Truthful and honest disclosures should be clearly communicated to all new prospective student's.
Susana,
I agree, I do understand that many times technology serves the purpose, quick questions, needed information, etc.
Cindy Bryant
Thanks Cindy it is becoming a lost art, sad to say. It's how we treat people and we come across that makes the difference in any situation.Treating poeple with respect and acting with integrity is key to gain trust to make our propects feel at ease to ask any questions and have all the necessary info to make their decision. Technology is great it shortens distances and keeps us in constantly connected but in a admissions situation is better a face to face for me.
Susana,
Hi. Communicating meaningfully is becoming more difficult than ever before. While technology has created an ever-increasing number of ways to communicate rapidly over great distances, many people are now so well insulated and protected by these devices we use that we are losing the skills and abilities to communicating in the most influential way—face to face. It is becoming a lost art.
Cindy Bryant
Communication is key and there is no better communication than face to face. At least for the initial interview to see if the prospect is really interested and which are his areas of concern. After the initial interview email is great becuase is less intrusive and more precise.
David,
Thank you for your insight. It is true that via phone, computer, text or social media people are able to assume a facade that cannot be maintained in person.
Cindy Bryant
I prefer face to face because anybody can be anyone over the phone, but if you are face to face, people will see you for who you are. They will be able to see your expressions.
E-mails and text messages have become our new method of communication with the student's, we notify them that there payments are due or any job fairs we are planning...ect
Allison,
You made a great point! Quick emails are the perfect way to communicate.
Cindy Bryant
With all the technology in commnication i would have to say email, social media etc. Most people these days have their email connected right to their cell phones. I think it it the most useful because of this, you get quick answer and responses also most of the time.
Evonda,
Too many people take the easy way out and try and do everything via e-mail and in a lot of cases this consumes more time on both sides. Some people find that when they look the other person in the eyes and ask them something they feel that they get far more than they would over e-mail. There is a time a place of quick communication via email, text, etc. such as needing a brief answer. Personal discussion is the foundation of communications and electronic communication can not take it's place.
Cindy Bryant
Ashley,
Communication via technology is not a passing fad. It has become a way of life for people young and old. In today's society of instant messaging and instant gratification it is about who can reach the person first with the best information.
Cindy Bryant
I feel the Internet and other Social Media outlets are one of the fastest and most efficient ways that our students choose to seek out our information and move towards attending school. My institution receives numberous requests for information in that format, and it also allows for us to reply with accurate, up to date information through electronically supplying catalogs, websites, programs, student testimonials, etc. Potential students are looking for a quick response as well as the most current educational programs, and social media and the internet provides us with the necessary tools to effectively provide info on a real time basis.
I find the most useful communication to be the actual meeting with students in person. I have found most families to be appreciative in the more personable approach to communicating information. I have found families more open to asking questions that they might not have asked via email,etc.
My personal favorite is emailing. My favorite thing about emailing is that it leaves a paper trail for confirmation at a later date. Face-to-face is good for meetings or discussing a topic or helping a student complete a task but they have no back bone when it comes to confirmation or documentations. Also, with more and more students having access to email on their phones they are more likely to respond to an email then to a voicemail.
I think the most useful communication would be faxing(especially electronic faxing). I think it's great that I can have a fax number directly linked to my email. I am able to send and receive information very quickly and efficiently, especially in emergency situations where I may not have been able to do so before.
I don't meet directly with students in my role. I use the video conferencing when meeting with other remote employees. I imagine it could be effective for student communication as well, especially for those online.
Diamonte,
Hi. Do you find that many of your students agree to a webcam meeting.
Cindy Bryant
I like to use email and instant messaging. The use of written communication allows you to simultaneously document the conversation and communicating via instant message gives the chance to speak in real time.
I also like using the webcam function to meet with someone remotely. This way, you can see eachother and determine facial expression and body language which is not available when speaking over the phone. Those are key elements in communication.
I find that textung is the best way to get a message out and for me to recieve it it is instant and I can her the alarm of a new message. and respond in real time.
