Get Your Students Hired
The admissions process for prospective students is very informative and even motivational. We encourage every teacher to take time and talk to admissions reps and prospects when they are touring the halls. I've had students tell me that is what swayed them to attend our school above others. As long as admissions and instructors work together the prospective students will have a firm grasp of what they are getting into.
Student retention s tied to so many things. Guidance, mentoring, and follow up seems to be the main requirments to success
I absolutely feel our admissions department process can be improved to help student retention.
I feel one primary way our admissions department can help retention is by having small tutorials, meetings, and shadow days were our admissions dept. can see exactly what is done at the education dept. level to help them better understand that which is done on a day to day basis, so as to better inform the customer.
I believe if the perspective students are properly informed up front, there will be no surprises in their educational experience later that may cause them to wish to drop out, at least no surprises from what to expect through their educational experience from an admissions stand point.
James,
I like what you say about instructors being a great admissions tool. You are so right about that.
Dr. Larry Banks
Admission teams have their work cut out for them, not only do they have to meet ever increasing quotas, but they must ensure that the students that are being admitted have they initial drive and pre-requisite skills in order to successfully complete the program. It is imperative that the admissions teams have intimate knowledge of the curriculum and program details to assess the ability of the prospective student, the greatest tools that admissions has at their disposal are the instructors, who can provide excellent detail for the expectations of each of the classes and can convey important information about the overall program expectations, objectives and goals.
David,
Wonderful. Keeping information fresh, current and accurate helps the retention process.
Dr. Larry Banks
We have been continuously improving our admissions process. We have made it a point to be sure that our field reps know todays markets opportunities and expectations. That greatly helped since many had preconceived ideas that were just wrong. Orientation has also been improved so the students have a better idea of school expectations and career opportunities. As long as we keep adjusting to todays ever changing market, students will continue to be successful and so will the school.
Yes Larry, set up clear and realistic expectations are very important to the success of any program.
Michel,
Perhaps the most important is to lay out expectations and to match the program with career goals.
Dr. Larry Banks
Yes, admission process could improve student retention by using many ways not limited to 1- Clear explaination to nature and skills required to comlete the course 2- What exactly student need to enjoy and complete the course?
No, our admission process includes everything listed about our training programs to job opportunities.
We are just now beginning entrance exams, which I believe will help out tremendously. I do plan on bringing up the checklist to see if that's a possibility. I do believe that the admissions team should have the prospective students talk with our career development coordinator. Students need to have a real understanding of what it takes to make it in the field. They need to understand the importance of internships, working your way up, etc. I feel as if a lot of them coming in with the expectation that we will place them in a job as soon as they graduate, and that's just not realistic. We have had a few prospectives sit in on classes before, which I think is a great idea. I do feel that the admissions process should be longer and more extensive.
Kimberly,
Wonderful. Suggest that teachers connect early in the process as well. That way, all of you are involved in retention activities.
Dr. Larry Banks
I know that when prospective students come thru our front door, the Admissions reps make them feel at home. They give them a tour of the school and they also get to meet their teachers.
I think the Admissions Reps at my school do an outstanding job.
Joshua,
The key is to link admissions with academics early in the process. The team effort will ensure that the same stories are being told about the programs.
Dr. Larry Banks
We have an interview checklist that Admissions gives to prospective students in our program. I have to agree with some of the other posts that the interview checklist should be reviewed on a regular basis because of the constant change in the field.
I feel that overall the admissions process at our school is well maintained. The admissions team receives product knowledge on a regular basis. However, I do believe that more could be done to let the prospects know what they are getting into. I like the detailed checklist included in this section. If more time were spent with the prospects letting them meet with the instructors or program directors, sitting in on classes, and asking questions to make them really think about what they are getting into, retention would be better.