It could. However, safe habor rules and financial aid is driving what can or can't be done. Right now, the regs are changing so much. Probably need to let it all settle down.
Dr. B
How about paid a commision for each student that graduates and gets a job. Now that would be motivation to really talk with students about completion and success.
I like this idea. We do have departments that are required by the accrediting body to meet with the students before enrollment. They have the opportunity to explain the career path and requirements for success to the student a bit more. There are students who have changed their minds and did not enroll. Admission reps do not like this, but I think it is better for the student.
We need to have the admissions rep actually stay for the entire class senssion. Ours used to sit in the class for 5 minutes and say they knew what was going on. They need to really experience what the students do on the first day.
I think that Admissions pressured for the "Sale" more often than anyone would like to admit. Our admission reps have sales background, not education.
I also think they should be required to track the student for at least the first module. They just leave them at the front desk on the first day and then forget their names. We hear it on the surveys all the time.
Yes, do all you can to link admissions, academics and even finance early in the process. All need to tell the same story.
Dr. B
Admissions and Academics should be working as a team-especially in school activities and events.
Yes... the idea is to link the whole school to show students that the school is vested in student success.
Dr. B
I believe that the enrollment process should include a discussion with someone from the educational side as well. This way they do not just hear the admission representative's side, but from an educator as well.
Good example. So, you have empathy and you can directly see what needs to be done to encourage students to stay the course.
Dr. B
I agree. I have a child that is in college, and her roommate is not acclimating to being away from home. I suggested to my daughter that her roommate should go to the schools student services to help her transision. It is more enlighting to see the transision problems at our school when it is happening to someone you know.
In my opinion, the admissions rep. needs to get paid on a commission basis of some sort!!!! Most that I have seen make the sale and have limited exposure to the student after he "signs on" Admissions knows more about the student's back ground than we ,as instructors, do. If this student starts falling off they need to know!!! Retention is a priority. I can fix it if he shows up in class, I can't do anything if he's a "no show"!!! I say, get admissions involved on the first day he doesn"t show. I can't fix his job or housing!!!!!
Many schools do that. Enrollment reps who take a class really learn academics and what goes on in the classroom. Then, they can describe to prospectives students what they will need to do to be successful.
Dr. B
To many times the admission reps are pressed to meet goals and numbers, however this tends to enroll students for all the wrong reasons. The reps ought to be as honest and open as possible so that the student is not hit with unexpected surprises. This may lead to fewer enrollments, but will tend to have better completion rates and more positive responses from graduates: remember word of mouth is still the best form of advertisement
Consider admission reps doing class time therselves to better undertand what they are selling.
As an instructor, I find that a gap between admissions information and actual core instruction exsist. By inviting an admissions rep into class can help the admissions dept to understand the demands in the learning environment which can be better translated during the check list process, thus giving the potential student a better perspective of expectations from the school and the student.
I couldn't agree more.
I am happy to say that we are now taking a hold of and becoming more involved in the admissions process i.e. scripting, highlighting key points for each student along their tour, etc.
It is a fantastic start to strengthening retention.
This is key. Set the corrections expectations from the start of the program. If you do, retention will improve.
Dr. B
The Court Reporting program is very stressful and requires a certain type of student. When the Admissions staff gives the prospective Court Reporting student a true and accurate outlook of what this program will involve, it will help the student determine if this program is right for them.
I believe that most students have never been away from home and they need people they can talk to for problems and not just one person. If we can show we care like a famley member they will fell more at home and stay in school
Linking academics to enrollments is by far a great operational standard. We have evolved to linking these two entities in our college.
Students who obtain information from admissions and later uncover that same information in operation in the college, will have a higher retention rate. They will feel more comfortable in the college with faculty in staff they can trust. This trust will be generated from the truthful experience they encountered from admissions to academics.
This process is substantial and is greatly effective.
Shawn
