Increased pressure to "position" the institution, create an image, and "structure" potential students' first impression of the college has caused admissions professionals to participate less in the institution's central mission. Competition among colleges has also overstimulated the higher education market and created confusing pricing schemes,…

Those in the profession of college admissions counseling worry about student "numbers," filling dormitories, academic quality, diversity, athletes, alumni legacies, etc. A perplexing development of the 1980s is the bidding war over financial aid and merit scholarships. The life of an admissions officer is described. (MLW)

Recent changes in higher education have resulted in great changes in the college admissions officer's role. Admissions officers are becoming teacher/communicators, members of the institutional enrollment management team who can educate other administrators and provide leadership to meld pragmatic and philosophical concerns. (MSE)

Attitudes about college marketing have hindered its progress. It is an informative process with strong feedback, including such elements as information gathering, travel, development of a marketing or public relations plan, organizational communication, institutional adaptation to the current market, and administrator input. (MSE)

Contends that college and university admissions professionals must find and supply tangible evidence that successfully distinguishes their institution from others the college-bound student is considering. Considers personal marketing, the campus visit, and important points to make in interviews with potential students and their parents. (NB)

In their role as counselors and advisers, college admissions officers can enhance student retention by helping prospective students develop reasonable expectations about their undergraduate education and by helping them choose the institution that is best for them. (MSE)

There have been dramatic changes in the environment surrounding American higher education and admissions professionals have had to adapt to them. Demographics, new societal attitudes, new complexities in admissions work, and new economic restrictions are seen as having changed the admissions profession. (Author/MLW)

Declining enrollments and a changing student population in the 1980s will require the admissions officer to achieve new and more varied skills, including those related to research orientation, information management, and financial aid understanding. New campus power may result. (MLW)

The differences between superficial promotional activities and effective marketing programs for law school admissions are examined, and the role of the admissions officer is discussed. (MSE)

The responsibility of the admissions office in recruiting and admitting foreign students includes providing adequate and accurate information about program availability, financial aid, costs, and academic requirements; providing special personnel for handling applications; considering providing English language training; and providing adequate…