I think it is important for a student to look at all their options. I feel encouraging a student to do their research is positive and can even build a strong trust between each other.
Encourage students to research other schools on their own to determine the best fit for them.
I always tell the potential student who is asking on information about a competitor that I am not employed with that organization. For that reason, I encourage you to talk to someone who is educated on the organization because I do not want to provide you with false information. I also follow up with some features that our school does have to offer and that I would be happy to answer any questions they may have for me about our school.
I always suggest students check out all places of interest. I do this because I am confident that would school and their program they are interested will speak for themselves.
The best way is to reiterate why you feel that "your" campus stands out above the rest.
Expand on your features and benefits...and apply them to the student.
Be clear and honest and exploit all features and benefits of your institution.
Ask them what they think, what their experiences are with others and then explain our school again.
I welcome them to compare with competitors. It is good to compare apples to apples. If you lay it out for them and they know what to expect, they will come to your school.
Emphasis what your school excels at. Emphasis what programs your school offers and the technology and uniqueness of your school.
Honesty is the best policy.
We simply stress what we feel are our own approaches and features, and what we feel the benefits of those approaches and features are. If the student is looking for something else, or has other decision criteria, they can arrive at their own conclusions. That said, our interview and info exchange narrative is VERY thorough. If all they want is the cheapest route to a piece of paper, we won't be for them. Often we interview students who are fugitives from other institutions, and it often surfaces that the contrasts are striking and speak for themselve. They already have their experience of the other institution to go on, so we don't even have to suggest the differences. We stress what WE offer, and the students are well able to arrive at their own conclusions, be they positive or negative by comparison.
It is important to focus on the attributes of our school when having discussions with students. If we only talk about our school and why we believe they will receive a great education, there shouldn't even be a conversation about another school. Keeping our students engaged in all things related to our institution is the best route.
one thing that I do is say " I respect every learning institution and I have no idea what their policy or procedures are" but here at our school this is what we do and why.
I simply focus on my school and the benefits that students can have when they attend here. It is not neccessary to talk about schools because students can do their research.
We encourage students to explore all avenues. Visit schools, touch and see- ask questions I.E. what is involved in the classroom, and the lab portion. What projects will I make in the lab and are they relevant to my future and career. Am I going to learn in a real-life environment?
We just try to speak of our strengths and we feel make us stand out without saying anything about the other schools. I have had students try to push and we just tell them that we can not speak about what another school does or does not do.
You are absolutely correct. Students are about to make a substantial investment in themselves and their futures. Therefore, they should be encouraged to do their due diligence and the appropriate amounts of research in order to make that informed decision. If it is with one school, that's cool, and if it is with another, so be it.
I think just speaking of your institution is the right thing to do, let the student tour your facility, see your accredations and make their own decission on where to complete program. Never talk about another institution.
We are trained to not answer questions about competing school but instead refer the student to that school and do their own research
The best way I have found to handle competitor questions is to simply outline what your school offers to support students, and remind the potential student that it is not our policy to speak about what other institutions offer, but encourage them to do their research and decide what is the best route for their personal education. What is in the best interest of the student.
