Introduction

2. 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.

3. AAO Volunteer Responsibilities • Identify/refer students • College Fair Representative • Alumni Interviews • Holiday Events • Lehigh Club/Admissions Yield Activities • Accepted Students’ Congratulations • Freshmen Sendoffs

4. 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. • .

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. College Fairs After the Fair • Complete the evaluation sheet • Return the evaluation sheet , fair materials, and inquiry cards to the AAO Director

9. 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!

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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!

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. Alumni Interviews (continued) • 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.

17. 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.

18. 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

19. 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.

20. 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