Retention Starts in Admissions | Origin: RT103
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Implementing Successful Student Retention Strategies --> Retention Starts in Admissions
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
A student decides as early as their admissions interview whether or not their commitment to staying in school will be kept.
Admissions team is the first point of contact and it base for the whole process.
Student retention begins at the admissions process. From first contact, it is important to identify ways to keep the student engaged and figuring out the best way is important because it won't be the same for each person.
I understand that taking time to meet the applicants and having multiple interactions with the prospective student allows them more time to ask any questions and ensure they are ready for this step. This helps retain the student vs. rushing them through the process.
The admissions recruiters should have a very good understanding of the courses the students are interested in. They should also have a good understanding of what challenges the students may experience but not introducing these challenges in a way that the students will have a negative outlook on. The admissions team could also lean heavily on other employees such as instructors that they run into when walking the students through tours and asking the instructors to help explain the course they teach and what to they can expect to learn.
I have learned that there are at least six retention strategies: efficient admissions procedures, great orientation programs, effective mentoring, student friendly classroom involvement, fabulous graduations, and successful placement.
A variety of experiences can help the student make a decision- thus helping the student be successful.
A student's success begins with the admissions process.
I learned how vital it is to inform the student about aspects of the program through a variety of activities
Ensuring the orientation process works best for the students is high priority as this can make or break their experience with our institution. The better we cater our orientation to meet our students needs we can then make it more successful for them.
The proper onboarding/admissions orientation process can truly set students up for success or unfortunately-not so successful experiences within the organization. When admissions sets the proper tone, and ensures that students are aligned with programs that suit their skill sets-the students expectations and experiences are congruent.
Retention process starts during admission. It is very important to have a well-designed admission process without forcing or pushing the student to enroll. Most likely, students already decide from the moment they are admitted if they would like to continue until the end or not.
I realized the importance of knowing the student since the beginning. This will certainly improve our retention ratio.
Survey's can be a helpful tool to know if the student knows about the field or if they need more information. Seeing how many time they took interest in your school can help determine if they know what it can take to help stay in school.
Using surveys and self-checks are great tools to garner interest and spark curiosity. Students should feel that they can achieve their goals as they are applying and registering to start college.
I am learning about all of this for the first time, I think it is interesting that the earlier involvement a prospective student has in the school can define the actual involvement a student has in their classes. It also makes me wonder about the students who don't put the effort in and what was the disconnect for them. Maybe this will be explained later in this module.
The valuable information received regarding an existing commonality with students in a program is very helpful as an instructor. By understanding the commonality of the students in a program, will determine the learning activities planned in the classroom for better engagement.
I learned that the more the student knows about the program the school and the career opportunities the better chance of success.
It is imperative that students are properly assessed during the admission process to maximize student success. Often students are allowed to enter a program without the tools to succeed.
