We have an admission assessment to ensure that students are minimally qualified to attend the programs. We also have a background check standard for our Pharmacy Technician standard as it is highly unlikely that a student will find employment with certain convictions on their background in that program.
Our perspective students are required to take an assessment test that provides us with a clear picture of what the applicant has retained in thier math, english and keyboarding skills. It allows us to direct those who are weak in one of these applications to our prepatory or remedial classes in that particular genre. We have also developed our interview process to pin point strengths and weaknesses that will relate to the program they intend on completing. We try to make certain they understand what that particular career is truly about and not just the picture the applicant may have painted for themselves from false or faulty research.
Bradley, that is very similar to how we approach our students as well. We do have an assessment each student must take prior to starting class but that is not the only indicator of potential success. I feel that many times lack of attendance is a larger issue than lack of intellectual ability. By solely relying on an assessment we are not helping the student with all the issues that may arise during attendance. Setting this expectation up front is mutually beneficial for the student and the school.
We have increased the number of times we contact each new student, discussing in more detail the course requirements as well as their educational background before they start the program.
During the interview we discuss the prospective student's background, experience, past education and employment to determine how they might "fit" into a particular career training program. Recently our college expanded the computer IT program by adding (2) new programs and refurbishing the original one. We have added a computer IT evaluation/test prior to enrollment to determine a prospective student's understanding and abilities with computers.
We challange the students on level of commitment to studying and homework time to see where they are in the stages of success. We also have an entrance assessment that is mandatory that the students take in order to make sure that academically they may be successful rather than just letting them start class and be an open enrollment program.
We do have to review with each student to make sure they qualify to be able to apply to go to school. There are several questions we have to review in order for them just to apply.
Our institution requires us to do a thorough interview of the student candidate. We make sure that they have the prerequisite level of education and the means with which to do their coursework online. We spend time getting to know who the candisate is; asking lots of questions. We also give them plenty of opportunities to ask any question so that we know they are making an informed decision about the programs they will be starting. This way the person can confirm or rule ou whether this is a good decision for hem on their part.
Ensuring a "good fit" has always been a key component of my institution's admissions interviews. Ongoing trainings and asking difficult questions to present a realistic idea of what it will take to be successful are areas of focus and have been well received.
Our institution references helpful website students can access to review information provided by the department of labor's website. We include career exploration questions in the interview to learn more about their interests so we can help guide them toward reputable resources for their career fields. It's important for students to be aware of industry requirements for prospective careers they're interested in prior to enrolling in a program.
Our school has implemented a coaching team that will help our students to be successful. They will work with our students specially the three first quarters, through their struggles, concerns, fears, academically and much more making sure they are having a great start and getting them ready to succeed in college.
No immediate changes have been made to our admissions process. However, one thing we have done to increase placement rates is contracted a company to reach out to our first, second, and third quarter students. These individuals reaching out are called coaches. These coaches are in addition to the in-house financial aid, career, and academic support that we offers. The new coaches will talk with students about life situations and struggles the students are having and help them overcome obstacles. This can range from helping them overcome a loss of a close relative or friend, time management, or just everyday stress management. The numbers a crossed the nation indicate that if a student sits through their first 2-3 terms they have a much greater chance of graduating. By offering the coaches for the students first three quarter this should greatly not only increase the placement rate but father more should increase the college's graduation rate as well.
We have put a stronger emphasis on bringing back students who have withdrawn. The purpose is to help set previously unsuccessful students up with a plan to be successful and complete their dream. The re-entry interview puts more focus on what happened to cause them to be not as successful in previous quarters; and on the flip side, what changes has the student made/will the student make upon re-enrollment to ensure continual success.
Our school just recently put in place tougher admissions requirements for our Surgical Tech Program. Potential students must meet certain benchmarks on their Compass Assessment prior to being admitted into the program. They are trying to ensure that students success.
I believe that Nichole has stated it very well. Although these test do not determine their acceptance we can, and need to, use them to determine a path to their success. These tests can help us identify both areas of strenghts and weaknesses.
At the campus I work for a lot of focus on the students willingness to graduate and work is important. Outside of this, where academic success is concerned, we have an evaluation that helps us to determine the students need of additional academic support that may be needed.
The college that I work for now has a standard for our ST program of certain scores on our assessment.
Yes, we are told over and over that we are able to contribute to the opinion for acceptance. Misdemeanors, felonies, could exclude a student from certain programs and we discuss this as they are to answer this question on the application. If a student tells me they don't want to be around body fluids, we encourage them to consider a program other than a patient care program. we have a thorough "Interview Guide" we use specifically for a more concise screening process. The aim is not to keep students out, but to enroll students who are serious about their education and have a goal and mind and a career path chosen.
It is very important to interview the potential student before enrolling them to make sure they are a good fit for the school and they meet the requirements for enrolling.
