How much to tell a student
I talk to students in the High Schools, but my job is just to collect interest cards. Sometimes students have questions that I cannot answer for them because I am not their Admin Rep. Usually I tell the student to ask the Admin Rep for the program they want to enroll in. Is that sufficient?
The best policy is to always refer the prospective student to the valuable resource. Such as the admission rep. or even if the student has a question regarding coursework, then the instructor would be the best source.
Always tell them the truth and do not try to answer questions that you don't know the answers for.
Yes, I agree. In this situation, the best thing to do is to refer the student to an Admissions Representative. This way the student can get accurate information and you are not held responsible for any miscommunication.
I feel that honesty is the best policy. I don't speak to a Dependent student without their parent being there with them. I notice that some dependent's say that they understand what you tell them about their financial aid, but come back to you later and say that they didn't. This is also true with some Independent students. I try not to let them leave my office if I see uncertainty in their face expression. I let them know that they can feel free to ask me anything that they want to know concerning their financial aid. I do this, because I want them to have all the fact's concerning their financial aid, because I know that this is money that they do have to repay back.
I also refer propective students to the admissions rep with any questions I am not able to answer. I advise to them I do not have the answer to the question.
This is why providing potential students with 100% accurate information is so important for your college. If your asked a question that you are unsure of always seek help from your manager. Also make sure you have the most up to date info to give out to your students.
I agree the admissions department are the most equipped to answer questions about the programs that are offered by the school. However, in certain instances the admssions reps should always feel comfortable reaching out the directors of a given program. A department chair of a specific program will probably have multiple years of training in the field. Instead of giving a student false or misleading information, it's always better to check your resources before giving out too much info.
I feel the student needs to understand everything. I want to build trust and a good relationship with the student and the parents. Helping them understand all aspects of the process will accomplish that.When I come with taht mind set I will meet all the rules.
Yes, I would tell the prospective student that there are on campus admissions representatives or admission departments that can help further answer any questions specific to that campus.
Excellent response, Ron! I tell students I am not at their school to conduct a question & answer session, mostly because I do not know the answers. This is why I urge them to write their questions on the back of the cards.
Wendy,
You closed with the question: Is that sufficient? My thoughts:
It is absolutely proper to refer a student to the appropriate resource when you do not have a properly researched answer to their question. You are wise to resist the urge to give some sort of response....you want them to have an answer after all. But, keep resisting.
However, you can give them something very important to take away from the interchange with you...praise for taking the time to find out which program, which school, which experience is best suited for them.
Not being sure of the correct information (and the authority to release it)is a common occurence when you are "collecting interest cards". What an opportunity to reinforce with the student the necessity to do research..good and complete research....as they consider how to continue their education after high school. Your extra comments can make a difference...without answering a question incorrectly.
I agree that potential students generally are so unsure and nervous. Many of them have tried college before and were not successful. Many feel as if they may not be able to do it. Having a trained admissions rep with the accurate information is the key to helping these individuals be more at ease with their decisions. I love seeing a student go through the transformation of being nervous to being excited. To me, this is the indication that I have done my job well and fully informed that student of everything I needed to.
I definitely agree with this. Most students that we see are afraid or unsure or maybe even not motivated enough to do the research themselves so taht is our job in a lot of cases. I always give them the answer i have to the best of my ability and if i am unsure i look it up or ask the right person. From that point i make sure to explain WHY the answer is that way and in most cases WHY that benefits the potential student if it does. For example; the biggest question i get is about accredidation and credits transferring. I like to make sure that the potential student gets a full understanding of what accredidation means and then i explain ours and the importance of it. Once the student sees taht you care enough to spend teh time making sure they understand, they usually come to school based on the customer service they received.
Christine,
As an admissions rep. I think that it is an excellent idea to refer student to admissions reps we are best trained and equipped to answer questions that the student may have abut registering.
Alice Smith
Your right Patricia about the student who is well informed being a better student, it makes them feel so much more invested in their education and future.
If I get a question that I cannot answer, I let the potential student know that I'll research the answer and get back with them. With younger students especially, many of them would not take the initiative to call and speak to an admissions representative if the person they're currently speaking to isn't able to help.
I agree. You have to be careful what you say to students in regards to financial aid and accreditation, too. If the student misunderstands or you inadvertantly misspeak it can cause major problems down the road. Stick to what you know! I always let students know that if I don't have an answer I will find the person who does.
A student needs to know the truth about the school. Being accredited is very important when seeking employment. If a stuent gets a degree and can't use it in the state that they live in would be aweful. The cost of the program is also important. Having a get deal of student loans to pay back is something that a person needs to think about.
I feel that it is very important that the student is well informed about what they are getting into,when they have been well informed they tend to make better students, they know what they will be getting into by way of funding and the know what is expected of them in course time and work. I dont know if this keeps them in school but we have a better chance of that happening.
