Addressing Difficult Challenges
What challenges do you find most difficult to address and why do you think they're difficult for you?
I can emphathize with the students because I faced many of the difficult challenges. I was a single parent, very little income, child care and transportation issues and I worked full time. But, I had a very strong support system. Before I share my story, I listen to the students account of their experince. Hopefully, I can be an inspiraton to students that face difficult challenges. It's important to understand that each student is unique and so are their challenges.
Charlene ,
Thank you for sharing your challenges. Perhaps a thorough exploration of the prospective student's goals and current situation will help to narrow their choices. If they discover first what they see themselves doing and are able understand what they need to do to make it happen, it may clarify the situation for both of you! Keep up the good work!
Dr. Jean Norris
One of the challenges I am often faced with is that the students don't know anything about the program they want, but are just looking for a quick fix or short program to get a job.
In these situations I have to explain quite a bit about the different programs we offer. It's challenging because I expect the student to know at least the nature of the program they are interested in. Sometimes I talk with students who can barely even pronounce the program of study, yet they are eager to apply so they can get a job in the field.
NATALIA, This is common. How do you handle this challenge? What resources does your institute provide the student?
Elizabeth Wheeler
I think the "compared to what" question is excellent for learning more about the prospective student's past research into other educational institutions/other options in general. This question could definitely help one in admissions learn more about the student's interests. Perhaps, the answer will help lead into other conversations that will help both understand the direction the student is going in.
I definitely agree with luz. I believe many of the students I come across have the urge to better their education but sometimes not only they don't have the aid but they don't have the support they need to so.
In addition to the finances, which is the most common challenge I have, I also find that prospective students who are adult learners that have not been back to school since they graduated high school to be another challenge. Adult learners make up about 90% of our population. I find it most difficult when interviewing prospective students that have not taken a college course at all and went straight into the work force, and for various reasons, are now researching new careers after having worked for 15-20 years. I find that even after the interviewing process and probing questions, addressing fear, discussing resources such as tutoring, etc. No matter how great I think the interview went and I know the prospect left feeling good about taking a step towards their goal and that they left feeling our school was a match for what they were searching for, it usually doesn't take long for that excitement to dwindle down and the person who was calling and emailing back and forth then somehow falls off the face of the earth and completely loses touch. I don't know if they succumb to their fears or simply give up because they don't have a good support system and face people within their own circle who try to deter them from their goals. It can be a combination of things, but the result is the same for me. Is anyone else dealing with this particular challenge? Often times when an interview is over you can reflect and think about what you could have done better but what do you do when you know an interview went really well and you just cant figure out what happens at that point? I will continue to reach out to the prospect for some time and if no contact, I will schedule follow ups for at least a few months down the road.Some people appreciate the follow ups but it is clear that they still have not made progress yet. I find it challenging to reach this demographic and help them actually make progress.
Shannon, Again, thank you for posting, you have excellent insight into the admissions profession. What is particularly important about what you said is "student find suitable solutions to overcome the barriers". It's really important to help the student realize their owns solutions and resources.
Elizabeth Wheeler
Some challenges and obstacles that I find most difficult to address at times are transportation or postponement objections. I feel that at times those specific objections can be difficult because it requires additional fact finding through open ended questions to evaluate the students current resources, situation, and/or circumstances. However, I have found that if you provide a comprehensive interview and directly address the situation and possible opinions, students regularly find suitable solutions to overcome the barriers.
Theodore, It's important to remember not to categorize each student when you hear similar things come out of their mouth - nicely done. Each student may have the same type of issue, but it's custom to them and should be responded to in that manner.
Dr. Jean Norris
I conduct educational research at my school. I have determined the more than half of all student-prospects are concerned about the time, money or time and money. Addressing the challenges with overcoming these objectives have been essential in our Admissions Department. I think that these are both the easiest and most difficult to address as it relies solely on the information you gather during the rapport building phase. Once you gain their insight on what is important to them, then you can share success stories on how others that are closely placed in their situation have overcome this struggle. I think it is difficult for me as they are areas that are dynamic and can't have the "cookie cutter" approach. Not that I look for the easy way on things, but it is nice to gain a landscape approach on this.
Monica, Yes, this can happen. What can you do to build that trust?
Elizabeth Wheeler
What this is a great way to approach this statement. We will have to utilize something similar to this. Thank you
Sometimes It is very difficult to build the trust with the potential student. They have a hard time opening up and being honest about their needs or problems which makes it hard to be able to ask additional questions.
Asmir, Those are both common challenges, thank you for addressing them! What do you do to meet these challenges and help your students?
Dr. Jean Norris
The most difficult challenge to address is money and schedule. Since most of the students the go to school here pay out of pocked, it is hard for them to accommodate work and school. They have to work and pay for the school while in school. Sometime student need to make arrangements way ahead of time in order to go into the programs.
I have to agree with you Stacey. One of the hardest challenges to overcome is the financial implications for a students. I have the flexibility to waive the application fee if necessary but its hard to help the student when they cannot afford books or even public transportation.
Kim, Literature is a great resource. What if the student is more of a visual learner?
Dr. Jean Norris
The best ways I can do to assist the student are give more information as much as I know, tell them what benefits school offer for student and provide students catalog and encourage them read before enrolling
