Costs of recruitment and marketing

Most colleges would like to carry a superior reputation. Part of obtaining a good reputation is by recruiting students that would best represent their schools.

The cost of recruitment and marketing can vary greatly, depending on if the college is public or private or if there’s international recruitment involved. There’s also outsourcing to recruitment agencies.

So how much are these colleges really dishing out?  

It wasn’t until recently, that U.S. colleges lifted it’s ban and began outsourcing to recruitment agencies. It’s been a rare practice thus far with about 20-30% of U.S. based colleges using third-party agencies to attract a more diverse student body, talent and students who have achieved academic/athletic excellence.

Prior to the ban being lifted, it had been illegal for colleges to use recruitment agencies to gain more international students, but colleges still are not able to pay these agencies to recruit home students.

Where outsourcing to recruitment agencies is rare in the U.S. and even frowned upon, this practice is widely used in countries such as the U.K. and Australia, as well as many other foreign countries, leaving the United States low on the totem pole in regards to using third-party agencies.

Recruitment agencies usually charge a fee or commission., sometimes even both. Who foots the bill for these fees and commissions? Institutions, students or both. While some agencies waive certain fees, others appear to double dip, receiving commission, bonuses or incentives from institutions as well as fees from students.

Out of pocket cost paid by students can range from $0 to upwards of $5000 USD. On the high end, this would be more of an appropriate estimate for an international student looking to study abroad.

Higher education institutions may pay recruitment agencies a percentage, roughly around 15% of a student’s first-year tuition.

The median cost of recruitment per student at a private college can hover around $2,450+. For public colleges, we are looking at a median of $460+ within the United States. These figures are specific to home-based students. For international students, these costs can more than double.

Marketing strategies

Marketing goes hand in hand when it comes to recruiting and enrolling new students to colleges. So how are colleges catching the attention of prospective students?

Technology. Emails, texts, apps, social media to name a few.

From a 2015 survey conducted, high school juniors and seniors, around 78%, found that they had a better perception of a college based on a college’s website.

60% of high school seniors and 55% of juniors had expressed that they were more likely to consider an institution based on their ability to digitally interact.

40% of high school seniors and 45% of juniors preferred the visuals of print and were more accepting of phone communications.

What’s it going to cost?

Today, most all institutions have developed strategies to market a strong brand; hiring marketing companies to assure this. Colleges have also utilized marketing automation tools in order to target a wider range of students for recruitment.

For colleges looking to third-party marketing agencies to boost their brand and marketing, a 2015 data report has shown that 63% of institutions paid more than $100,000 on branding and marketing initiatives with 31% of institutions spending more than  $200,000 on strategies.  The average time spent researching to launch a brand is a duration between 9-15 months.

Some institutions bypass high costs of marketing strategies by taking advantage of analytics and social media engagement.

Institutions can target by age, location, sex, interests. This method helps shave down the costs of hiring marketing agencies while attracting specific potential students for recruitment/enrollment. 

The costs for the average student life cycle vary, relying on loose estimates in determining costs that students and educational institutions both foot the bill for.

The difference a dwelling can make

Whether it be dorm room dwellings or college sports, there are clear differences between American universities and European universities.

The tiny confines of dorm life have been more so the norm of the average American college student.  It’s something viewed as a right of passage into adulthood.  

Leaving home, especially leaving your home state to attend a university elsewhere, kind of seals the deal on a young student’s independence.

In Europe, dorm rooms are considered more or less foreign.

European students tend to take up residential life off-campus; renting apartments near campus while taking advantage of public transportation.  

Whereas some American students have a lack of transportation with the dire need for on-campus housing.

Better yet, many European students never actually leave home.  Dwelling within their parental homes up to the ripe age of 26 when they have completed their masters.

Take note, that European students with only a bachelor’s degree will have a very difficult time finding a job in Europe.

The difference in athletics

If you’re an American student looking to get into a European university with an athletic scholarship-think again.  The difference between how Europeans and Americans view university sports is as wide as the oceans that separate them.

