interview process
should personal questionsbe include on the interview questioner? for example: do you have a person who can help you afford school payments in a situation you lost your job?
Elizabeth,
Conducting a solid interview is part of the admissions process. We need to ask those hard questions so that we can provide the information that they need in making their decision.
Patty Aronoff
Michele,
I am sure that your students respect you for that time and dedication you put forth in their venture.
Patty Aronoff
I agree. I ask a lot of questions to discern if the prospective student has the ability to be successful, whether it is finances, scheduling, prior education experiences, and support. That way there are no surprises down the road.
This is so true. I feel that the students are my number 1 responsibility and their needs come first. I am always available and even though I have only been performing these duties for a short time, I am amazed at the connection I have with the students. I can only hope I will be a memorable part of their experience and I never do anything that will negatively affect them. We are very careful not to place students in the program that may fail. Once they are accepted, I am and will continue to be their biggest cheerleader!
Kincie,
Probing questions provide opportunity for further introspection. If we ask closed ended questions there's no conversation
Patty Aronoff
This is very true; probing questions are needed in building rapport in your initial interview.
Jennifer,
Great advice! You can still get to point B without plowing through in a negative stance. They will come to the same result but yet have a better respect for you as an admissions representative.
Patty Aronoff
For our private institution, instead of probing questions that may not be warranted, we use other arenas to show where the applicant stands. For example, we may speak of the cost of tuition, and financial aid would tell them their payment options and note that, "credit scores will be used to influence student loan amounts". That way, we are not coming out and saying, "if you have bad credit, you won't get a loan, thus not get in". You must always be cautious of your verbiage and give them most appropriate answers as to not discriminate.
Heather,
Instructors really know the program and the career be a huge asset to commissions in the admissions process. However, they do need to understand there are many things that you cannot say during the interviewing process.
Patty Aronoff
Admissions interviews at our university are administered by the instructors/professionals in the field who work with or at the university directly. They are given a rubric for 7 areas that we have defined would provide relevant information about the student's potential success in our school and the profession as a whole. That I am aware of, personal questions like finances and such are excluded to avoid discrimination. We leave those conversations to the admissions and financial aid coordinators to discuss with potential students since they are trained properly to do so and stay compliant (and hopefully not offend anyone).
Arlin,
Be Clear and make sure that the student understands the information you provided. This is all about transparency and clear understanding.
Patty Aronoff
My response to that question would be it depends, because you have to be careful where not to cross the line.
Renee,
Probing questions tells us so much more about the students. Not everyone is open to sharing and we need to get to that point to make sure that we have the right fit.
Patty Aronoff
We always discuss how we can probe for answers without being in compliance. We also look for red flags and only discuss what our job entails
Andrew,
The more we know our student, the better prepared we are to serve them. The relationship that we build as prospective student and admissions representatives will carry throughout their education.
Patty Aronoff
The number one thing i have learned in my years in admissions is, get to know your student during the interview. many think they are ready and know what they want but in some cases the only thing they know is what a friend or family member told them. Information is important for the prospect.
Cheryl,
Excellent practice. Not all students are ready to go to school and are prepared for the rigors of the programs.
Patty Aronoff
Our institution is does ask a lot of personal questions that are geared at determining if the applicant has what it takes to succeed in the program and has the right personality to successfully be placed upon graduation. We are careful not to cross legal boundaries and ask all candidates the same questions so that the selection process is fair.
Greyci,
You have to be careful on how you ask questions. Go over these with your Director of Admissions to be sure you are following the correct questions.
Patty Aronoff
