Speaking with Students
What are some proven techniques that you have found beneficial when speaking with students to to set an appointment?
Parker,
Absolutely! Students are looking to change their lives and come to our schools as a first step in doing so. It's a great place to start.
Patty Aronoff
We have found that we are essentially problem solvers to help our prospective students get over any hurdles that might be keeping them from starting school sooner rather than later.
Catherine,
Admissions is not a nine to five operation. We need to be available when the prospective students are.
Patty Aronoff
Dealing with busy working professionals means being available when they are. I offer students the ability to speak with me in the evenings or at the weekend. Restricting them to during working hours means it will be difficult for them to concentrate on the conversation and may even result in them cutting short the conversation. Being prepared and setting a convenient time for both of you will help build a good foundation to build a relationship on.
Charles,
Several people say they can multi-task. Yet, the question remains whether or not they have given the person the due respect of a conversation between two people. We should be looking at them!
Patty Aronoff
Kevin,
Active listening is key in admissions. We need to be actively listening in order to make sure there are clear understandings of the material presented.
Patty Aronoff
When I speak to a student one on one, I give the student all my attention. I am not on the computer, answering calls or making them. Nor am I floundering around with papers and files. I listen to what the student has to saw, answer any questions they may have and finish up with my own comments. I’ll then ask questions of my own that the student may not have asked or thought about. Once we have a clear understanding of the conversation, then I like to discuss the goals and continuing plans. This helps me make that important connection with the student and trust is then beginning to be built.
From my experience showing the student that you truly are there to listen to what they have to say, make sure that the program is a good fit for them and to show them that you can relate to them in away that is comforting. But always be the first to listen to what they have to say instead of just talking over them to say what you want.
Alice,
Showing that you care extends beyond the initial enrollment. Check in on your students as they progress and see how things are going. They are also an excellent source for personally developed leads.
Patty Aronoff
Definetely being a good listener, show that you CARE and motivate the student to accomplish their goal and guide them to the right program is a key for the student not to just show for the appointment but to a possibly enroll.
Denise,
I think your post really puts it into a great perspective. We're being informative but we're also being motivational and the final part of this conversation is definitely the assessment to see if we are communicating properly.
Patty Aronoff
I believe that speaking with students is part motivational to move them through the admissions process, but mostly educational to give them the correct information that they need about our institution and what it means to be a student here. It is important to find out if the student's needs will be met by our university and whether or not the student will be happy in their profession upon graduation. Part of it is assessment to make sure that the student is capable of being successful in the program, too. Several factors contribute to interaction with students that will lead to a mutually beneficial outcome.
Casey,
We all love a crowd cheering us on and being there when we cross the finish line.
Patty Aronoff
Motivating them to the end goal.
Pairing with what Patty said about "Active listening" comes the ability to pick up on subtle cues. We can listen all we want, but we have to really break a lot of what we hear down quickly.
Does the prospective student sound happy? Do they sound frusturate? Do they sound older or younger? Do they sound like they may need a legal guardian to assist? Do they sound like they might be an international student? All of these things help lead you into the next question and then the next question and so on.
These questions give you more control of the call and create a conversation with the prospect. From there you can pick up on their situation and can help with knowing how you should use your vocal intonation, your wording, your next line of questioning, your humor or seriousness and so forth.
Listening and quickly processing in this manner most often can lead to creating feelings of trust, excitement and curiousity.
Alana,
Active listening, get to know them, make it easy. Push to the right stage.
Patty Aronoff
