MARIA, Interesting question. How does this question work for you?
Dr. Jean Norris
HAVE YOU EVER DONE SOMETHING SIMILAR?
Syl,
Thank you for sharing! Using both open-ended and close-ended questions can help you to build rapport with a student and determine their needs. Thank you for sharing!
Dr. Jean Norris
One of my favorite questions is: "Why are you looking to start or continue your education at a career school verses a community college?" This question will let you know if they are looking for something quick and then the next question will be; "why do you need something fast?". This will help you determine the needs of the student and will allow you to discover why it is important for them to take action now. It has helped my reps open up a great telephone conversation. Hope this helps!!
Eduardo A. ,
This question has a lot of info tucked in it, doesn't it? Thanks for sharing!
Dr. Jean Norris
Of course there’s always a plethora of questions that are vital for all of us in the Admissions department to ask and consider, but one of my favorites is:
What is it about this specific time in your life that makes entering or coming back to school so attractive and important to you?
Their answer usually gives me an idea as to what is currently happening in their life, insight as to what they’re looking for in a school (what they deem as important), and why this may be the right time for them to proceed with this goal.
Breanne,
This can be a useful question but can I ask you what the purpose of this question is?
Dr. Jean Norris
I will usually ask the prospective student why they have chosen our school to come and look at and then we start with our interview process.
Great suggestion Luc, I like the partnership approach and asking a question that helps to determine how you can support the student is a good practice. Thanks for your post.
Dr. Jean Norris
I completely agree with one of the Participant who said:" questions play a vital role in helping you explore the student's environment". This is an interesting question that I'm sure leads to a variety of responses. How does this question help you in exploring your student's environment, John?
Challenge your Student.Ask him What does he like you to do to help him to solve any problem that he may encountered.Let's be partner to solve it.
It sounds like you're seeking to help the prospective student understand their motivation to attend school, do I have that right? I'm a firm believer in partnering with the student in their decision-making process and asking good questions to help them consider all their options is important. A word of advice you, 'why' questions can cause a person to feel somewhat defensive so rephrasing your question to a 'what' or 'how' question may give you even more information. Thank you for your post Huichi.
Dr. Jean Norris
I believe, the most important question to ask a prospective student is: "Why are you interested in this program, i.e. what is it that you are thinking of getting out of it. Sometimes, students don't know why they want to take a particular course, or they might be doing it for the wrong reasons. So far this has work pretty well for me and the institution--it reduces the incidences of student dropouts.
If you were accepted into the program today, who would be the first person you call?
-Helps me find out the support, and also who will probably be helping pay tuition
I would imagine that any of those three answers could indicate that the student is committed because different things motivate people differently. I'm curious what kind of an answer you might get if you didn't offer them the three options. Have you tried leaving that as an open-ended question?
Dr. Jean Norris
Nicole,
Sometimes the simple and straight forward approach works best. As you pointed out, the opportunity lies with what they tell you after that initial question and asking great follow-up questions based on what they already told you. Thank you for your post!
Dr. Jean Norris
I always ask perspective students to tell me about themselves. It's simple and a good starting point for follow up questions.
My favorite question to prospective students is what's important to you in a career? Then I will give them three options
1. Money
2. Growth
3. Happiness
The most common answer is Happiness. Usually that’s what makes me realize, that the student is committed and will complete the program.
Tiffany,
I agree, a question like that can not only help to discover the student's support network and where the student is in their process, but can also open the student up to sharing their story. How do you follow up with the student that gives you a simple 'no' answer?
Dr. Jean Norris
Who in your life have you talked with about continuing your education? I like this question because it helps to see whom the student has as a support network in their life. Maybe you're the first person they've ever shared this goal with. It helps to discover how far along this student is on their path.
