Admissions and Scholarships
2006 Recruiting Summit
Executive Summary
A series of focus groups were conducted at the 2006 Recruiting Summit in order to gather feedback regarding Mississippi State University's recruitment efforts. Current MSU students, alumni, and faculty, high school counselors, and community college counselors served as respondents in the focus groups. As a whole, the groups offered positive comments about services of The Office of Admissions and Scholarships. They thought that campus visits have enormous power and potential to recruit students. They also stated that all personal contacts from Admissions and Scholarships were greatly influential in bringing students to MSU. Each group also detailed areas that can be improved.
Recruiting Events and Campus Visitation Programs: Campus visits are extremely important and effective. Admissions Counselors and Roadrunners, as well as other staff, do a good job at recruiting events. Prospective students want more personal attention. Campus visits would improve if more structure was provided for tours.
Admissions Counselors, Roadrunners, and Orientation Leaders: Most respondents felt that Admissions Counselors, Roadrunners, and Orientation Leaders are personable, likable, and effective at recruiting when maintaining communications with students. Many students were not satisfied with the frequency and quality of communications from The Office of Admissions and Scholarships. Faculty would like more internal communication, including more information about prospective students.
Admissions and Scholarships Website: Most respondents found the website visually appealing. Some found the website much improved over the old website. Students found the site difficult to use and do not get enough information about the status of their applications.
Communications Plan and Recruiting Materials: The visual appeal of the mail-out materials and the quality of the information appeared to be good. Some students were happy with the materials, while others noted the absence or lateness of mailings. Counselors would like to receive more up-to-date information, perhaps in the form of a fact sheet.
Top Ten Recommendations:
- Improve frequency of communications with students, faculty, and counselors throughout the recruitment, admissions, and scholarships processes.
- Develop more structured, academically focused recruiting events.
- Improve departmental, college, and admissions and scholarships websites.
- Award scholarships earlier.
- Have faculty meet with students more often.
- Have faculty and deans visit more schools in more areas of the state.
- Use alumni more to promote MSU.
- Promote student organizations.
- Promote the honors college.
- Institute more summer programs, such as "College Weeks" or "Department Weeks".