It's not surprising that community colleges lag behind their four-year counterparts when it comes to utilizing the internet to recruit and admit students. What might be surprising is how large that gap can be.
According to the "E-Recruiting Practices Report" from Noel-Levitz, just over 10 percent of two-year colleges surveyed buy students' e-mail addresses, compared to more than three quarters of four-year colleges and universities.
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Just as the internet has created opportunities in the business world that were once unimaginable, it is also revolutionizing higher education, especially in driving student enrollment.
As we complete work on our forthcoming book on U.S. boarding schools, we continue to be struck by the talent, diversity, and preparation of the boarding school students we encounter. They are typically mature socially, involved in several activities at a deep level, and taking advantage of an enriched and exciting academic program.
It is vital that a college or university attract top students. Offering innovative programs that extend beyond the campus walls is one way universities can appeal to the best and brightest students. Programs in which educators collaborate with businesses--both from a learning aspect and an outreach perspective--can help a university to differentiate from its competitors.
.Today we received a phone call from a young woman in her first year attending a large, private, urban university. "How are things going?" we wanted to know. "What's up?" The concern in her voice was evident. "Everything's great," she remarked. "Except, well, Chemistry."
Although not everyone knows it, there are two Super Sundays each January. Super Bowl Sunday grabs millions of viewers, but College Goal Sunday is gaining ground. While the Super Bowl results in great fame for the winning team, something more important is being achieved on College Goal Sunday for students--a future with a college degree.
An excellent strategy, poorly executed, will almost always fail. This is particularly true in financial aid offices, where timing, top-notch service delivery, and effective processing can be just as important as the financial aid offer itself.
