PS&L Blog

Not unlike many high school juniors, I’ve spent a lot of time on various college campuses this summer. When you travel from school to school, you can’t help but compare how this one stacks up against the last one. Although it’s been years since my college search, I’m sure students are comparing your school to the next school they visit.

It would be nice if all they compared were the official messages and marketing we spend hours training the faculty and staff on. However, let’s face it, sometimes it’s the little things that have the biggest impact on prospective students – for better or worse.

On one campus, after finally finding a parking place, I could not find any signage for the admissions office. I had to ask several people for directions, and unfortunately one of the people was not at all friendly. Had there been a clearly marked admissions sign, I could have avoided the negativity. A designated parking space for visitors would have also been helpful to make me feel welcome.

At another campus, at the end of their school year, I noticed trashcans filled to the brim with bottles and other paraphernalia. Clearly a party had occurred the night before. As a way to avoid this, perhaps admissions could work with maintenance on identifying areas that need special daily attention.

During a campus tour on another campus, there were low hanging branches over the sidewalks that required me to duck or walk off the sidewalk. To avoid the appearance of a poorly maintained campus, admissions could work with grounds personnel to maintain the tour routes.

While in another admissions office, I witnessed prospective families walking in the office and taking a seat before they were acknowledged and greeted as guests. An attentive staff who is eager and enthusiastic when greeting visitors is a great way to set a positive tone for any campus experience.

The little things can make a difference. OK, I’ll be the first person to admit that not finding a parking space close to the admissions building is not going to be the reason a student doesn’t apply to your college, but it can set the “tone” for how they feel about your school. First impressions do count.

So why bother? Simple gestures toward a prospective student or attention to details during the campus experience can make their visit seem more satisfying. Sometimes, the “little things” can set you apart from the competition – for better or worse.

To avoid these negative little things, put yourself in the role of a visitor to your campus. Approach the visit with fresh eyes and see if there is anything that could use improvement. Obviously not everything is in your control, but you can talk with others on campus and make them aware of your goal to look out for the “little things.”

Do you remember the last time “a little thing” made you smile or just brightened your day?