around. It is so crucial that we remember that our job is to help students make their own best decisions and that has to be a self-less act.
This is a hard concept for most admissions representatives as this student would then not apply to their overall goal and therefore seem like a waste of resources and time. However, it is important to provide a wide range of services and expertise. In the movie, Miracle on 34th St., the Santa refers a customer to another store instead of trying to make a sale at the current store. I always remember this scene as a self-less act. It is the idea that we must do what is best for the student and give them a good experience, because our school may be a good fit for their friend.
You've hit the nail on the head, Leticia! Talking through all options with your students is an important piece that some admissions professionals miss. I imagine your students really appreciate the time you take to explore all of the options rather than just focusing on your school. Keep up the good work!
That's awesome, Lauren! Increasing your knowledge of other options your students typically consider can help you serve your students in new and different ways. I have a feeling that you'd want to get that extra knowledge for your students to improve your service to them, does that sound about right? How do you think your students would respond if you helped them explore options outside of your school?
I do feel like I need to educate myself more on other schools and programs they offer. I feel like I can combat these questions well by pointing out our attributes but it might help me even more to further my knowledge in this area.
I am very comfortable exploring all the options with the student. I think it is actually very important to do so. It lets us know why they are considering our school, we can see if we have what they are looking for in a college, we want to make sure the student is making the right decision. In finding out what their needs are we can best guide them in the right direction, which leads to the students success overall.
