1. Quick Tips for Connecting withIncoming Students During
SummerConfidential InsideTrack InsideTrack, 20141
2. Keeping students engaged through the summer is criticalfor a
strong startThe caps have been thrown, collegedecisions and
deposits made, andyour incoming class is now insummer vacation
mode. But this isstill an important part of the studentexperience
with the potential to laythe foundation for their success oncampus.
These tips will help youkeep students engaged whilecultivating the
behaviors and attitudesfor long-term success.Confidential
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3. Leverage the students own momentumAn object in motion stays
in motion.The same is true for 18 year old highschool graduates.
When studentsengage with you, make sure that nextsteps (e.g.,
applying for scholarships,submitting health and housing forms,or
registering for summer orientation)are available so they can strike
whilethe iron is hot. This will not onlydeepen their commitment
andmotivation to attend but it willpositively reinforce proactive
studentbehavior.Confidential InsideTrack 3
4. Be really responsive, especially when students are
proactiveYou want your students to be proactive,so reinforce this
behavior early and oftenwith quality and timely service. A
negativeexperience may discourage them frombeing proactive in the
future, or they mayshare their frustration via social mediaand
discourage other students fromreaching out for help. Todays
traditionalstudents are technology natives whoexpect 24/7 support.
A combination ofself-service online resources and enoughlive staff
through the summer isincreasingly important.Confidential
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5. Understand that students really are busyEven the most
responsible, top-performingstudent will occasionallyignore a phone
call, neglect to respondto e-mail, or procrastinate.
Theyregenuinely busy and distracted, andsummer vacation is supposed
to be atime to forget about academics forawhile. The transactional
nature of mostinteractions through the summer canstunt their
enthusiasm, especially if theyfeel judged or condescended to for
notmaking school paperwork their toppriority.Confidential
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6. Make it easy for students to act when their schedule
allowsThe most organized students oftenfocus on their next steps
towardcollege when they know they have alittle extra room in their
schedule andthis will vary for each individual. Work,summer school,
vacations, and familyobligations can keep them just as busyas they
are during the school year.Provide resources that allow studentsto
be as productive as possible whenthey can devote time and attention
topreparing for college.Confidential InsideTrack 6
7. This is a unique time in the parent-childrelationship.
Students may beexperimenting with independenceand may or may not
becommunicating regularly with aparent or guardian during themonths
and weeks leading up tothe start of classes. Understandthe
objectives and perspective ofeach party, help bridge
thecommunication gap where it existswhile respecting boundaries,
andcreate a safe environment forstudents to express a
dissentingopinion without undermininganyone involved.Respect the
student and the parentsConfidential InsideTrack 7
8. Strong customer service, starting immediately, is
criticalStudents who are unable to get clearanswers, feel passed
around, or getlost in an automated phone system arenot only
dissatisfied, but also far lesslikely to reach out again.
Anoutstanding early customer serviceexperience can establish an
enduringpositive first impression, making it lesslikely that the
normal bumps andbruises of adjusting to college life willlead them
to doubt the entire value ofthe institution or the pursuit of
adegree.Confidential InsideTrack 8
9. Treat incoming students like adultsDont give the if you want
to be treatedlike an adult, act like one speech orincessantly
remind students youre anadult now, you should Simply respectthem
the same way you would a busy,working professional. Refrain
fromjudgment and respond to their requeststhe way you would those
of a colleagueand always use a decidedly non-parentaltone when
communicating about nextsteps to enrollment. When a universitytakes
the lead in modeling an attitude ofrespect, responsive
communication, andtrust, students are more likely
toreciprocate.Confidential InsideTrack 9
10. Dont assume students know what they need to know
abouthigher educationKnowledgeEven children of the most
educatedparents may not understand thebasics of higher education
and maybe too intimidated to ask, even longafter the start of
classes. Summer isa great time to listen for clues thatreveal
potential gaps in theirunderstanding and provide clear andrelevant
explanations, withoutjudgment. For example, students mayhave never
had anyone break downthe types of degrees available AA,BA, BS, MBA.
PhD, etc. Once theyhave, they find it empowering.Confidential
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11. Dont let melt prevention become the enemy of retention
andcompletionPreventing Summer melt should notcome at the expense
of ensuring thatevery student who starts is as preparedas possible
to finish. Make sure thatstudents fully understand theexpectations
and have opportunities totest their skills prior to enrollment.
Anystudent relying heavily on financial aidmust have an in-person
conversationwith an expert. If an unforeseeable eventcauses a
student to delay start, refrainfrom judgment. A positive experience
intheir darkest hour will make them morelikely to come back when
the dustsettles.Confidential InsideTrack 11
12. Connect success with students intentionsSummer is also a
great opportunity tounderstand each students intentionsand define
success accordingly. Anincreasing number of students enrollwith the
intention to transfer, but thesestudents seldom reveal their
intentionsfor fear of being judged or pressured tochange their
mind. A university thatsupports a student in transitioning
tocollege, bringing their grades up, andgaining admission to their
dream schoolshould consider itself successful. Havingan accurate
read on students intentionsalso aids in institutional planning
andgap analysis.Confidential InsideTrack 12
13. Recognize the existence of a l carte educationTodays
students are increasingly influencedby the ever-growing options to
piece theireducation together with prior learningassessment, dual
enrollment, competency-basedprograms and online education.Recognize
that you do not operate in avacuum. Facilitate candid
conversations, freeof judgment, to unearth students trueintentions.
Recognize that such options caneven enhance student learning
andengagement by making study abroad andinternships more feasible
without delayinggraduation, then develop a strategy tocommunicate
your unique value propositionin the context of a changing
landscape.a l carteeducationConfidential InsideTrack 13
14. Leverage the students motivations to build commitmentSummer
is the ideal time to connect withstudents on a deeper, individual
level,taking the decision to attend youruniversity from it just
makes sensefinancially / geographically / socially tosomething more
compelling that willmotivate them through the challengesahead. It
demonstrates that you respectand value their motives and
helpsconnect them to the resources theyllneed once classes begin.
It also deepenscommitment to the university and canhelp them feel
more welcome andcomfortable once they arrive on
campus.MotivationConfidential InsideTrack 14
15. Articulate value in a way that students can understandThe
residential campus experience isrelevant because it connects
textbookand community and remains one of themost effective, widely
accepted meansof transforming oneself into aneducated adult ready
to take on theworld, but this is a rather lofty goal withlittle
immediate relevance to a studentsdaily concerns. Connect them
totangible, immediately relevant valuewhenever possible and they
will bemore likely to remain connected to thisvalue and better able
to articulate it toothers.Confidential InsideTrack 15
16. InsideTrack works with you to continuously improve student
andinstitutional outcomesSociety thrives when students succeed.
Since 2001, InsideTrack hasused a proven combination of coaching,
analytics, consulting andtechnology to unlock potential in millions
of students and theinstitutions they attend. We invite you to join
the leading colleges,universities, foundations and others working
with us to enhance thetransformative power of higher
education.Increasestudentandins-tu-onalsuccess.Contactus:programs@insidetrack.com415.243.4468www.insidetrack.comConfidential
InsideTrack 16
17. Unlocking human potential since 2001insidetrack.com
[email protected]@insidetrack
linkedin.com/company/insidetrackConfidential InsideTrack 17