Admissions Counselor Orientation

A Theoretical Introduction to Your New University

Presented by: Sarah A. McLaughlin

Welcome to Orientation!An Overview of the Learning Experience

Who Are We?

First and foremost, to create rapport and share the mission and vision of the college, the Admissions Counselors must be acquainted with the President of the University. If this is not possible, a welcome video of a current employee interviewing the President, will be shown to new hires.

Meet & Greet

The new Admissions Counselors will participate in a one week “Meet & Greet” program. During this training, they will be provided with materials on the college, meet with the staff members of each department, and meet with the Dean of each school of study to learn about the majors offered. During the “Meet & Greet”, Admissions Counselors will learn more of what is expected of them as well as find direction towards helpful campus resources.

Shadowing

The new Admissions Counselor will sit in with each current counselor during their interviews and tours for a week, following the “Meet & Greet” stage. They will be required to take notes and will have a chance after this, to sit down with the counselors and ask questions. Active participation is encouraged, as this will soon be their new role!

Policies & Procedures Review

A seminar will take place where the Admissions Counselor will learn and apply the institute's policies and procedures to their daily jobs. An online assessment test of these important campus guidelines will be given at the end of the seminar. It is mandatory to pass this assessment. The score given will be recorded and placed in their employee file for accountability purposes.

Learning ScenarioWhat is needed to create a sound training module?

“Learning is the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience”

(David A. Kolb, 1984)

Scenario Overview A new Admissions Counselor has been hired into

the University

Training process will focus on: Admissions process College specific information

Process must be done effectively & efficiently

Department of Education New restrictions & policies

How do Our Learner’s Learn?A quick discovery lesson

Piecing Learning Styles with Learners

Kolb's experiential learning style theory is typically represented by a four stage learning cycle in which the learner 'touches all the bases':

1. Concrete Experience - (a new experience of situation is encountered, or a reinterpretation of existing experience)

2. Reflective Observation (of the new experience. Of particular importance are any inconsistencies between experience and understanding)

3. Abstract Conceptualization (Reflection gives rise to a new idea, or a modification of an existing abstract concept)

4. Active Experimentation (the learner applies them to the world around them to see what results)

Motivation to SucceedWhat is the Admission’s Counselors driving force?

Motivation Creators

Individual Motivational Factors: Personal reasons for wanting to help others achieve their

educational goals-an inspirational story of their success may inspire motivation within themselves and others

To retain their job!

This leads to the need for them to:

Effectively perform their job Enroll students in the most ethical manner possible Provide potential students with accurate information Answer potential students’ questions correctly

Feel, Watch, Think, DoAdhering Goals to Evidence of Learning

Goals & Evidence

Goal Relay accurate information to potential students

Evidence Reviews by the manager and current Admissions Counselors Pass knowledge assessment test Provider accurate information to secret shoppers

Provide superb customer service & satisfaction Evidence

Reviews by the manager and current Admission Counselors Role-play with current Admission Counselors

Goals & Evidence Cont.

Goal Ensure that the student is cognizant of all pertinent

information

Evidence Students are able to recite and implement the

college’s expectations Director of Admissions conducts a second interview

with each student

Assessment

At the conclusion of training, the Admissions Counselor must pass a knowledge test which will be instituted at the end of the new employee orientation. This test will cover all aspects of what was taught, i.e.; polices & procedures, role-playing scenarios, etc.

A survey will also be given at the end of the assessment. This will help the university gauge the effectiveness of the training. Questions posed will ask for suggestions on how to improve this training for future hires.

Knowledge Test Example

What is the college or university’s protocol regarding how much financial aid information an Admissions Counselor can give out?

How do you handle a phone caller if they are suspected of being a “Secret Shopper?”

If a potential student asks about job placement or how long the program takes to complete can an Admissions Counselor give a definitive answer, why or why not?

If English is not the first language of a potential student &/or their parents how do you handle the situation?

Knowledge Test Example

Did you feel the orientation covered all topics thoroughly and efficiently?

Was each policy and procedure accurately and correctly explained?

Did you feel you received sufficient program specific information? Which part of the orientation did you feel was the most beneficial

and why? Which part of the orientation would like to see improvement on

and why? Was the orientation facilitator enthusiastic and willing to answer

questions? What suggestions do you have to further improve the

orientation?

Questions?