I listen to their reasons of why they want to study and depending of their life story or what they tell me, then I pop any question related to their dreams, goals, challenges.
Roberta, thanks for sharing these questions. It sounds like you ask open-ended questions to get the students talking. This gives you insight into what they find important and can facilitate conversations around those topics.
Dr. Jean Norris
I like to ask them how long the've been interested in the program as well as Where they see themselves going with this career. It gets them to talk about what is important to them as well as how a family member or friend has told them that they would be good at it. This lets me know what type of support system is available to them or not. What they hope to achieve lets me get a glimpse of their vision/dream so I can come back to that whenever there is a need to. This shows me their pervceived value in what we have to offer them
Pamela, thanks for sharing this open-ended question. This will certainly get the student talking and engaging with you.
Dr. Jean Norris
I love 'what about the profession MOTIVATES you to be a part of it'. It opens the discussion up to an emotional aspect... I like to see people get passionate about a subject. Once they open it to how they feel, conversation flows more easily.
johnny,
These are some good ones. What are the answers you typically get from these questions?
Dr. Jean Norris
Pegah,
These are interesting questions and as you point out...they will help YOU understand their goals and why they came in - which is really important. What is your prospective student doesn't know the answers though?
Dr. Jean Norris
I like to ask a prospective student what it was that inspired them to seek out a higher institution of learning to begin with. What are they seeking to accomplish in life and how can I help them acheive their goal.
I'd ask, what lead them to chose this career path. Or, have you had any experience working in this industry before? Where do you see yourself working in the future?
These questions will help me understand the students' goals and why they decided to come in to meet with us.
Christie thanks for sharing these questions. Using open-ended questions like these will certainly get the students talking. I wonder, how do you find your students respond to these questions?
Dr. Jean Norris
How long have you been considering continuing your education? What is inspiring you to pursue this NOW?
I like to ask a student what interest them in the certain program they are looking at and what challenages they may face when returning to school. This helps me see what inspired them to explore this career field, as well as what may hold them back from going forward with it.
Sharon, great point, especially if you know their friend or family member, right? This will certainly help break the ice too. What other examples of questions do you have?
Dr. Jean Norris
I like to ask; So how did you hear about our school.
I like to ask this question as an "Ice Breaker". Alot of our business comes from referals. So if they were refered by a friend or family member, I build the "Meaningful Relationship" right away.
Sawami,
These are both great open ended questions that allow your student to provide details surrounding the topic.
Shannon Gormley
eiko,
Thanks for sharing one of the questions you use to explore your student's environment. Using both closed and open ended questions allows you to explore the student's environment as well as help move the student forward in their decision making process. By tweaking your question a little, you can give your student the opportunity to respond with more information. For example, "what is it that excites you about going to school?"
Dr. Jean Norris
What kind of class did you attend in previous school? How did you like it?
Akiko,
Thanks for sharing your approach. It sounds as though you take your time in order to truly understand where it is your student wants to go, what they hope to accomplish and the steps they'll need to consider to get there. I also get the sense that you encourage your students to look at all of the options that are available to make a well-informed decision. Keep up the good work!
Shannon Gormley
Are you excited to go into this school or nervous?
If the next step is to go to higher education, we suggest them taking TOEFL class so that they can pass the requirement. Also with that case asking if they know when the admission starts for the college, we can plan the length of study at our school. Sometimes they don't know much about the college they are interested. I encourage them to go to school tour for the college they are interested even when they are school tour at our school so that they can draw their path of the plan.
