Thanks Sharon. Numerous feedback from students has proved this point over and again. They truly appreciate it and are more likely to come here and give you referals.
Sangeetha, that is a great point. Yes, you want to parter with your students to make sure that attending your school is the indeed the best decision for the student or perhaps there is another option that is better for that student. Having that realization will allow you and the student to have a great relationship based on trust.
Shannon Gormley
It is crucial to discuss all options with prospective students and to determine what may be the best fit for each individual. It is important to acknowledge a student's needs and make sure that your school is indeed a good fit.
Well stated, Yolanda. Ultimately, it's all about the student and what will work best for them to be successful. I love the fact that you still see yourself as contributing to their success by helping them to determine what will work best for them. Bravo!
Shannon Gormley
I do not mind exploring options with the student because in the end you want them all to be a success and if that means at another school, you still have contributed to their career success.
Edwin, absolutely! It truly sounds like you are looking out for the student's best interest and are motivated to partner with them to make the best decision for them.
Shannon Gormley
I believe that my job as a good counselor is to gave the right anwser to the Prospect and be honset to them. If I care about the Prospect future I will help them to chosse the right college that will be the best for them.
Janet,
Exploring all options with your prospective students allows you the opportunity to truly demonstrate your desire to assist your students in helping them decide what is best for them. When you do this, there is a greater likelihood that your students will trust you to also help their friends and family make a decision regarding school. Great awareness, Janet!
Shannon Gormley
It is important to advice to as many prospects as possible because possibility of referrals and in case a prospect changes their mind.
The students success is my main goal. If our school is not fit for them, I help point them in the right direction. I never want a student to enroll if they are not 100% sure this is what they want.
Brian,
You could probably count on referrals either way! Students truly appreciate having someone that is looking out for them and their best interests, even if that means NOT attending your school. Keep up the great work.
Shannon Gormley
Brian,
Absolutely. Acting with integrity when working with students is absolutely imperative. It's always good practice to be honest and up front, especially when it's apparent that our school isn't a match for the student. What are some resources you might offer in this situation?
Shannon Gormley
It's all about integrity. Not to mention, the students then do some serious soul searching. After they have had a chance to think over it, they will either come back ready to go and succeed or go elsewhere but happy. If they come back, count on referrals!
Honesty really. The process is meant to determine if the campus is a right fit and also if they are a right fit. If one does not add up, then we tell them. No sense in enrolling a student that we know will not be successful. Sets them up to fail. Not a good practice, wouldn't you agree?
Thanks for your insight, Brian. I get the sense that you take your role in helping students make their own best decisions very seriously. I'm sure your students appreciate the time you take to understand their needs and explore ideas that they may have for meeting those needs. I'm curious, if you find that your school is not a good fit for the student, how do you typically address this with him/her?
Shannon Gormley
I am totally in agreeance with sharing everything with the student. The role of an admissions rep, in my humble opinion, is to assess their needs and help them identify a way to obtain their goals. Whether or not our school is the right fit makes no difference, its all about helping the student gather the information so they can decide what works best for them at the end of the day.
Great approach, Keith. I'm sure your students appreciate the opportunity to explore all of their options to make the best decision for them. Keep up the good work!
This is what I do because the student and I together need be certain that our school is the best fit for them. If it is not a good fit, then having them in our school is not a positive. A bad fit can lead to a drop, bad publicity", no future referrals, etc.
You're absolutely right, Rosa. Students want to have control over their own destiny. It sounds like you work with your students to formulate their plan for getting there. Thanks for sharing.
When a prospect seats on my desk what they are looking for are "alternatives". They come completely disoriented not knowing how to reach their goals. All I have to do is listen to their needs and then I draw for them a map of what they can do but ALWAYS allowing them to have the final word in what will be their future. People need to feel they are the ones in control of their final say, not me.
