My college is in teach-out so we do not have admissions any longer but when we did, we did an OK job with educating the potential student about jobs and training programs but certainly could have done better.
Kevin,
Sorry to hear about the teach out. Why?
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
We use a check list for some programs and not for others, I can see where we would benefit greatly by implementing check lists for our other programs.
Cherie,
Yes, it should be a standard for all programs.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
the admissions department allows potential applicants to enter classrooms during classes so that they can get a feel of the school. our DON and ADON use checklist and interview questions to assess each applicant.
George,
What happens with the checklist and questions afterwards? This probably helps the school and students decide if your program is a good fit or identifies weaknesses that they would need to address when they attend.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Our admission reps use PowerPoint presentation to present the program instead of check list. They ask the prospective student, verbally, some of the questions from the check list in Module one. They also give the student a tour around the campus including the health care lab. We have a big lab that looks like a hospital. Sometimes the prospective students ask questions about the program that the admission reps cannot answer. So they bring them to us, the faculty. It is also a chance to meet their instructor. The PowerPoint presentation has been very effective.
Qadar,
Meeting the instructor is probably a highlight.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
I know the admissions dept. does not have a checklist, but they do conduct tours and answer all the questions prospect students have. I do think it would be help to them to have a checklist.
Cynthia,
What do you think needs to happen to get that checklist together and into practice?
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
This is exciting for me because I am in a Massage School. I love the idea of a check list and am going to suggest this to our Campus President and admissions team. For me the more you know about your students, the better you can relate to them, support them and help them succeed. Great questions on the forms.
Bonnie,
Happy you found an idea you would like to implement.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
The only way to improve student retention in admissions is to let the students enroll in the program they came in for and not a program you think would be a better fit for them. At the end of the day it's their loan and their education.
Yahaira,
How does your admissions team make the decision about directing a student to a different program from their original interest?
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
I have the opportunity to interact with prospective students before course enrollment. The admissions team has students meet with instructors to answer program specific questions. This also allows faculty to assess the students' knowledge about their field of study. I feel this process assists the student in their career choice.
Sebastian,
Students should have an interest in their program of choice. Instructors making this early connection with prospects can aide in retention if they enroll.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Our institution has a very thorough admission process. It's admission packet includes program description, mission, and a description of the admissions process. There are multiple check lists to identify potential candidates. I feel this admission process along with the staff are geared to excite the student to reach for success.
Absolutely we can sharpen our skills in admisions, just like everywhere else!! How?
Admision rep needs to be knowledgeble of all programs they are selling. They need to know instructors and some of the requirenments. Also where is the class on the first day of school!!
A check list is an important tool for qualifying your students.
Angela,
Have you found your retention improving due to the admission process?
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Sometimes it can be family pressuring the students as well to enroll in a program that they don't want to do. I have a student who does not want to be a dental assistant, her parents are paying for her education and they decided this program for her. Now, the student stopped coming to class and communication with me. I called and spoke to her mother (FERPA on file) and after discussing that there are many other programs to choose from that maybe her child might want to leave the DA program and enroll in another. That is what happened, the student is now in another program, one she really wanted.
