During our first meeting in the tour process we stop by each department and I make a point out of explaining how and what that department may be able to help the prospective student with in the future. I find that our open-door-policy allows the prospective student to address any questions or concerns with the appropriate department, Instructor or even students
Marvin,
This is great to hear. These questions are the same things students are asking EVERY school...and as long as you give them the honest answer, being mindful that we can never promise employment, you will continue to remain in compliance.
Donna Guisado
The most common questions are always:How much, How long,Do you have financial aid, Will you get me a job? What I have learned in this module just refortified all the practices that I aready use. My institution makes sure we are always with in compliance.
rudy,
Yes, you have to be cautious about what you tell the students in this regard. Never promise! I'm sure you know that already, but you must supply all the information that the student is asking for.
Donna Guisado
Most of the prospective student ask about how much they would make after graduating and getting a job, now i know i need to pull of the official wages fact sheet to show them how much our students that finish the program could make.
Dale,
I love that you do this! It really does make a difference to the students to know where all of the different departments that are here to help them succeed are located. You are 100% correct about it making them feel comfortable.
Donna Guisado
During our first meeting in the tour process we stop by each department and I make a point out of explaining how and what that department may be able to help the prospective student with in the future. I find that our open-door-policy allows the prospective student to address any questions or concerns with the appropriate department
During the tour process we stop by each department and I make a point out of explaining how and what that department may be able to help the prospective student with in the future. I find that our open-door-policy allows the prospective student to address any concerns with the appropriate department during the first appointment. I believe this allows them to feel comfortable doing so from that point on.
Shirley,
The School Performance Fact Sheets required by the state will certainly help you do this.
Donna Guisado
Prospective students are concerned with job placement, their ability to susceed. I will be sure that all available information is told to them.
Students write us about the following questions:
1.) the length of the program.
2.) The tuition
3.) Some are in high school so they write us about courses they must take before they enroll and other requirements.
4.) We get questions about housing as well.
I refer the FA questions to our Financial Aid director.
One of the most frequently asked question is "Why our school is so much cheaper and shorter in length that other schools that offer same programs. I tell prospective students that ours are certificate programs and where as some offer a degree. I also show students our Student Performance Fact Sheet.
johnny,
It is also acceptable to refer them to salary information provided on external websites, such as information provided on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.
Donna Guisado
Sarah,
Excellent point, and very interesting that prospective students are asking that question! I think the students we are seeing now are far more savvy about what is going on in the world of work than in the past. I love that you know we simply cannot guarantee them a job. That's not something that is guaranteed to anyone, really. But knowing that you have your coordinator to refer them to is another great example of team support.
Donna Guisado
One of the questions that always come up is salary and work upon graduation. I always explain the spectrum of potential salaries. Completing module 2 was an affirmation of how I conduct myself during an interview with a prospective student. I am always cautious to not over exaggerate potential incomes and emphasizing the challenges after graduation.
Aside from being asked the usual "how much is this going to cost me?" Job placement is the second most popular question prospective students ask and most of them start by asking if we can "guarantee" them a job. While they are sometimes irritated by the fact that we can't guarantee it, they become more understanding once they are able to speak with our job placement Coordinator so they can hear exactly how they will be assisted in that process.
Gil,
I think that responding by restating your own school's strengths is the best way to go. I'm not sure I'd go into mentioning "unethical practices" with a prospective student. Their thought may be why you would even need to mention it?!
Talking about your own strengths, what makes your school or programs unique, sharing the School Performance Fact Sheets that show how job placement and/or retention is for your program is the best way to go.
Donna Guisado
Some of our prospective students have asked what makes us different from our competitors. We have recently responded by restating our strengths at our campus and avoid making direct comparisons. We can however educate our prospective customer as to why we cannot engage in unethical practices such as incentify enrollment or promise placement working in their selected industry.
Victor ,
These are good and very common questions all prospective students have. Making sure that you have the most up to date information and knowledgeable support team at your school is the best way to provide the student with the answers to their questions.
Donna Guisado
Students want to know what the program will do for them. They worried about the jobs they can get. The costs is always a concern too.
