In the world of college admissions, the next few weeks are critical. By the end of April, just eight short weeks from now, nearly 80% of college-bound students will have made an emotional commitment to the college of their choice. Is your team ready for the work ahead?
Sure, they have traveled to dozens of high schools, met with thousands of prospective students and read a mind-numbing number of applications and essays, but are they truly ready to perform at their highest level during what is arguably the most crucial point in the college selection cycle?
If you think you, or your team, could use a “tune-up,” consider these three key points:
Time for a Goal Check-up
The most accomplished college admissions teams set goals and develop the strategies and action items that will help to achieve those goals. Most likely, this is something you did many months ago, but have you revisited them lately? Do you need to revise some of your strategies?
Top-performing admissions professionals clearly define their goals and metrics and they measure their performance. Regularly. Doing so enables them to see what is working and what is not, so that they can make positive changes for greater success.
Own it!
Highly-effective admissions professionals recognize that they have a huge impact on the financial well-being of the institution. As a member of the admissions team, you have a significant responsibility whether you are a counselor, an admissions support person, or the person who greets prospective students and parents at the front door in order to make a great first impression.
Your role can be compared to that of any entrepreneur in a start-up or well established company. Your responsibilities and input, like theirs, significantly influences the success and revenue of your college. Each and every day your accomplishments and the choices you make have a considerable impact.
We have found that the most successful admissions teams are comprised of people who take an entrepreneurial approach to their jobs. Regardless of their position, or their territory, or the pool of students they are responsible for, they approach their jobs as though they are building a business. They “own it.”
Like any entrepreneur, you should keep your antenna up to spot trends in the marketplace and know your unique place in that market. You have to effectively manage your time – the most valuable resource you have – to make sure it’s being allocated to deliver the best possible return. You have to constantly look for “better ways” and not be afraid to apply them to your process or suggest them to the team. You have to constantly develop yourself professionally. Read. Share ideas. Embrace new ways of doing things.
“Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” — Lou Holtz
This is probably the most demanding time of year for admissions professionals. On one hand, you may be feeling more than a little stressed and overworked, and you may well be running on adrenaline. On the other, you are enthusiastic about your college and are driven to accomplish your goals. The right attitude will make all the difference in how successful you are in the coming weeks. And, since attitude tends to be “contagious,” you will also be influencing your entire department.
We talked about how important your role is to your college, but equally important is your role to the students you serve. When you need a little attitude-adjustment, just remember this: Helping a student find the right college fit can be life-changing for him or her. You make that happen!
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Bob Longmire is President of Longmire and Company, Inc. He is a recognized expert on the topic of how prospective students and parents form their college selection decisions – and how colleges can use that knowledge to grow and control their enrollment. He can be reached at (913) 492-1265, ext 709 or at blongmire@longmire-co.com.