American universities and sports is a pretty big deal.  I mean it is HUGE!  University sports are viewed as a profession.  A central structure which gathers large crowds of fans, family, friends, and big league recruiters.  

Getting an athletic scholarship is like the equivalent of winning an Oscar.

Now, how can I put this?

You may find a level of difficulty finding a European university that accepts athletic scholarships. While athletics exist, the ranking of importance is pretty low on the totem pole.

Europeans have an almost amateur view of university sports, where all are welcome, but without the hard push for athletic excellence in prep for a more professional goal that you’ll find lacking in many of these universities.

Attendance, studies, and testing

Believe it or not, American students have a greater commitment to attendance in the classroom.  Mainly due to frequent in-class quizzes and assignments that are given within a semester.

European students tend to skip classes, often.  Students in Europe actually take more exams and attend fewer, yet larger lectures which really determines what their grades will be.

American students have a bit more pressure to attend classes frequently, or they just may end up running out of unexcused absences and a 10% deduction off their final grade.

The differences are clear, so do your homework if you’re considering studies abroad in Europe or America.

Upon embarking on your first year of college, there are a few things to keep in mind. Etiquette. Why is classroom etiquette such a big deal?  

Well, maybe it is because it is a core value that will get you far in life.  You have to think of all the roadblocks that you may put in your own path, by simply lacking proper etiquette in any given situation.

Etiquette is nurturing to your relationships with friends, family, peers and even your professors.  

When we think etiquette, we have to think about respect as well, because there isn’t one without the other.  This means showing your professors respect, your classmates in a whole and not just your friends.  

Also showing your classroom respect by refraining from any type of property destruction and misuse of supplies and materials.  

A few things to keep in mind are as follows:

• Address your professors respectfully.  
• Don’t bring food or drink into the classroom.  
• Arrive to class on time.
• Stay for the entire class.
• Contact your professor if you have to miss a class.
• Refrain from speaking out of term.
• Dismiss yourself if you are unable to stay awake(no one wants to listen to snoring during a lecture).
• Keep your feet on the floor(not on the table/desk).
• Dress appropriately(that means, no pajamas).
• Hygiene is pretty important(offensive odors can disrupt class).

Etiquette isn’t a hard thing to remember if you implement it into your everyday lifestyle.  It shouldn’t take a lot of effort.  It should just be secondhand. 

The time has come where you have finally been accepted to your university of choice.  A certain question comes to mind. To greek or not to greek? Should one join a fraternity/sorority?  Why or why not?

There are many pros associated with the greek life. With just a few to name, you are able to gain a particular social standing as well as future connections in the workforce.

You will gain instant friendships and lifelong bonds called brother/ sisterhoods. Participation in fundraisers and special organizations. Leadership skills. Being part of a group with one common goal in mind, which is gaining a successful life.

With pros, cons always follow.

Though greek life may appear to be glamorous and a fun outlet to break up the stress of studies, there are some things that should be known before considering joining a frat/sorority. Let’s not beat around the bush here.

The cost associated with joining one of these organizations can add an increase of around 25% on top of basic college expenses. This percentage is just for the basics associated with greek life. It would be smart to put in some time researching dues, insurance, clothing, pins and whatever costs that may incur.

With every fraternity and sorority, you must pledge. Being a pledge will require you to participate in a particularly manipulative activity-hazing.

Emotional, physical and psychological challenges await. Not only this, but there have been reports of hazing gone wrong which have resulted in death.

It’s a risk that 50-80% of the student body is willing to take. So if you choose to partake in hazing, just remember that it’s ok to back out if you feel at any moment your life may be in danger rather than participating in an activity which makes you uncomfortable. It’s just not worth it.

Also, the time commitment will interfere greatly with your studies if you can’t find a good balance between your class schedule and attending meetings or completing tasks for your greek organization.

Commitments to being present at your greek home: you may even face fines within your organization for missing these time commitments. Time management is a must.  

In conclusion, greek life can be a blessing or a curse. Choose your organization wisely. Study your organization of choice and it’s history, rules, fees as well as pros and cons. Make the best choice for you.