keeping updated on other schools' info
As an agent or admissions rep, I believe it would be important to stay up to date on what other schools in the area offer, as well as their strengths and weaknesses in order to know what edge your school may have. Has anyone had experience with this?
I always tell them to do their own research to determine what is going to serve them better. It is like in military recruiting if you want to know more about the Airforce they are right down the hall. Come back after you speak to them.
I want informed students and always would answer questions regarding my school. I deflect questions about other programs and universities because I do not want to be held accountable for that information. I want the students focused on the success they will have at my school.
I never discuss other schools. I only talk about our programs and our strengths. I also encourage students to do some homework and make sure they are making the right decision for them.
I agree that it is more important to focus on your own school, but being knowledgable about the other schools in your area (there are a lot of ITT Techs in my state)could never hurt. That way you have that information if you ever need it, and it provides more context for where your school fits into the larger picture.
As an Admissions Rep, I believe it is very important to stay up to date on your so called competition. With many years of experience in the education field I have found this to be a benefit. I will never talk about another school in a navigate way but, I feel the more you know about your business the better you can serve your prospect/student.
Terra,
This is a good suggestion. If a student had a bad experience at a prior school it is important to discuss how the situation at your school might be (hopefully) a better fit.
John Ware
Yes if you looked into what I mentioned I in NO WAY implied a comparison that you should do with the student. Instead, the idea is to know your school's niche...in other words know the strengths of what your school has to offer.
I did not say that you should...in fact, that would not be compliant and you would get in trouble.
David,
I believe you should ask the student how their experience was at the school they attended previosuly and highlight what your school has to offer which may be what was lacking at that other school. Also, this allows the student to address their concerns about what they are looking for in a University/College and allows you to discuss your schools' strength and weaknesses.
We are told when a student asks about other schools we just say that's great but here is what our school has to offer...
Hello David,
I do feel it is important for your own knowledge to stay up to date on what other schools offer and their strengths and weaknesses. I do not feel that you should share this information with prospective students. I think you should only highlight your own school and never talk down and degrate other schools.
John,
I agree. It's always best to focus on your own school and avoid comparisons with other institutions.
John Ware
I 100% agree with not bringing others schools information into the conversation, but also knowing what they offer is good because than we know the comparisson if it comes up.
Agreed. Often, when I am talking to a student who is transferring from another institution, they will give me a list of grievances about their current school. I find it best just to listen and say, "I'm sorry that you had that experience. I think you will be pleased with what we have to offer." I never use this as an opportunity to disparage another school, nor do I ever repeat one student's grievances about any school to another student.
It is good to know what else is out there; however, I am not going to bring into the discussion any other schools. If in the process a prospective student attempts to compare my school with what another school has, I will give them the information about my school and how it might be a good fit for them. If they want information about the other school, they need to get it from them, not me. If they already have that information, I am still going to focus on my school and let the individual make their own comparison. Is this wrong?
This is understandable and should be reasearched to give the student the best representation available.
