Recruiting Intelligence

Sometimes, watching globalization from America isn’t the same as going overseas to see it at work.  I recently returned from a semester teaching at Bahcesehir University in Istanbul.  BAU was founded as an intentionally global university, growing hand-in-hand with the emerging global economy.  It has campuses in nine different countries, and purposefully draws a student body from around the world.  Working with its students gave me a chance to learn more about what drives students to study abroad.  Below are four institutional and cultural dynamics driving overseas study.

Pearson recently released a global report on education comparing major factors in education, such as expenditure per student, GDP, graduation rates, etc. One of the top countries in Pearson’s list is South Korea. According to the report, there are some interesting differences between Korean education and American education. Understanding the Korean system can help in international student recruitment.

How many social media accounts do you have? Two? Five? Eight? Do you have any in China?

Marketing to prospective students, especially prospective international students can no longer rely on print materials and websites alone. The array of digital engagement tools available for marketing and admission departments is vast. These engagement tools are affordable, entertaining and can help to distinguish your institution from the competition.

Do you know the travel books from Lonely Planet? If you do, you probably love them as much as I do. If not, you should get to know them if you travel anywhere in the U.S. or in the world. They are great guides for your travels. What does that have to do with St. John's University in New York? 

College admission cycles are like the seasons of the year. If you follow a traditional admissions cycle you know what it's like to live through the cycles of the process. Many schools are admitting more frequently than annually but there is still a big new start in the fall.