This is an opportunity for readers of this newsletter to anonymously ask me a question about any aspect of student recruitment, leadership, and professional or personal development. Each week I’ll post my answer for everyone to read.
Q. An Admissions Counselor asks:
“What’s the biggest reminder you can give me right now?”
A. Thank you for your question! During my travels this fall a lot of admissions counselors admitted that they haven’t spoken with the parents of a majority of this next class of students.
Please, please, please don’t wait any longer to engage with parents. If you haven’t had at least one phone conversation or email exchange with the parents of students who are farther along in the process, namely your admitted students, make that a priority. Waiting until your school releases financial aid award letters will make your life more difficult.
Work to establish rapport and an emotional connection with the entire family…not just the students. Ask parents questions that allow them to reveal their wants, fears, concerns and the timeline for their family. If you do, what you’ll find is they will look at you as the admissions counselor that respects their opinion and input and is treating them as a valued partner in the recruiting process of their son or daughter.
Good luck.