Admission Counselor

Description:
Job Description Summary:
Front line, essential “face” of Samuel Merritt University (SMU) with prospective students, Health Science Advisors, Community College and University Counselors, Community Partners, and health care professionals. Counsel prospective students regarding the appropriateness of academic programs, entry options, and curriculum. Respond to inquiries and represent Samuel Merritt University at local, regional, and national recruitment events. Activities will focus on, but not be limited to, the admission cycle related to the undergraduate & graduate programs. Demonstrated commitment to the mission, vision, and values of SMU, including a core commitment to recruitment and inclusion of diversity in all SMU academic programs.
Duties and Responsibilities:

An asterisk (*) denotes an “essential job function” for ADA purposes.

(85%) Recruitment

• Establish contact with prospective students and counselors through continued presence at recruitment events.*
• Communicate with prospective students, both verbally and in written form, relative to admission requirements, entry options, prerequisites, applicant pool statistics, denial of entry to the program, curriculum, and general financial aid. Develop and execute the manner in which this will happen. Demonstrate and articulate the value of higher education.*
• Represent Samuel Merritt University at transfer days, graduate and professional days, transfer centers, conferences, and other community events.*
• Participate in regularly scheduled, on-campus Information Sessions.*
• Participate in diversity-related recruitment events on and off campus.
• Independently maintain continued contact with prospective students throughout the application process, and notify applicants of their status while encouraging continued interest in Samuel Merritt University.*
• Develop and maintain relationships with community partners: community colleges, non-profit organizations, hospitals, medical systems, etc. to ensure an SMU presence in these organizations.
• Provide effective and accurate counseling to prospective students on issues related to admission and financial aid. This includes, but is not limited to, counseling related to prerequisite courses required for admission; the articulation of courses to Samuel Merritt University which was completed at other academic institutions; the overall admission process; application deadlines and processes; timelines associated with admission; grade point average (cumulative and science) calculations; course repeat policy; competitiveness of application with reference to the overall applicant pool; statistics regarding quantity/quality of previous applicant pools; reclassification of existing applications; reasons for denial of admission; and ways in which an application can be strengthened for subsequent consideration.*

(10%) Application Processing, Evaluation

• Assure accurate and detailed evaluation of applications for admission, including checking thoroughly for completeness of file; completion of all prerequisite courses; and grade point average calculations.
• Based upon prescribed admission eligibility criteria, consult with academic departments to make admission decisions.
• Routinely exercise discretion and independent judgment in determining the acceptability of academic prerequisites, but also must work collaboratively with the admission review team and lead faculty persons.
• Review applications once faculty decisions are made for accuracy. Update in NursingCAS and PowerCampus.
• Ensure compliance with official transcripts and other required documents after each semester begins.

(5%) Other

• Perform other duties as requested by the Dean of Admission.
• Plan and coordinate travel.
• Participate in the enrollment planning process.
• Working knowledge of legal and ethical issues pertaining to the admission profession and processes related to the admission of students, specifically the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
• Support other Admission team members when needed (appointments, events, application processing). Apply a ‘team approach’ mentality.

Required skills:

• Excellent organizational skills with a strong ability to meet all deadlines related to work projects with attention to detail.
• Moderate experience with spreadsheet software such as EXCEL.
• Excellent communication skills are required, including the ability to converse effectively with counselors, prospective students and family members, and other professional colleagues.
• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to organize and effectively communicate thoughts through the written word.
• Ability to read English and carry out written instructions.
• Ability to work and concentrate in a busy, multi-tasked, multi-faceted environment.
• A courteous and professional manner is required. Diplomacy in dealing with conflict.
• Ability and willingness to serve as an ombudsperson for students in a crisis situation.
• Excellent attention to detail as they relate to the successful, daily operation of the Office of Admission.
• Demonstrated ability to make decisions and exercise professional judgment.
• Ability to analyze other statistical data pertaining to enrollment trends and projections.
• Ability to interact with University faculty and staff, medical center staff, prospective students and their families, and other University admission personnel.
• Ability and skill to work independently, and as part of a designated team.
• Ability and willingness to travel locally, regionally, and nationally for recruitment purposes. Ability to rent a car and a willingness to travel by airplane.

Preferred Skills:

• Working knowledge of student information system database and operational systems (i.e. Power Campus, Webadmit, SalesForce, SharePoint, Target X, Webex, Zoom, MS Teams, Outlook)
• Knowledge of private universities/colleges. UC, CSU, community college, and K-12 structures.
• Knowledge of SMU academic programs, student services, resources, and student recruitment strategies.
• Bilingual, Spanish speaking is desirable.

Education and/or Experience

• Baccalaureate required.
• Demonstrated experience in student recruitment and admission required, or substantially similar work experience.

Physical Effort:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Basically sedentary desk work; however, must be mobile
• Physical ability to lift up to 20 pounds
• Ability to receive detailed information through communication.
• Ability to travel