I think the best way to address questions about another school is to let the potential student know that the question they are asking is a good question but in reference to the other institution refer them to contact that istitution for accurate information. After doing this I would give the potential student the information about my school that they were requesting information about.
I always encourage potential students that I'm working with to do their research. My confidence in my institution allows me not to be fearful that they will choose a competitor after participating in our Admissions process. However, I have also done my own research on my institution's competitors and know the areas that I can tout with students that I believe will set my institution apart from the others.
Talk to your school's strength. Never belittle your competition. But you don't have to praise them either. Just speak to what your school does.
More than anything just be honest about what you’re school offers. I tell students what we can offer them and how we do it. Then I let them make the best decision for themselves, I also believe that since are school is focused in nursing that we offer a program that prepares student to the best of their abilities in that field.
I agree and that is how we handle questions at our school.
If a prospective student asks about another school, we will state that they should contact that school for those specific questions. Then proceed with asking if there are any other questions they have related to our institution.
When speaking with potential students, I always invite them in for an appointment and tour. I remind them that "I want to provide them with all the information they need to make a decision about attending our school." I explain that I want to show them our impressive classrooms and labs, the beautiful campus, and for them to meet our staff and instructors (if possible). This shows our potential students that we are proud of our school and we offer full transparency.
I think it is important to maintain competitive by always encouraging potential students to consider all of their options and do as much research as they see fit. It is important to give students correct and accurate information so that they are fully informed and feel confident about their decision. While being approached about other schools I usually say that I can't speak for any other insitution other than my own. I try my best to think back to what their intitial needs were during our interview and highlight what my school has to offer.
It can be very difficult to handle specific questions about how your programs compare to the same type programs at other schools. What may seem like a very innocent question, can lead to big trouble. I find it’s best to focus only on the programs at your institution and recommend that they contact the other school for information about what they have to offer.
If your confident in your program talk about your program.
You want to highlight your school's strengths and areas that you excel at. Challenge the student to find out the other school's strengths and then compare to see what would fit them the best.
John,
We often deal with students and their friends who have gone to one or more competitors; therefore are always comparing and contrasting various institutions during their inital appointment. Do you have any good strategies for dealing with this ?
This has to be the most frustrating thing. When I have students come to the school, and you get - the other school said this and that.
I just don't see the need to do this. If you are the better school - then explain why, putting a negative spin on it, will just bite you on the butt
While this can be a difficult question to answer I feel that honesty would be the best policy. Bashing other schools is simply not acceptable. Focus on the positive of the school you are representing leaving other schools alone. Simply you aren't representing them.
I always focus on discussing the benefits of our institute instead of discussing other schools. I encourage prospective students to contact other schools to have those questions answered.
I completely agree w/this! I often highlight specifics about we offer. I encourage them to do research if they're really on the fence, but I also like to make them remember specific things they are looking for that we have, or things they were excited about
Most of the time, students will bring up the other institution that offers the same program we do and want to talk about it. I just listen to what they say and make a general comment depending on if they are speaking positively about it or negatively. If its negative, I just say that's unfortunate and we move on in the discussion. If its positive, then I just say, that's good to hear. If they want to go deeper, I typically suggest for them to see the other school. I also inform them that many people see a few schools and apply to a couple so they have options. This typically moves the conversation forward.
Make sure to focus on all the positive that your institution has to offer. Most of the time the prospective student will like your positively over the negatively.
Tuition costs should not be spoken of from other Schools. Prospective students should be asked to contact other schools if they have any concerns or questions. It is not up to our Representatives to give out that information. We should never compare schools.
I tell the student I don't know the specifics about other schools' programs, so they need to contact that school.
