Introduction

The purpose of this presentation is to prepare you to become an officially trained AAO Volunteer.Please utilize this information in conjunction with your AAO Training Manual.After completing this training session you will be prompted to complete an on-line quiz. Details will follow at the end of this presentation.Your AAO Training should take approximately 45 minutes.

AAO Volunteer Responsibilities

Identify/refer students

College Fair Representative

Alumni Interviews

Holiday Events

Lehigh Club/Admissions Yield Activities

Accepted Students’ Congratulations

Freshmen Sendoffs

.

Student Referral Do’s

Send the student’s name, high school, contact info to the AAO Director.

Be friendly, professional, and positive. YOU ARE LEHIGH!

Use the freshmen class profile

Read Lehigh publications

Encourage the student to visit campus.

Student Referral Don’ts

Guess answers to questions

Volunteer a guess about an admissions decision

Make evaluations regarding a student’s talent

Make evaluation regarding a financial aid offer

Make comparisons to other schools

College Fairs

Before the Fair

Fair materials will be sent to you

Review the materials

If another Volunteer is attending the fair with you, make contact prior to the event.

College Fairs

At the Fair

Arrive early to set up your table

Dress professionally

Be friendly and relaxed

Have students fill out an inquiry card

Answer students’ questions

Write student’s question on his or her inquiry card if necessary

College Fairs

After the Fair

Complete the evaluation sheet

Return the evaluation sheet , fair materials, and inquiry cards to the AAO Director

Alumni Interviews

I. Purpose of the Interview

Benefits both parties

Can help determine a prospective student’s maturity, motivation, and personality

An effective recruiting tool

The interview is not required, but it can help a student decide to attend Lehigh!

Alumni Interviews (continued)

II. The Role of the Interviewer

A public role; for all purposes, you are Lehigh University

To be representative of the intellectual experience and personal attention associated with Lehigh

To serve as a source of current information

Help assess the prospective students’ personal qualities

Alumni Interviews (continued)

III. Setting Up the Interview

The AAO Director will contact you with high school seniors from your area who have expressed an interest in Lehigh University

These students should be contacted in the form of a letter.

Once the letter is sent, it is the students’ responsibility to contact the AAO Volunteer

Alumni Interviews (continued)

IV. Where to Interview

The interviewer and the prospective student decide on a mutually convenient location

The interview can take place at the interviewer’s or prospective student’s home, at the student’s school, in a hotel lobby, etc...

The most important consideration is the student’s comfort!

Alumni Interviews (continued)

V. Conducting the Interview

The interview should be relaxed but professional

Parents should not be present during the interview

Greet the student in a warm and open manner

Purpose of the interview is for the student to learn more about Lehigh and for Lehigh to learn more about the student

The interview should last 25 to 45 minutes.

Alumni Interviews (continued)

VI. Suggested Interview Format

Interview questions have been provided for your guidance.

Review questions ahead of time so that the interview can proceed in a warm, relaxed manner.

Allow time for the student to ask questions. Answer as accurately and positively as you can.

If you don’t have the appropriate information to provide a student, contact the AAO Director with the student’s question.

Alumni Interviews (continued)

VII. The Student Profile

The profile should be written in a free format and should be both objective and subjective..

Your evaluation should be honest and should discuss the appropriateness of a student for Lehigh.

At the earliest opportunity after the interview, send your completed profile to the Director of the Alumni Admissions Outreach Program.

Alumni Interviews (continued)

VIII. Important Points to Remember

All information the student provides is strictly confidential

Students should leave the interview feeling positive about themselves and Lehigh University

The interview is only one source of information about the student.

Holiday Receptions/Yield Events

At the Program

Volunteers welcome prospective students and their parents

The event host will make a brief presentation and ask Lehigh alumni, current undergraduates, faculty, and staff to introduce themselves

All AAO Volunteers, current students, faculty, and staff are asked to mingle with prospective students and their families.

After the Program

AAO Volunteers are encouraged to keep in touch with prospective students.

Accepted Students Congratulations

Procedure

The Office of Admissions compiles a list of accepted students per region.

The AAO Chair will assign each AAO Volunteer 3-6 accepted students to contact in his/her area

AAO Volunteers will contact the students to offer congratulation and invite student to Yield Event in his/her area.

Further contact is encouraged

Freshman Sendoffs

Introduce freshmen to the Lehigh Family.

Regional Lehigh Clubs sponsor the event to welcome local incoming freshmen.

Freshman Sendoffs are held during the months of July and August.

The “Lehigh Club Book Award” recipient will be awarded during the Sendoff.

Continual contact between the incoming freshmen and alumni is encouraged.

In Conclusion…

Please remember to study your AAO Handbook

Stay current with the University by visiting the website: www.lehigh.edu

Keep up to date with the AAO by visiting: http://www3.lehigh.edu/alumni/alumaao.asp

To become a “certified” AAO Volunteer, visit www.lehighalumni.com/aaotrainingquiz.htm.

Questions? Concerns? Contact Colleen Griggs-Roper at 610.758.3105 or lehighaao@lehigh.edu