How do you build out an international recruitment plan in the current climate? There is more than one way to connect with students around the world. UTA uses a combination of virtual and online communication, travel and agents to build out the prospective student population. Hear more about our success and failure in international student recruitment. No matter your size, budget or location we can help you connect with prospective international students.
Presenters: Samantha Stewart & Andrea Yen
2. 11% of UTA student population
is international
Majority from India
Graduate Recruitment became
centralized in 2013, inherited
from the Graduate School
Office of International Education
had done some international
recruitment
“as needed”
We had no idea what we
were doing!
Some Background
3. Which countries are the best
pipelines?
Focusing on quality, not quantity
Where are self funded students
coming from?
Expanding to other countries
China, Africa
Recruitment Goals
4. Inquiry
Messages will be country specific
What are students most interested in?
Program, Cost, Prestige?
Applicant
Most similar piece to domestic population
Be clear and concise
Yield
#YouAreWelcomeHere
Communications
5. We asked the students:
Newly enrolled undergraduate and graduate international
students
What information would you have liked to receive as you made
your decision to choose UTA?
What information would you have liked to received as you
prepared to travel?
What was the most challenging part about preparing to travel to
the US?
What was the most challenging part of your first few days on
campus?
What was the most helpful resource?
Focus Groups
6. Immunizations
Documents to carry with you
Weather/ what to pack
Student groups to connect to. Rides from airport,
housing, etc.
Communications
Preparing for Arrival
7. Transportation
How to get a Driver’s
License/Buy a car/Car Insurance
How to transfer funds
Weather conditions
How to get a cell phone
How to open a bank account
How to get a SSN
Communications
You arrived… now what?
8. Communications
Orientation
Campus tour, department outreach
Temporary Accommodations
Are there options on campus?
Some hotels will not let you book if you are under 21
Timing
You will need at least a week to transition and prepare
You cannot do all orientations, advising, and adjust in two
days
Stores
Walmart, Target, International Restaurants
The First Few Days
9. Virtual Fairs
Online Info Sessions
Inquiries and Admits
Live Chats
Facebook
School’s App
Facebook Live
Private Messages
Online Recruitment
10. Be Prepared for Weird Hours
A lot of ours begin at 3am, 5am, 7pm, 9pm
Equip Your Staff
FAQs to cut & paste
Online Recruitment
Things to Remember
11.
12. Can be very effective
for overall strategy
Provide in country
representation
Insight to local
markets
Established
relationships
Must invest in the
relationship
Dedicated staff to vet
agencies and train
Cost
Agencies & Partnerships
13. • Fairs/Tours
– One lump sum, typically includes housing,
transportation, food, etc
– 300 students up to 4,500 per stop
• School Presentations
– Anywhere from 5 students to 600 students
• Making Contacts
– Agencies, school officials at the fair
International Travel
14.
15. • On the Spot Admissions
– Pre-application
– Scan documents on the spot
– Faculty make instant decision
• Receptions
– Invite alumni from the area
– Admitted students from the surrounding area
– Formal welcoming speech
International Travel
18. • Cannot issue on the spot I-20’s
• Long, long days
– Fall 2017: 12 flights in 15 days, typically 12 hour days
– Spring 2018- 10 flights in 12 days
• Food differences
– Granola bars
– Crystal Light
International Travel
Reminders/Heads Up
19. Resources
EducationUSA- https://educationusa.state.gov
EducationUSA is a U.S. Department of State network of over 400
international student advising centers in more than 170 countries
WENR- https://wenr.wes.org/
World Education News & Reviews (WENR) is an authoritative news and
information source for professionals in international education
AIRC- https://www.airc-education.org
The American International Recruitment Council (AIRC) works to
safeguard the interests of both international students and enrolling
institutions through the promotion of ethical, standards-based international
recruitment strategies
Open Door Report- https://www.iie.org/