Enlisting help on the enrollment
Is enlisting the help of an instructor for answering questions that a student may have good practice, what if the instructor misrepresents in some way (since he/she has no admissions specific training). Who is responsible?
bruce,
Instructors need to know the rules and regulations of admissions when speaking with students. Sometimes in their zeal to speak about their programs they may offer information that it's not allowed by law. This is where instructors need to be educated in admissions requirements.
Patty Aronoff
Ohhh that's a little scary! I think that it's a great idea to build relationships with alllll the instructors and directors in your institution.. or at least any and all that you will eventually call upon to assist with 'educating' the prospect about their respective department. I have found that through building such relationships, the ALL know my standards, my ethics, my needs when I call upon them, and most of all they all know my heart for helping people change their lives. I have faith in them when I introduce a prospect to them that they will do and say the right thing not only because that's what they do, but also because they know me and by knowing me they will also know the needs of the prospect.
Michelle,
Absolutely! You must know all the requirements and also know what to do with case scenarios. We must adapt and instruct so you do not lose a potential enrollment.
Patty Aronoff
I also have a similar question as Leonardo. I just started working in admissions, but I just know the basics information on course descriptions, start dates, price, etc. I think as an admissions representative I should know more on what are the requirements needed to register at this institution. For example: what happens when a student has no SSN? Is there a problem in registering/ being able to take a course/ getting a diploma?
Van,
The instructors are a valuable resource to describe the program or academic side.
Patty Aronoff
The Admision office will have the respondsibility for answering the questions from the student. The Instructors response the questions from their teaching course only.
aisha,
Another reason for product training for all staff. We should never worry about saying the wrong thing.
Patty Aronoff
It is a great idea to have an instructor help with an enrollment. But you cannot expect that person to do your job for you. You must help guide the instructor through the question and answering in order to ensure that they will not say the wrong thing to the student. If you're being thorough then you should know how that instructor will respond or whether the instructor is even the right person to ask.
Tom,
The instructors are the experts when it comes to product knowledge. It is a great idea to have the reps participate in training sessions with instructors.
Patty Aronoff
Leonardo,
Check with the education department on who to talk to about each program. You want the person to represent the school well.
Patty Aronoff
I think it is a good idea, but only within the narrow scope of the instuctor's role with the school. The admissions rep should be present to ensure that the questions and answers fall within this area only. Instuctors should only answer questions about the course(s)they teach, and not about other areas in the admissions experience. The admissions rep is responsible for ensuring that accurate information is presented to the prospective student.
