Admissions
The more prepared the student on expectations of success the better
Robert,
Yes. In addition to marriage and home buying this is one of the three most important life decisions a person makes.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
I think that the more a stuident knows about what they are getting into tends to lead to good decisions and better retention
If the people that work in admissions do their job with commitment and focus that not all the students are made for study this career and that their job is to be clear with them in all the information related with the career, like sujbects, schedule, career services, future job opportunities, the student will have better idea of what he/she can expect.
The way they treat them, they way that could mark if they come back or not, the way the information is delivered will mark to if the student is interested or not.
At the auto repair school that I work at we try to prepare the students with employment, housing, roommates if needed as well as a good overview.
Common sense dictates that the more prepared a prospective student is, the better the chance of success will be. Some institutions just herd people through like cattle and then wonder why the graduation rate is low. Admissions has to work with the student and help them realize the benifits of attending their particular school.
The key is to share curriculum and explain to students how courses will help them to get "the" job.
Dr. B
Retention metrics are useful & helpful only if they can actually have an impact on retention initiatives. With that in mind, essential retention stats might include data from checklists used by both the student and admissions personnel
I agree and sharing information on the curriculum with the student is one part of it.
This is a very valid point. Many students coming right from high school have never been given an assignment and given a deadline and that was all. They are used to being poked and prodded to do. That one situation alone creates anxiety for student who now have to provide thier own motivation. For some it is a first.
In fact, a major key is to keep their expectations in front all through their program.
Dr. B
You hit the nail on the head. It works both ways, You can also ask the potential student THEIR expectaions up front as well.
yes that has been very common,Ive seen more students not prepaired job wise or money wise for rent,food ect,,more time spent in this area with their families during the enrollment process is needed.
You got it... information from admissions needs to match what students hear from other students and faculty.
Dr. B
Yes, the right kind of information. Can you share an example of additional information that would help students to stick?
Dr. B
I agree with Craig ,that the more informed a student is before they begin, the greater the chance that they will complete the course.I think this goes a little further.I think the closer the information given to the student during the admissions process matches what they find during there program,the happier they will be and the greater the retention rate will be.
I agree, the more information the student is given during admission will greatly help retention. If they know what is expected of them up front they will be less likely to have any issues once enrolled.
You are correct,when we let the students know what they can realy expect and there expectations match the reality they find when they come.I think the retention rate will increase.
You are right on track. Make sure that the information is accurate. Ask this question, "Is the academic side of the house doing what was promised." Does this make sense?
Dr. B
I wholeheartedly agree in that the more information they are given initially will lessen the anxiety they experience with the whole process. A good first impression and experience would hopefully put the student into the right mind think right from the jump.
