Competitive Advantages
If a student asks you how your institution compares to another competitive institution, what is a good way to respond to the question?
I believe the response can be handled a number of ways. Avoid using superlatives, stick to the facts about your institution and don't desparage the competition.
From my experience many have shopped other colleges and compared, which I can not blame them for wanting the best experience and price for their education. As long as we stick to what we know (which is our school not other schools) we are doing what we should.. After all they are wanting information on us so let us give that information. We have had several stories of students attending our school because of the fact our focus was on what makes us great and not how we are better than XYZ school.
Reps should not provide any comparison even if they are correct. Students need to take the respomnsibility to speak to the program director there or at the school they wish to transfer to as each school's registrar needs to make the determination for transfer credits
I would just make sure I do not say anything negative about another school. Then I would proceed to talk about my school and the programs we offer.
To let the student know that you are unfamiliar with the other school, but that you can tell them what our school offers on the subject that they are questioning.
The best way to respond is to simply discuss the school you represent and align the features of the school to what their interests are if it's a good fit. In regards to them asking about other schools, I would simply suggest they contact other schools they are interested in to compare what works best for them.
I would inform the student I can only only speak about the school I know about. I also will highlight the good parts of the institution and not down play the other school.
Great point Traci! If the student has already been to another school, or has done their research, that tells me they are serious about this next step in their life. It indicates to me that I need to point out the features and benefits of the institution I work for.
I agree with your answer Brittney. When I was working in Admissions, I would get this question regularly. Trying to promote our school's strengths while encouraging the student to do the research was how I handled it.
I agree Melissa. We never want to speak poorly about another institution, we just want to highlight the strengths of our school and want we can offer.
My answer is always "I'm not sure what they offer but this is how we do it." I high light what I believe puts our school above the rest of the trade schools in our area and let the student or candidate make their decission. I work in Career Services and I started this career after 25 years trade experience in my field. I always tell them that I chose to work for this school because I believe in the programs, and coming from an "Old Technician" it seems to carry some clout.
the response i give is that each institute is different. i get asked this question often. the answer is from a financial aid view. when it comes to a students financial aid we really cant compare. however we can inform you, the student about our school and if you did pursue an education through us. you will at least know what your financial aid breakdown would potentially look like. we can answer any financial aid questions that pertain to our campus. from there it's a matter of what opinion you form upon the information that is provided to you. ultimately its truly you, the student that has the finally say in where you want to receive your education from. just know that if you pursue enrolling and going to school here that any questions you have we will assist you to the best of our potential as well as making sure your completely ready for when school starts.
When this question has been posed to me, I have simply referred the student back to their admissions counselor. I have also stated that I was not familiar with other schools policies or what they had to offer.
Trying to compare one institution to another is not appropriate. It is better to discuss the benefits/merits of the institution's program. The potential student can then take this information and use it to assess the pros and cons of each institution.
I would respond by telling the student that while I am not sure how other schools are, I would point out what is taught here at this school. That way the inquiring student can do some research and do the comparing themselfs.
Should not discuss other instiution
I had to think about this one. As someone who just recently moved into administration from a professor role here are my thoughts. Instead of comparing to just one school, why can't we look at say universities or community colleges as a whole to show the difference in schedules and accelerated programs. So often students enroll in our program not understanding the true definition of acceleration, and when the homework load becomes overbearing for them, the instructors are the first one to take the bullet. If we could use this comparison in course breakdown, workload, etc., perhaps it would become more clear to students just exactly what they have signed up for. In doing so, they could possibly adjust their personal commitments accordingly.
Encourage them to do there own research.
I always encourage students to research other competitive institutions, but bring the focus back to what my institution has to offer.
