Ultimately listening is an important part of the "Admissions World," because you really need to find out the students desires, motivations and needs to further help the student in making the right decision.

Your main objective during the telephone inquiry is to find about the needs of the prospective student, answer any immediate questions about the program, and to set a one-on-one appointment. For this to occur, you need to make evident the positive outcomes the College can offer them. Your first impression needs to be professional, confident, knowledgeable, honest, and friendly. Remember, even though the inquirer cannot see you physically, they are building a mental image of you and the College during the call. Your ability to properly describe the College and its successes is essential to scheduling appointments. Because of the tremendous importance placed on the "first impression," your introduction must be accurate and self-assured. While prospective students may want all the information over the phone or by mail, you need to explain that it is more beneficial for you and them, if possible, to meet face to face, have an educational planning session, and take a tour of the College. Keep the length of a call to a minimum and focus on the benefits of an in-person appointment. Understand that inquiries can lose interest quickly. You need to schedule appointments within 24-48 hours of your phone call. Marketing campaigns are designed to generate interest and drive the inquiry to call for more information. The real key to setting an appointment with them is to conduct the telephone presentation in a conversational tone rather than in a scripted format.

When a prospective student is asking tons of questions that you really do not want to answer until they come to the appointment the just be brief on the subject but answer all the questions but also at the same time state that you will be able to better assist them when they come to appointment specifically because you have the paper work for them on what they are asking

Has anyone ever acknowledged the question of cost and moved on without having hesitation from the prospective student?

Do you think there can be a point of asking too many or too personal of a question?

When you have a prospective student who does not have a any money to live, they are living with family or in a shelter, and has a child. How could or would you address this challenge?

when working with others rapport building establishes a strong foundation

I have found it to be very beneficial to be able to effectively communicate with others which involves much active listening

What can be missing in a voice mail that can intrigued the students to call back?

what is the estimated time for a follow up call?

A student makes two appointments but at the end does not come to the school. What will be the right procedure when calling him again?

how can we overcome when the student work full time and want to go to school but doesn't have the time

after explaining all the important information the the students still not convinced, what will be the right question to uncovered the person needs and wants?

what will be the proper time frame to follow up with a student if they still interested in the classes or courses from previous visit?

With so much going on in a students life these days, I try not to allow them to loose focus when they come to me with questions and issues. A lot of the time it is just an excuse for what's truly underlying. Once we seek common ground, the student feels relaxed and usually opens up about the person business and we are able to get everything resolved.

I handle the social media (facebook, twitter, tumblr, etc) for a private school. And most students type short hand and include pictures instead of the actual words. I still feel my response needs to be written in full since it is a reflection of the school. Sometimes it makes it hard with limited characters and space, so I really have to focus on the best way to respond depending on the media.