The College Admissions Counselor position functions within a recruitment and outreach department. The responsibilities include coordination of invitational programs of the Office of Admissions, as well other programs in cooperation with the Office of Minority Affairs. The position also provides admission communications with the high school and independent counseling activities within the geographic area where recruitment has been successful. Recruitment, admission counseling, and application review are important functions of this position.
College Admissions Counselor Jobs and Careers Information
IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR
The admissions counselor is often the public face of the college and is usually the first person the potential applicant and their family meets. The admissions counselor represents the college on and off the campus to prospective students, their parents, and the secondary school counselors. The admissions counselor meets with other individuals and organizations involved in the prospective student’s college selection.
They design and conduct recruitment activities for high schools and geographical areas where students may indicate an interest in the college. The position requires travel to these areas and to events where the college has been invited to discuss its enrollment procedures and the programs offered. Interview and conversation skills are important.
Admissions counseling for diverse populations is a vital responsibility of this position. The admissions counselor must be open to all prospective students.
THE IMPORTANT FUCNTIONS OF AN ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR
An important responsibility of the admissions counselor is to help prospective applicants with the admission process and to understand the opportunities and the challenges at the college. The admissions counselor must help the prospective student understand whether the college offers them a strong possibility of succeeding academically or whether the work may be above the student’s competency level. The admissions counselor should strive to recruit students who are academically and emotionally prepared to succeed at the college.
Admissions counselors use a variety of methods to conduct their work. Personal appointments, phone calls and emails are frequently used methods. In-person interviews are the primary method and can be the best method for understanding the prospective student.
Another important function is reviewing and scoring application essays and assessing other materials submitted by applicants. These are important functions in making admission decisions.
COLLABORATION WITH OTHER COLLEGE DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICES
The admissions counselor is the college ambassador to others outside of the college, and is the recruitment office ambassador within the college.
Successful student visit programs to recruit applicants for the college requires the proactive participation of the admissions counselor. Working closely with all of the college departments is essential and will provide the admissions counselor with a good relationship with other college staff who may assist in recruiting at a point where added expertise is needed
COMPENSATION & QUALIFICATION
The national salary data indicates an average range of $26,371 – $44,630. Sixty-nine percent of the admissions counselors have from one to 1-4 years of experience; Twelve percent have from 5-9 years experience; Five percent have 10-19 years; and one percent has 20 years or more.
The salary range by location varies. San Francisco has a range of $39,305 – $52,496; San Diego has a range of $25,791 – $63,616; Charlotte, North Carolina has a range of $27,811 – $71,446; and Houston, Texas has a range of$30,182 – $48,273. Among twenty states surveyed Charlotte’s salary scale has the highest maximum salary.
In addition to the personal characteristics stated above the successful candidate will have experience coordinating programs, a working knowledge of basic database software, and possess strong skills at working independently and as a member of a team. Strong interpersonal skills are required. Using supervision as a resource rather than a day-to-day assistant is vital.
