How interesting David! Yes, it sounds like your experience my be unique but may still provide great opportunities for you to connect that experience with your college. Every prospective student comes from their own situation and so the expertise will likely be different with each student. How lucky for your students that you have such a rich background to share with them. Thank you for your post!
Dr. Jean Norris
I would relay to my students that they can do anything they set their minds to do. This is the land of opportunity and they are the experts in their own lives.
I would tell them that the key to be successful is to first make decision of what you want to accomplish educated yourself on that particular goal start and go to it to the end and pass the finish line with your best effort.
That makes you an expert!
Ana, Great advice! It is so true that the student is the expert in their own mind. With that being said, what is a great way to share other expertise with your students?
Dr. Jean Norris
I will share expertise with my students by first listening to them intently! Also by sharing my life experiences with them to build a good rapport. I feel that building a circle of trust will enable me to ask deeper questions, and give them the options that they truly need.
Quiannia, That sounds like a great plan! Listening is key, great job!
Dr. Jean Norris
I always use the saying, "you are the CEO of you." They will 9/10 times laugh at this. In rapport building, I identify ways that their story and mine overlap. At that point, I like to share some personal experiences with struggles and how I overcame them. This helps give them more confidence in their background, no matter how battered, shattered, or tattered it is. I am happy just letting them talk, because they really like sharing their history with me. I learn a lot about them and it helps them build confidence in my abilities to help them during this important part in their life.
Theodore, Great rapport building!! Keep it up.
Elizabeth Wheeler
I speak to my students honestly and communicate openly with them regarding their life and their situations
Toni Ann, That sounds like a genuine approach. What response do you get from your students?
Elizabeth Wheeler
AS AN ADMISSION REPRESENTIVE I SHARE MY PERSONAL ACADEMIC EXPERIENCES AND OTHER PEOPLES ACADEMIC EXPERIENCES TO BUILD A STRONGER RELATIONSHIP WITH MY PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS.
Belinda, Shared expertise is a nice way to build rapport. What is the general reaction from your students when you do this?
Dr. Jean Norris
their are plenty schools,out their as an admission rep.i try to gather as much information from my prospective students demostrating to them that trust and respect can happen when people talk openly.
this helps me to build a better relation with them and more prospective students.
I believe asking probing questions about a student's goals & challenges can help them to become experts about themselves. My role can be to periodically summarize/paraphrase their responses (without leading) so the picture becomes even clear to them. Then, by knowing where they are & where they want to be, I can share my expertise about our programs, logistics, etc., to see if we can help them achieve their goals.
Letting the student know that they are not alone in the process is the most important part. We are here to help guide them in the right path.
David,
Excellent! Helping the student to discover information about themselves is key! After all, the prospective student is the expert on his own life. This is a great way to establish a partnership. Thank you for your post!
Elizabeth Wheeler
Giovanna,
Exactly! It's important that the prospective student understands that the relationship is a partnership. Thank you for posting!
Elizabeth Wheeler
In order to share expertise, I believe it is important to learn what the student's goals include. After determining goals, we should also determine any obstacles that may prevent the student from achieving those goals. Once you learn what obstacles and challenges they are facing, helping them work out solutions is important. Sharing success stories of others is a great way to help some students find the path to best meets their needs.
Angela,
Wonderful! Besides success stories, what other forms of proof do you use to address challenges?
Elizabeth Wheeler
Our financial aid officers are available to help address tuition and financial aid concerns. We try to address each challenge directly and work with the student to find options.
As Director of Education, I share my expertise during the student orientation. I encourage students by telling them how proud I am with them when they master a new skill or technique. We are a very small school and I have the opportunity to know most of students who attend. I also tutor students who need help. This is a service we offer free at our school.
