Scott,
Time management and other skills that support learning can be addressed in the Admissions process. However, this is better served through orientation and integration throughout the curriculum. We are developing the whole person as well as teaching the technical skills required for hos or her chosen career.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Admissions processes seem to be effective. Rules are followed to ensure compliance, and students go through numerous people to make sure they know what they are signing up for, including cost and job placement opportunities afterwards.
I teach in a design school. It’s important that students have a core commonality of a visual sensibility. During the admissions process our admission reps tour students around the school and we show them upper level students portfolios and discuss the requirements of the program. The students are allowed to sit in a class and observe what they are getting into. One thing that we could add that would increase potential retention would be to have a portfolio requirement for incoming students.
there is always room for imrovement, but i feel our campus had a strong team
Zena,
While I realize that you have the interest of the student in mind there are other ways. Students come to learn and may have not had a chance to create a portfolio.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Expectations are everything! Students need to have knowledge about the field that they are pursuing and if it fits their personality. In addition, they need to know the demands of an college education and its impact on home and job responsibilities. This extra discussion time added to the admissions process will prepare our students for the challenges of their profession.
Overall, I feel that the Admission department does a good job at evaluating our students. The current students stay up to date with the things that are going on with the school and any admission process changes that may affect them. The prospective students are sent catalogs and some form of a questionnaire. The admission reps reach out to the students to ask any questions and then the process to register into the school is started. I think sometimes the admissions process can be misleading to the fact of overall reimbursement for a specific program and many students ask me questions in regards to this; so I think this can be changed when the student is going through the admissions process.
Cynthia,
That conversation is better in orientation and early on in classes.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
I do believe that students need to feel a connection to their school, and I think that feeling connected to the faculty and staff will help. There must be a time when they are introduced to faculty and staff, thus giving a sense of security and comfort. I think this would help in student retention.
I believe our admissions process is working fine. Unable to see any way at this time the can improve retention.
Our admission representatives have a checklist that they are required to go through with each prospective student. They inquire about their transportation, child care, employment and housing. If they have questions about housing the reps refer them to student services. They are also given a tour of the campus. One thing that could improve retention is making sure they are enrolling for themselves and not being pushed into the training. Maybe by probing a little more in the area.
I am employed on the academic side of the college and I find it fascinating how education and business mesh. Academia tends to believe that retention relates to keeping the students' attention while gaining knowledge and admissions appears to lean more toward "retention" equating to the commonalities of career graduates. So far, this part of the course is offering me a whole new insight about retention. I can see where it would greatly benefit a potential student to sit-in on a class before enrolling into college because the person could do some serious thinking about, "Will having a college loan for the next 10-25 years be the right move for me?" Hopefully, that person would answer, "Yes, having a career would be well worth it".
Maggie,
What is your retention rate? What was it last year?
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Aurora,
This may be tough to discern. Students may not open up about being forced to go to school.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Patricia,
I am glad the course gave you a new perspective.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Although I do not work in the Admissions Department, I believe they do a great job of introducing the students who are interested in taking our offered programs, to the courses offered, the activities they will be engaged in in these course, and the requirements of them while in these courses. They do mention periodically how this course and the lab tasks relate to the field and the importance of mastering the tasks. I do believe they operate using some sort of check list. I say this because on occasion I here them speak to where they are with a student in the enrollment process. I also know that relationships continue after the admissions process is complete, and they are quick to point a student to the right department when issues arise.
Where I believe we have room for improvement is with our field reps. Unlike our on campus admissions reps, the field reps work off campus. The relationship is different and sometimes severed upon the start of the program. I would like to see some follow up there.
Ralph,
If there is a local director for the field reps perhaps they could provide some follow up.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
I am currently employed at a career college and feel we are lacking in the recruiting process for obtaining new students. I feel we should be going out and actively recruiting students high school students who are currently enrolled in technical and vocational schools. There are several in the area and believe they would be a good fit for our program. I also feel we should be attending their open houses and career days as a way of marketing our name but I'm not sure of the any restrictions placed on us. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Admissions must be aware of all physical and mental aspects of a particular educational program. Some candidates are sold a dream, not reality.
Travis,
The students come with the dream. Provide product knowledge to Admissions so they know the reality.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
