Preparing a prospective student
I strongly believe that it requires teamwork to preapare a student for success. This effort begins with the admissions counsellor, and continues with the administrative personnel, instructors and the program directors. It is important to lay out a roadmap and a vision for a student and inspire them to succeed in the course ahead.
Nicely done, Alisa. It would be nice if all instructors had the same understanding that you do. Keep up the good work.
I agree with this statement. I teach culinary arts and restaurant guest services. For years now, I have been reaching out to our admissions reps, asking them to please feel free to stop into my class with prospective students on tours. I always take some time to introduce my self to the prospective student, ask if they have any questions of a Chef, and also tell them I went to school there too (over a decade ago!). I give prospective students my business card, and at times I have had the reps reach out to me to email or call a prospective student who had questions about changing careers. I can't begin to count the number of times over the years that students tell me, "I met you on a tour with my parents when I was looking at the school. You made such a great impression and seemed to reachable that it helped make my decision to attend here." The way I see it, if I can help our reps set realistic expectations about what we offer, they more students enroll, more stay in school, and I have more people to teach!
How is this common message developed and who manages it?
I believe we all often wonder what the other departments are telling the students. Rather than assuming, we should go immediately to the source and ask what we are telling them. It all begins with us as a school being on a consistent and accurate platform. When we all communicate the same message, retention and student satisfaction will increase. If we question what admissions is telling the students, ask. If we question what placement is telling the students, ask. Open discussion and communication can allow the whole to operate as such. It is each persons responsibility to ensure the student gets the same message from every person in the school. We need to be realistic yet motivating. We need to take our time and not only sell the dream, but the path to achieve the dream. We as a school need to draw the map to success so the student understands they can do it as well as how to do it. I always let my coworkers know I have an open door policy for my phone and interviews. If you want to know, please come firsthand and see for yourself. When I want to know what is being said in the classroom or in placement, I ask to observe. I have never been told no. We should remain open for constructive criticism and questioning of our methods to break down the barriers in between departments and function at a higher level. As an individual institution, lets empower ourselves with knowledge so we can best serve our students from the moment of inquiry to the first day of their new career.
What specific actions are taken to assure that a prospective student is prepared to enter the classroom? Does this happen before their first class or is it on-going?
We strongly agree making a prospective student more prepared to enter into the classroom is one of the most important key in their success in school. We all help the student to adjust and to reach their goal.
Have you asked to sit in on an interview or offered to meet with the admissions people to discuss your concerns? Most of them are eager to learn more about the programs.
I often wonder what the students hear from admission people. Are they promised high paying jobs immediately out of school? Are they told the school is not challenging? As chef instructors we never what is actually being said and when we talk about real world scenarios we often get almost astonished looks from the students.
In my classroom there's a fine line b/w stress and retention. Students love and hate deadlines but thats part of life I have to add that stress b/c its going to prepare them out in the field. The one who slacks repeat the course or withdraw we want (Best of the Best).
