Excellent. I love that you are linking early in the process. Keep up the good work.
Dr. B
Yes, use grads who are employed because they completed your program. This way, new students can say, "If he/she did it, I can!"
Dr. B
Orientation at the college I teach at is very comprehensive. In fact, I would say that orientation starts the minute the potential student first visits the college. It is not uncommon for an admissions rep to stop me in the hall way with a potential student for me to greet them and let them know a bit about the classes I teach. It is always fun to see these same students in my classroom a few months after that first informal orientation!
There is a great orientation program going on now. I believe that we can improve by having testimonials and also teacher introductions as well.
I suggest that orientation be centered on linking the education to jobs. Tell students about graduates and their success stories. Don't you think that would help admissions?
Dr. B
I know orientations are expected to be a positive and uplifting event and I do follow those guidelines as they are a part of our culture... however, I am of a different opinion and my thoughts although they do not do well for admissions, they will increase retention. I think the rules, regulations, policies and procedures, attendance should be covered in orientation and let them (prospective students) know that if they can not abide by our rules then we are not the school for them. Yes this will scare a few and yes admissions will be mad at you BUT, you will get a much more committed student at the beginning and it will take the edge off of a concersation later on when you do have to address one of these issue with a current student.
Our orientation in the past has been a formal classroom setting with a rigorous agenda that starts with financial aid and ends with their program directors. I think that it would be more beneficial to have the new students meet with their program directors on a different day so as not to be overwhelmed by information. This way the orientation could be more informal and allowing the students to get to know one another and also their instructors.
Excellent. Make sure that you attempt to have one-on-one talks with faculty and career services, too.
Dr. B
In our orientation, we sit the students in groups by program. This way they can meet the students that they will take classes with throughout the curriculum. We also have them meet each other and find out what their ideal job is and then go around the room and allow them to introduce each other.
Alumni make a big difference. Also, use current students. Do anything you can to connect and form a relationship early in the process.
Dr. B
I believe the orientattion process at our school is good but there are some more ideas we can implement during the orientation process that will better prepare the students and reduce initial complaints.
I like the idea that current students or students who have already graduated, come and talk to the new students. Answer questions and also it will help them relate more to how student life will be , not only in school but also outside of school. They can give the new students tips of how they balance school, work and home life.
Also I think it important that the instructors also have a chance to speak to the students at the orientation to explain about what they will do in class and what is expected from them.All this will definitely help reduce some unnneccesary initial complaints.
We have stations set up and take the students through the different departments so they can get to meet all the required people all in one room. In addition, they pick up their uniforms and take the photos for their ID. After that, they get to meet the president, Executive Chef, and Registrar to be welcomed and complete paperwork. It seems to work for us. What would make it better would be more exposure to faculty.
Awesome. Be sure that the theme of the ort is student success, not so much administrative. Have career services involved from the start.
Dr. B
Good afternoon Dr. Banks,
we have a very comprhensive orientation program at our school and much of the offerings are covered at that time, however i may suggest that we take more time to cover the information as i think we seem to cover to quickly.
I always thought that the orientation at the start of school the student greatly mark, it excites, motivates the student to start with encourage his/her career. If the Orientation and Admissions staff is apathetic, are uninterested or do not do a good orientation, can cause confusing to the student and may be disappointed them of the decision of enrolling in this school. A visit or taking a practice to the new school can encourage the new student on his first day and the continuation of the career. Maintain contact with students, support and design a mentor can continue the process of mantaining students and stop desisting to drop the school.
Orientation is the communication of expectations. When students know what is expected of them, they typically perform better. Our orientation program gives students the ability to learn what our School expects of them and then sets them up to succeed through the communication of expectations. We then give them introductions to faculty who can serve as their mentors. This gives them a person to whom they can relate and talk to when they are not certain.
Nice... What about introducing career services early in the process and can you introduce mentors and advisors in a personal way?
Dr. B
First of all, they should used Orientation MAP, where the student have the idea of where to begin, and where it will end maybe follow the numbers. Second should have a hands out that give the student of all name and number of the personnel that they need to remember on day if they do need to ask question. Each stop should able to be minimal the time, and max information has been given without sitting for a long hours of listening to a speakers. We have to admits, a 20-30 minutes talking, before it end the newbies will be bored. Let have some people that give few pointers a positive experienced to look for and that be it. Make the orientation short and sweets, loud in sense and fun, but they get waht they need to get on that day to hype them for coming to schools.
we have a stronge orientation program here at MMI... I think we have good to great student retension. As Instructors we work daily with our students to ensure they have a positive vibe about why they are here and where in the workforce they'll go.
An orientation helps to set the stage from the get-go. By linking students to staff, they form relationships that will prove invaluable as students progress through the program. Do all that you can to link all departments early in the student's program.
Dr. B
