Students are the key to success for a college or university – without them, the college or university would cease to exist. Now, international student recruitment is one of the fastest growing economic divisions of the world. Each year there are millions of students that travel to study abroad. But how does your school get a hold of these students?

Currently, there are a many different ways to recruit students:

• Online
  
• Guidance Counselors
  
• Agents
  
• Word of Mouth
  
• Social Media
  
• Recruitment Fairs
• And more…

The best way for colleges and universities to recruit undergraduate students, who are primarily interested in academics more than athletic scholarships, is directly through high school guidance counselors. High school counselors aide students with their preparations for the future. They are a helping hand in a maze of testing, school choices, and career decisions. They are caring individuals who have a wide range of information to compute. They are deemed with the task of getting to know each students’ strengths, skills, and aspirations for the future. Once familiar with a students goals, the counselor may then advise that student with ideas on future plans. While navigating through the many students under their wing, they have to filter through the thousands of colleges and universities throughout the world. The task isn’t easy, but guidance counselors are here to help.

One of the best ways to get something done (especially in a field that you are unfamiliar with) is with help from a specialist.

At Worldwide College Tours for example, we specialize in connecting post-secondary admissions representatives with high schools and their respective residents (students, parents, teachers, principals, and guidance counselors).

Most guidance counselors have experience with navigating the college and university admissions process, and programs offered by them. Guidance counselors also build strong relationships with colleges and universities to ensure they are providing accurate information to students who may be interested in applying to certain schools or to a certain program. The trust is made even stronger when the guidance counselor successfully sends a student through to the college or university, and then gets the positive feedback from the family. With that first-hand experience, the counselor will think positively about the college or university and feel confident in its recommendation for future students.

Studies have shown that 35% of guidance counselors see an immediate benefit from having a college or university visit their school. Additionally, nearly 70% of guidance counselors refer students to colleges and universities who visit their high school within a 3-year span (you must keep ongoing email communication). In our digital world, email is the easiest form of communication available. For individuals who are working around the clock, helping hundreds of students decide on their future, a short email can be extremely valuable. The follow-up email after a recruitment event can help solidify potential students.

Taking the leap from home to an international college or university is a big decision for students – and it can be scary, not just for the student, but for the parents too. With the cultural differences, there is always the underlying possibility for miscommunication that could be related to any matter pertaining to the admissions process. Having a direct line of communication to a counselor that is able to offer direct assistance is amazing. It gives the student and parents a sense of importance and caring from their new school – and it can clear up any hesitation.

Word of mouth is one of the best marketing tools available. Once a student has been accepted and again when they graduate from your respected school, that positive feedback will be relayed back to the counselor – even more so if that student has a sibling at the same high school they went to. Once that positive feedback is received, the counselor see’s the positive outcome first hand, and is eager to recommend that college or university to other students. Connecting with a guidance counselor has the possibility to become one of the easiest recruitment tools existing, at a fraction of the cost of typical recruiting efforts.

After colleges and universities build a relationship with counselors via our events, they are connected forever. There is no cost to connect with potential students in the future, just your time to keep those relationships alive.

Keep all your information up to date, and be easily accessible (via email, call, text). Be sure to show them your schools’ hospitality and present all important information regarding your school. Present some key features, fun facts and any tangible materials (trinkets, pamphlets, leaflets, etc.) that you may have. This connection can possibly result in the effortless recruitment of future students. So finally, be inviting. Creating a lasting relationship with guidance counselors is important - a they will be connecting your school to potential students for years to come.

According to a recent study, counselors spend 72% of their time helping high school students with school, program, and class selection. The average ratio of counselors to students is 250:1. They spend a mass amount of time helping students decide on their future. Don't worry though, counselors are fairly particular about who they want coming into their schools, so using Worldwide College Tours as your liaison into the schools will be a great way to develop that relationship. If the counselors don't respond to you right away, not to worry, they haven't forgotten about you, they'll be in touch with additional questions when it's school selection time!Be sure to connect with counselors during college and university fair visits.

Join us on one of our semi-annual recruitment tours to be introduced first hand to guidance counselors from various high schools. To learn more about our upcoming recruiting events or to join our upcoming tours, click HERE or give us a call at (416) 384-1837 – we look forward to exploring new opportunities with you.