Admissions calling
I think the idea of Admissions calling during their first week is a good idea, is anyone doing this?
I work for an Online school and my admission team continues calling all the up to start day. Then as needed by Student advisors if they become non responsive.
As the Admissions Director of a small private college I am constantly asking Faculty how the new and returning students are doing. I generally begin inquiring around mid-term however by reading the comments in this forum I see the importance of following up on students early. Working in admissions and spending so much time getting to know the students before they begin the program makes it difficult when they don't make it. I see the importance of getting the entire school faculty and staff involved with identifying retention flags.
Faculty is an excellent resource for this and it makes sense since they will be the major point of retention going forward.
I agree that it's a good idea, however I think that the admissions department should play a larger roll in retention as well. They are usually the first point of contact the school has with the student. If the student is having doubts, or not attending consistently, then it might be a good idea for the admissions rep to follow up with them to discuss any potential barriers.
Hector--
That's a great process and adds a very personal touch for the student.
Susan
Hi Michael!
The school i teach at requires us to call if the student misses two consecutive days. I kinda like that cause after the second consecutive absence im wondering whats going on with my student and i want to be the first to know!
Hector
I agree too, our instructors always call students every time they miss school, but the admissions department play an important roll during the first weeks of school.At our campus we maintain that combination, instructors and admissions reps. we work together to increase students retention.
Raymond--
Great! This really does let the student know you noticed they weren't there...all of us want to know we matter and this is a great way of showing that is true.
Susan
ACTUALLY IN MY SCHOOL WE CALL ALL OUR ABSENTEES ON A DAILY BASIS, OR PROMP THEM TO CALL THE SCHOOL IN CASE THEY'RE NOT COMING OR COMING IN LATE, THIS MAKES THEM FEEL THAT YOU REALLY CARE ABOUT THEM AND REALLY WANT THEM IN SCHOOL.
That is what works best for us too as admissions already has a relationship with the student.
i think someone should call new students within 72 hours of starting just as a friendly reminder that class starts on monday and just wanted to know if you need anything? it might answer some questions why they dont show up the first day
We have a team that checks into students that all of a sudden quit coming. It seems to have a good effect on retention.
Our admissions dept calls through the third day of a start, after that acadmics/faculty take over...however...I still ask the rep to take an active approach in staying current with a student through the third class and beyond!
anybody involved with the students on a one on one basis should contact absent students. this will prove to the students that the whole school cares about them, not only their present teacher
Yes! we try our best to keep our Admission Representative involved during the first week because somethings students enroll but they are 'no shows'. We try to have an open line of communication between faculty and admisison representatives since the relationship already exists with the reps and the relationship between student and faculty is at a newer stage. we think a rep will be more effective at getting a hold of a 'no show' and following up to see what happened.
During a student's first semester, attendance is carefully monitored by the faculty, admissions, and the Director of Education. Absences are reported by the faculty to both admissions and the Director of Education.
Intitial absences result in a phone call from either the instructor or admissions. After three absences, the Director of Education contacts the student. This lets the student know that their presence was missed and that each student is important to us.
I agree that timing is critical. The longer a student goes without beginning the participation, the less likely they are to begin. It's too intimidating. It sounds, however, like you have a good process if the great majority of them login by day 4.
Susan
We actually have the Dean of Student Services contact the students in our online courses at the end of their first week.
However waiting a week is already too much time in my opinion. Before the course Admissions hands off students to student services who sends a welcome email. 24 hours after the course starts if a student has not logged in Student Services emails them to follow up. If still no login at 72 hours a call and email is done by student services. Really have not seen many students beyond that point that have not logged in after follow up. :)
