Schools giving us a bad reputation
I have found that when dealing with a few potential students, they have told me for example: "i just visited school X, they told me that your schools program isnt long enough to be considered a valid program to apply for the state license test for medical assisting" or " school x told me your students dont get jobs". I always focus on our positives and disprove what was being told to them and NEVER bash the other school. What other suggestions would you have in handling a situation like this?
i think it is a matter of doing your best to state that your school has certian placement rate from you caeer placement department. obviously you cannot give them specific details but I'm sure you have decent placement rates and you must do your best to not get "inot the mud" with theother schools
Unfortunately, it's not ony the representatives themselves that may be perpetuating untruths. At times, family and other acquaintances of the prospective students may have latched onto something untrue and advised those around them.
As many have stated, the best approach is to maintain professionalism. The best thing one can do is to stay above such tactics, and hopefully the integrity involved will allow for linking up with the right students.
Generally a basic statement such as "It's unfortunate that you heard incorrect information; the reality is that our school....." corrects the problem while maintaining professionalism and not bashing the other school(s) in return.
Bad mouthing Universities is detromental not only to the other instituitions but to the institution you are working for as well. It makes the representive seem immature and deceiving.
I agree that living with yourself is more important than getting another student in a seat. I have found that a serious student looks past the gossip and does their own research.
I have worked in Admissions for a few years and it has been an eye opening experience to see how some recruitment practices can be tarnished while working with students. I have heard many statement from potential students that have would be considered a False statement or promise to them a certain expectation when in reality you cannot promise any guarantee’s. Like others have said I will not fall prey to the practice of false soliciting or over promising a career or particular amount on the Return on their Investment. Because I still will have to live with myself once that student leaves.
This is one of the most difficult objectives to overcome with students. I always invite my students to take the "Pepsi Challenge". I tell them we're here to help them make the best decision and bad mouthing other universities would make us less credible.
I would simply say to the prosepective student, I have no knowledge of this schools reputation that you're mentioning, but I would suggest that you always asked fact-finding questions; such as what are your placement rates, can you tell me about your retention and what are some of the reasons that students drop and not finish their program? Take a tour of the school so you can get an idea of the diversity of the student body. You can generally get a feeling about the atmosphere when you come in the building starting with the receptionist, or the Administrative Assistant, who sets the stage, she's your first encounter. If she's friendly and personable, that's usually a good indication of what's to come. I can't tell you how much I value our secretary and her competency. When she leaves the area or on vacation I cringe. We sometimes forget the value of the person until there away and we don't have access to there skill or expertise. The phone is essential to the caller and their feelings about you, the representative of the school, and how you handled their call.
I agree there is never any reason to badger another school, just present your school with integrity and honesty and everything else will speak for itself. "You're in the driver's seat, proceed with caution in navigating the direction of others. "SOLID INFORMATION"!
There are no benefits for slanderingf another school for oyur personal gain for an enrollment. You've compromised your intergrity and character. The individual that'sistening to the slander is thinking if they will go out of their way to talk about another school what whould they say about me. People value their confidentiality and privacy. It's not difficult to determine that person's desperate for an enrollemnt and that is when you've lostr the respect of the applicant and they make promises that they'll come back and they "NO-SHOW" there appointment with no intention of meeting you, because you lack the character that as humans we seek in other humans that are in roles to disseminate information with clarity and accuracy. It's not our role to demeanor our competition. People have choices and there's certainly plenty of schools to choose from. It goes back to the basics. Present your program and use your personality that's the bottom line. Learn to listen and respond accordingly.
I agree - never put down the competition , simply highlight your own school
I believe that when you are well prepared with answers that are the truth then what others say won’t matter much. Focusing on the fact that they were willing to meet with you, return or answer your call once hearing the negative or misleading information about your school or programs says that you have made a strong enough impact on them that they are not just willing to take what they have heard and run away with it. Although it make be frustrating to always be on the defense it can be used as just another opportunity to show the prospect what your school is all about
there will always be someone that will want to create a negative under tone regarding their competitors reputation. However, when you are confident and knowledgable of your craft, you provide evidence of your scools performance and retention rate as well as past and future testimonies of graduates, and that in itself speaks volumes. Our placement Director provides me with a list of students and where they are working and start dates which is very impressive to the prospective student. Need I say anymore.
By taking the high road and respecting other institutions (regardless what they do) will put your school above the rest. Students tend to remember the negative comments more than the positive ones because they are looking for the proof. As long as you are ethical, the proof will appear with little effort. Like many others, I can sleep at night knowing I am honest, moral, and ethical every day I sit behind my desk. That's the only way to be when one is in education.
Every school has positive and negative feedback from students, media etc. How we as agents approach the feedback is the key. Focusing on positives and not putting down the other school will show we respect our competition as we expect the competition to do the same.
Being honest and ethical with a prospective student is SO much more important than getting them to enroll. If they find you lied, they'll never again trust you. But bottom line: I'm the one who looks at my face in the mirror daily.
We are a nursing schoola and always direct the student to the Ohio Board of Nursing website to asses which schools are right for them according to the school's standing with the OBN first.
I agree you should never bash another school it's unprofessional. Knowing the stats on your school and giving the potential student all the informaiton they need to make an informed decision is what should be done in every case.
I agree, if you are well knowledged about your institution, this will put the potential student at ease. They will feel more confident about the decision they're making, and will be more focused to make a sound decision based on the repersenatives knowledge. The rep is the guide.
Typically, I have found the agents that are bashing another institution do not have the actual data and facts to relay accurately. A solid overview of your organization will typically put the prospective student as ease and will allow them to make a good decision based on their individual circumstances.
