What to Expect From Your First Admissions Meeting

The decision to enroll in college often comes with a lot of questions. From choosing between online or on-campus courses, selecting the right program, or navigating the transfer process, it can be overwhelming to try to find all the answers yourself.

College admissions advisors are there to help guide you through the enrollment process, and they can be incredibly helpful during the early stages of your college search as well.

If you’re undecided about a school, or looking for more information on a particular program, meeting with admissions is a great way to get a feel for the campus, learn more about your options and find the right program for you. Even if you’re not planning to attend on-campus classes, a virtual meeting with an advisor can be helpful in narrowing down your interests and answering any questions you have about the online experience.

Here are five things you can expect to cover in your admissions meeting:

1. Your career goals

Your admissions advisor will first ask you about your personal, career and academic goals. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, or haven’t settled on a program, your advisor can help you explore career paths that align with your interests. Be prepared to answer questions like:

• What activities do you find most rewarding?
• What are you looking for in a career?
• What subject areas are you most interested in?
• What previous work/educational experiences do you have?

It’s important for your advisor to understand your past, your current interests and your future goals so that they can steer you in the right direction. For example, if you’re interested in healthcare, but not too keen on the sight of blood, there are a variety of degree programs in health information management that might suit you.

2. Program details

Meeting with admissions is an ideal opportunity to gather all the information you need to know about your program of interest, including start dates, credit hour requirements, online courses, and more. If you’re torn between two different programs, such as an associate or a bachelor’s degree in nursing, admissions can explain what to expect from each program and help you choose the one that best fits your needs and schedule.

Be sure to ask questions about how the program will prepare you for your future career. Hands-on coursework, clinical experiences, and internships or externships are markers of a career-focused curriculum. Additionally, programs that prepare you for industry certification exams can make you even more marketable to future employers after graduation.

3. Campus/student life

In addition to finding the right program, you want to make sure you’ll be supported at the school you choose to attend. Ask what academic resources and career services the school offers, such as one-on-one academic coaching, a Writing Center, and personal career advising. These are essential tools for your success, especially if you are considering an online program.

This is also your opportunity to ask questions about student life, both on-campus and online. For example:

• What is the student-to-faculty ratio?
• What is the average class size?
• How do online courses work, and what resources are offered for online students?
• How do online students fit into the college community?

4. What you can expect from the enrollment process

If you’ve settled on a particular program, you and your admissions advisor can discuss the enrollment process in more detail. He or she can answer all your questions about financial aid, tuition and other costs, as well as any transfer credit you may be able to earn based on your prior education or work experience.

5. Campus tour

Finally, students can expect a campus tour at the end of their admissions meeting. Throughout the tour, you’ll have an opportunity to meet with key people, such as your campus president, program or department chair, financial aid, and more. Many of our students and graduates remember their campus tour as a defining moment when they really started to see themselves at Herzing.

“When I first toured the Herzing University campus three years ago, I knew I wanted to be a Herzing student. I could tell that the faculty and staff cared about who I was and they wanted to help me succeed,” said Herzing-Madison marketing graduate Theresa Lampe.

“After meeting the advisors and staff at Herzing University, I knew it was the right school for me. The Herzing staff did a great job explaining how well the university would work with a nontraditional college student like me with a family and a career,” echoes Brady Esser, a recent graduate of Herzing-Brookfield’s criminal justice program.

Whether you’re a recent high school graduate, a transfer student or a working adult, our admissions advisors are your best resource for answering questions, providing guidance, and helping you realize your dream of a college degree. Most importantly, we continue to be there for you every step of the way throughout your educational journey.

Ready to take the next step? Talk to an advisor or request additional information about our programs today.