Transfer Admission Counselor

Job Description:

The Transfer Admissions Counselor is responsible for the strategic recruitment and enrollment of domestic and international students applying for transfer admission, re-admission, or to earn a second bachelor's degree as well as all international first year students. This position also provides back-up assistance in the recruitment and enrollment of degree-seeking graduate students.

The Counselor must understand the philosophy of a liberal arts education and assist students and their families in finding an acceptable fit between educational goals and financial constraints. The staff professional must also understand the College Strategic Plan and the importance of the admissions goals within the plan. The position requires significant travel and the ability to set goals, manage time, and achieve results within an assigned area requiring minimal supervision. Since a major aspect of this position entails attending and handling off-campus recruitment activities, the Transfer Admission Counselor must value working independently with students, families, and colleagues from other colleges. An appreciation for diversity and effective verbal and written communication skills are required.

The work is highly seasonal in nature. Fall activities include considerable travel to community colleges, college fairs, graduate fairs, and off-site interviews, as well as participation in on-campus programs. Winter and spring seasons focus on on-campus student, file reading and making admission decisions, applicant follow-up, travel to community colleges, college fairs, graduate fairs and yield programs. Summer focuses on group and individual prospective student sessions, evaluation of strategies, organizing campus visits and information days plus preparation for the next enrollment season. Each of these activities requires different skills.

This position includes the option to work one day per week virtually and three days per week in the office during the non-travel season. During the travel season, this position will be expected to work as needed to meet the requirement of the travel territory; virtual days and four-day weeks will not be possible. Evening and weekend hours will vary based on the recruitment cycle throughout the year.

The Transfer Admission Counselor must quickly build a professional base of higher education and admissions knowledge and network. Information gained from regional and national colleagues assists in achieving both individual and institutional goals.

Basic Responsibilities

• Serves as first contact transfer students and second bachelor's degree students, international students, and students applying for re-admission. Responsible for communicating program features and requirements to provide preliminary guidance and advising.
• Travels extensively to develop interest in McDaniel College.
• Conducts interviews and one-on-one sessions to further student understanding of McDaniel College and gain knowledge of the prospective student.
• Assists in the planning and implementing of on-campus programs.
• Assists in the development and implementation of the admission marketing plan.
• Participates in day-to-day marketing activities of the admission program.

Specific Responsibilities

Serves as first contact transfer students and second bachelor's degree students, international students, and students applying for re-admission. Responsible for communicating program features and requirements to provide preliminary guidance and advising.

• Assess credentials and provide guidance about requirements to complete the population-specific admission process.
• Stays current on all aspects of international student requirements, including the evaluation of international credits, U.S. immigration regulations and the I-20 application process.

Travels extensively to develop interest in McDaniel College.

• Visits an appropriate number of community colleges in primary and secondary areas to meet stated marketing goals.
• Represents McDaniel College at college and graduate fairs.
• Coordinates off-campus programs in primary and secondary areas (i.e. yield receptions, counselor breakfasts, and lunches, hotel interviews).
• Familiarizes students and parents with McDaniel College.
• Evaluates the appropriateness of travel within started market areas.

Conducts interviews and one-on-one sessions to further student understanding of McDaniel College and gain knowledge of the prospective student.

• Conducts interviews and sessions both on-campus where appropriate.
• Interacts with prospective students' parents.
• Discusses students' interests and achievements and asks questions to gain information that will be useful in reaching decisions.
• Answers questions regarding financial aid, admission standards, student life, and academics.

Coordinates the transfer recruitment and re-admission strategies for both spring and fall semesters

• Attends Transfer recruitment events at key Community Colleges
• Participates in the Phi Theta Kappa Conference College Fair (Regional and national - when feasible)
• Follows through with completion and review of transfer, re-admission and second bachelor's degree applications and assist with the review of degree-seeking graduate students.
• Plans Transfer Visit days with the support of the Admissions Event Manager.
• Participates in the Transfer Student orientation.
• Has an active voice regarding the transfer marketing strategy.

Assists in the planning and implementing of on-campus programs.

• Helps organize events such as spring and fall open houses, summer information days, class visits, admitted student programs, and special events targeted to specific populations.
• Ensures the smooth and effective operation of vital on-campus recruitment events.

Assists in the development and implementation of the admission marketing plan.

• Responsible for the review of specific sections of the overall marketing plan.
• Prepares and maintains appropriate records and reports for the purpose of monitoring the marketing strategies.

Participates in day-to-day marketing activities of the admission program.

• Reads and reviews applications and renders decisions, including graduate applications when necessary.
• Participates in committee review of applicants for admission and scholarship awards.
• Utilizes the admissions CRM to enter, track, and filter communication with prospective students.
• Actively follows up with personalized attention on interested prospects and applicants from their assigned territory (i.e. phone calls, post cards, emails, etc.).
• Works closely with campus partners to ensure the timeliness of credit evaluations and enrollment processes.

Requirements:

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required with a major in a liberal arts discipline
• Valid driver's license with two or less points.
• Excellent writing and verbal skills are essential.
• Excellent interpersonal communications skills required
• Must be committed to the value of a liberal arts education.
• Must be comfortable speaking in front of large groups.
• Ability to utilize software packages related to admissions.

Working Conditions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely working in a normal office environment with minimal exposure to adverse conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal.

Physical Abilities

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

• Sitting for long periods of time.
• Some bending and stooping when working with files.
• Limited lifting involved but not more than 10 pounds at a time.
• Finger dexterity for typing and use of other office equipment

Additional Information:

McDaniel College, an equal opportunity employer, does not discriminate in the recruitment, admission, and employment of students, faculty, and staff in the operation of any of its educational programs and activities. McDaniel College will not tolerate any discrimination or harassment on basis of any protected status including race, religion, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, military status, genetic information, marital status, veteran's status or any other legally protected status. For more information on the College's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, please visit https://www.mcdaniel.edu/about-us/diversity-equity-inclusion.

Application Instructions:

Completed applications must include the following: Cover Letter addressing position qualifications and related experience; Resume, Names and Contact Information of three professional references, and completed Job Application. Review of applications begins immediately. The position will remain open until filled.