I have an issue with so many of my students living out of the area. It is very challenging to get them to visit the program. I am going to continue to work through the best way to show the importance of the tour and let them know how vital the tour actually is.
Are these students from out of the area interested in online or on-campus classes? If they're placing an interest in on-campus classes and they are resisting coming to the campus for a visit, what do you think they are trying to tell you? Perhaps they need more information, perhaps they are in the research stage of their decision-making process, or maybe they don't understand the value of coming to the campus. What can you adjust to better meet the needs of these prospective students?
I struggle on handling costs. I will answer their question and when I get a student that says okay than you I don't know how to keep the conversation going
As you can see in other responses to this forum, we like the follow-up question, 'Is that what you expected?' which allows you to determine how the student feels about the cost of tuition. If they are okay with it then you can move on to the next step in your campus visit. Let us know how that works our for you.
I would say that cost is the biggest obstacle. I guess just letting them know they are investing in their future.
Education is definitely an investment in the future, so how can you build value with your students to help them to understand the investment they will be making?
The obstacle that presents the most difficulty is financial aid eligibility and cost. During these economic times it is very important for students to find more opportunities but at the same time have the affordability to attend school and finish school with a degree, certification, or license that will provide an increase income and stability.
Dabel,
What "tools" do you have to share with students related to affordability?
Dr. Jean Norris
One of the most difficult obstacles to overcome over the phone is 1) that a student isn't in an area where they can access a lab easily. Travel is a big thing with our regional programs and I believe the extra cost deters the students from the program.
Moving forward, I will suggest scholarships, living with family or friends in the area to save funds.
I also find that discussing tuition can be difficult because many people don't have the money, but also don't like how much it is. This is a matter of explaining financial aid options as best as possible.
These are great approaches Christine. For those students who can't make it to the lab or campus, have you considered full engagement interviews over the phone and on the web? There are many screen sharing software companies that make it possible to do almost everything that you do during a face-to-face interview in a virtual setting. How do you think this would help you with the out-of-area students?
Dr. Jean Norris
An obstacle that is difficult to overcome for us is our full time schedule. We only offer a schedule from 8am-2pm, and there is a lot of people that can not leave their jobs or re-arrange their schedule to make it work.
We usually use the Feel Felt Found technique and offer to sit and plan long term with them, or brainstorm with them to allow them to come to their own conclusions and discover that they do have resources to make it work!
But sometimes it doesn't work =(
The 'Feel, Felt, Found' technique is a great approach when discussing challenges such as schedule. I really like where you're going when you talk about brainstorming WITH the prospective student to allow them to find their own solutions; that's a very empowering approach. Ultimately we want to enroll students who are the right fit for our school and if they must have a part-time schedule then your school may not be the right place for them; however, it doesn't mean you shouldn't try to build value so that student can consider how full-time education might work for them. Keep up the great work!
Dr. Jean Norris
What suggestions do you have when asked about community colleges?
Brian,
Comparing a career college to a community college is a common situation. One thing I'd suggest is learning all you can about the structure of the community college so you can fairly compare the pros/cons to what you offer. I often say that if it were just about the money...everyone would attend a community college - and yet they don't. There are many reasons why the community college isn't the right fit for certain students and they are willing to pay more money for a solution that meets their needs.
Dr. Jean Norris
I work in a university with special program for adult and some of them are very busy because they work, have kids and they no have to much time. so the prefer to recive the information thru the phone. they do not like to make an appointment they want all the information by mail or phone.
After this training i am going to use the F'S strategy to pursue my student
SUHEILY,
Great response. In specific ways will you utilize the F's strategy to communicate with these busy students?
Dr. Jean Norris
I think that the " I don't have the money right now" is one of the objections that I have a hard time getting past. I start to think it's like beating a dead horse.. If they don't have money, what am I suppose to do! I own a small massage school and there is no outside funding for school. I try and make it affordable by reducing tuition costs lower then other schools. I also have payment plans with no interest.
I do tell potential students that they will not get a deal like this any where else. If someone out there has an idea, I'm all ears! LOL
Does any one know of any financial institutions in Florida that will lend money to students for massage school?
I find that the biggest obstacle on the phone is the student finding the time to come in for the appointment. When I go to make the appointment on a day that they told me they have available, something comes up that they didn't think of a few minutes earlier.
My response is usually "I know you told me you usually have Tuesdays available, so let's go ahead and schedule our appointment for 11AM Tuesday" and if they respond with "Well this Tuesday I am too busy" I respond with "Well, I know how serious you are about furthering your education, so it's best that we keep our appointment for this Tuesday."
This is a common obstacle Breanna. What we have seen in recent years is that today's students are quite busy and may actually prefer to learn about your school in a different way, meaning maybe not coming to the campus right away. For those students that can't make it to campus, what could you do differently to provide that student with information to continue the process?
Dr. Jean Norris
Students being more confident in seeking a job after graduating.
We have implemented in our program a job search program in hopes of giving them a better idea on how to find a job. We try and have the students share their experiences with interviews.
I would like to have past graduates come in and speak about their positive experience in finding jobs.
