How to address a comparison to another school.
Obviously we are not to portray a negative light on any other school. However, I have found that there are some students who really want me to compare my school to another. I have always told them that I am only informed on my school and our programs, and proceeded by giving them facts about my school. Does anyone else come across this situation? How do you handle it?
This is a very well put explanation to this question. My thoughts were the same. Never speak negatively about another school and do the best you can to ensure that your school is the best fit for the prospective student.
I agree I get this often. I tell the student I dont know the others schools programs or what they have to offer I only have information on my school.
I let them know that I cannot speak on the procedures and offerings of other schools, and also say something like, "Any education is good, but as you're considering options, you may want to keep this in mind about our school..." and go on to bring the conversation back to your school and maybe some benefits that they may not have realized based on their question.
I agree! I think to be safe it is beneficial to advise the student to research those types of statistics on their own. It keeps you safe from any potential accusations and helps the students discover what they value in Higher Education institutions!
I believe this is a good way to approach the subject as well. Yes, we want a student to choose our school. However, it's important that a student takes the time to research and decide if our school is the best fit for him/her. There's no need to pressure someone. Allowing them to make the comparisons between schools is very important. All we can do is present our school in the best possible light, and encourage them to seek out answers from the other schools. If we are supportive of the STUDENT, then than that support can say a lot about our school.
If a student likes a particualr aspect of a different school, I will be sure to clarify that point and then respond with what my school has to offer that would fulfill that same aspect. If I don't offer something that is comparable, then I will ask the student what else he or she might be interested in.
I think that it is best to allow the student to determine if the school I am representing is best for them. I stick to the facts about what my school has to offer and whenever they are looking for a comparison, like many of you stated, I encourage them to go online or contact the other schools to find out what those schools have to offer.
I appreciate reading everyone's responses given to this question as a new agent. I like the fact that everyone is respecting each others schools by not degrading the college of the students interest. I, as well, will focus on giving positive information and facts about my college, and will direct each student to visit and inquire about other colleges that interests them.
I definitely agree with the tactic of stressing positive elements of the school in order to distract a potential compliance issue. Many times presenting this information can bring up subjects that the student may have not even thought about prior to the visit. When this is happens and a student becomes excited over positive information, steering from the school comparison is a piece of cake.
I agree with you. Educating prospective students on how to gather information on other schools in order to make their own comparisons will leave less of a chance on " buyers remorse" down the road.
By presenting your school and all it has to offer is the best presentation. It shows the programs and school in a positive light.
I come across this quite often. I'll have a student sitting at my desk who wants to leave their current school & come to mine. He/she is either fed up w/ their current instructors or their schedule isn't flexible. I make it a point NEVER to discredit any other school, only to give as much accurate & up-to-date info as I can about my school. I find that many students want me to tell them to leave & I won't do that. What I do however is ask them what is it that they're looking to change.
Yes Nathaniel, I also get this question from parents as well-I tell them that the best way to get a good comparison is to look the school up on-line or see if they may offer home visits like my school
Re: I would explain to the student that I really can not speak on the behalf of another school due to me not working there, but to show I am fully supportive I would still encourage them to research or look futhur into their questions and concerns on other schools.
I think that you have a vital point when you mention the parents getting involved. Most time when a potential student comes to visit a school they don't come alone. They bring their wives, their husbands, their parents, sometimes even their kids. You can't just tunnel your focus directly at the prospective student, you have to show caring and understanding for the people close to them as well because while the student may not be quick to judge your character the other person could. Being ethical, knowledgeable, reasonable, and showing understanding towards all parties involved is crucial in helping those people make the right decisions.
That is exactly what we say. And truthfully I don't work at the other schools so I can't talk about them or address questions about other schools, although in our industry there are not a lot of schools still in business.
I think you have a great approach. Having confidence in the institution and the services you can provide will go a long with students. Ultimately, we are here for the students and looking out for their best interest so allowing them to compare schools is only fair to them.
I get this question fairly often. I tell them that the best way to compare courses is to request a detailed course outline from the other school they are considering and compare it to ours.
I feel that students often come to me talking about their negative experiences at another school. I neither confirm or deny it (since I don't know)and let them have their own opinions of the other schools and then if they mention something specifically bad about one school I try to emphasize the positives of our school in that area.
I agree, I really don't like to make comparisons with other schools. However, when a student is inquiring about specific questions, like tuition or credit transfers, I tell them what, specifically, they should be looking for in other schools to make a fair comparison themselves.
For example, if they are comparing tuition, they need to also take into account any other reoccurring fees along with the amount of credits needed to graduate.
I think it is important to share as much information as I have with the student, regarding my school specifically and how school works generally.
