I would like to see more interaction between Instructors and Admissions while the Admin folks have tours or presentations within our facility.
A preparedness checklist would aid greatly in our admissions process. Too often I find the students have not considered what support they need to get through the program.
Our current admissions process requires student to complete four necessary tasks: complete the application, submit official high school transcripts or GED scores and records, complete our online college readiness assessment and complete a FAFSA. Our process heavily weighs the college readiness assessment score when being considered for admission. Each student is assigned an admissions and financial aid advisor. Students are free to contact these individuals with questions and concerns. Our admissions team feels that some student success can be predicted based on the interaction and involvement initiated by the prospective student.
Admissions Advisors have reported they offer information to students about their chosen training program and job opportunities only if the student asks for this information. If a prospect has determined a chosen major and is confident in their choice coaching in career and future plans occurs after a student has been enrolled and started courses. Advisors are trained and given materials to inform students of opportunities if asked.
I do feel our admissions process can be improved to increase student retention. One way our admission process could improve is by requiring a minimum GPA for incoming students. While the college readiness assessment is a great tool a GPA and CRA combination would account for a historical and longer picture of academic results as well as a current assessment of motivation. Besides increasing the CRA score another idea to improve our student retention is to require students to submit their transcripts from previous college attempts. Some of our students are not able to achieve this because of balances with other schools. Not only would we set an example we would require our students to demonstrate commitment and responsibility. To assist with this we could improve and automate the way transcripts are requested. Another suggestion for improving retention is requiring all students without college transcripts to complete placement tests for English, Math and computer courses. We do have a checklist of questions to ask however I would like to see addition in questions as well as revisit the questions with possible additions to promote student fit. Several of our students have attended multiple schools before applying for our school. These students are asked to complete an enrollment letter, however if they submit the letter we can’t deny them even if they have limited financial aid and no secondary way to pay for classes. I would like to see us have documented ways the student plans to pay for the amount of courses they wish to take before admission is granted. The last way I can think of to improve retention is to improve the handoff from the admissions advisor to our academic and career advisors. At this point students are told they will be receiving a call from these individuals a week before classes start. I would like to have students assigned to their long term advisors immediately after acceptance into the school. I would like to see a more seamless transition process to help the student get to know their long term advisors and build a relationship with the school.
Our admissons team does a great job. I am, Hhowevr goin to tell those people abot the checklist. Both checklist.
Admissions efforts are very important. It is crucial for the Admission Department to remain involved with the student. Admissions is usually the first contact students make with the school.
Our admissions process is extremely standardized and it seems a bit focused on the fun side of attending our school. Speaking as an instructor, I would like some part of that process to include a serious discussion as to the amount of dedication required to be a successful student and how the ultimate responsibility lies on the student's shoulders. The faculty and staff are there for support. We are not here to simply hand over a diploma as soon as you make a payment. The student has to be dedicated and willing to put in the work to get the most out of the classroom experience. Admissions can sell the dream, but explain to the prospective student the amount of work involved to get there.
Ty,
How does your campus help the student make the transition from prospect to student? Are instructors involved in the admissions process?
Dr. Ron Hansen
Our admissions processes are fairly comprehensive from mandatory orientation events at least once per cycle, to pre-testing the prospectives to see if they're a good fit for the school and the culinary industry. I suppose we could have continuing orientation events that focus on the students who have been enrolled for a while, as opposed to just the new ones.
Dorothy,
An extended or continuing orientation is helpful. It really is not orientation as much as acclimating students or strengthening the bond between the student and the school.
Dr. Ron Hansen
I believe our admissions process can improve by focusing more on students expectations versus reality in the field. For most of our Billing and Coding students, they believe from the very beginning that they can complete their program and begin working from home. This is true, to an extent, because students must get experience prior to any one offering to trust them with their billing needs.
Karen,
Providing product knowledge sessions for Admissions with information from the Education and Career Services department on a regular basis could help to assure student expectations are properly set.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Well every department always has room to grow as in room to get better. With our company I think the admissions team should spend time with other departments before they start taking leads so they get a better understanding of the school as a whole.
Annie,
And visa versa. If Admissions cannot come to the other departments as often as possible, folks from other departments should visit with Admissions.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
The admissions staff is amazing at our campus! They have passion for the students and know each of the programs. Do I think that the admissions process can improve? Deffinitely! I think this starts with the student. Unfortunately, students come in without doing research and has the excitement and expectation of signing up for school now. I feel the admissions process depends on how the student comes in, the excitement of the moment.
I like this idea of a doing research on the student and their resons for staying and also the their success. I also love the checklist idea! I plan on discussing this with my dean and admissions director.
Renee,
Thank you for your post. It is great that the checklist concept is one that you want to bring to your school. Students being prepared for school helps them finish school.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Yes, in my school we are focused in the demographic profile, however it would be very helpful to implements a check list mentioned in this module. Since we are an online school we could also implement a virtual coffee with some of the faculty and administrative personnel to welcome the new students as well as provide them more info about the program they'd like to enroll
Monica,
Gathering around the coffee machine often leads to good conversations and uncovers things that need to be discussed.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
I think our current admissions process lacks a discussion about understanding the expectations for successful college students. I have heard admissions representatives leading tours use sweeping generalizations to put the students at ease like, "if you have any problems at all, this is where you come" or "it's ok if you miss class, just let your professor know." Sometimes these students are shocked by the workload or expectations faculty has for them. I think we could easily improve retention by involving faculty and departmental staff other than admissions in the process.
Jacqueline,
OR provide product knowledge to the admissions department and clarify the message. What the Admissions person should say is, "We know life gets in they way sometimes and you might miss a class. Let your professor know ahead of time". Similar content, clearer expectation.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Unfortunately, we already do that AND that's not the end of the issue. "Letting your professor know ahead of time" does not mean that the student bears no responsibility for what he or she has missed in class. Alternately, there are occasionally students who file grade appeals at the end of the semester because "I went to every class and did most of the work." Often times when reviewing these appeals I notice that the students may have missed a final paper or test entirely, may have missing homework assignments, or performed poorly throughout the term. Attendance in class does not equal success; absence does not equal failure. The bulk of the student's performance lies in his or her effort, engagement, and understanding of expectations.
