Get ready for more work and greater stress — at least according to predictions by some of your colleagues who responded to the question, “What does the future hold for college recruiting?”

For his forthcoming book — Overthrowing Dead Culture: The Vision to Change the World of College Admissions — TargetX CEO Brian Niles is asking admissions officers and their presidents to contribute to Chapter 10: “The Future.”

Submissions so far have ranged from the increasing role of technology to the age-old appeal of storytelling, from the growing importance of the campus visit to the changing nature of graduate admissions.

But one of the major threads is how the difficult job of recruiting students is only going to get more demanding and time consuming.

“Admission professionals will devote an even greater percentage of time providing personal access to students and families,” predicts Barbara Elliott, VP for Enrollment Management at the University of the Arts. “More conversation, more authentic person-to-person touch points will be critical as technology and binary personalization become even more pervasive in daily life.”

The President of Allegany College agrees: “Students of tomorrow require information at their fingertips now,” writes Bruce Exstrom. “Instant communication is critical, and part of the communication is the personal touch.”

“Recruiting in the future must allow students to have a personal, individualized, authentic experience,” adds Wes Waggoner, Director of Freshman Admission at Texas Christian University. “The phrase ‘We’re closed on Saturday and Sunday’ No longer works in retail; and it’s not likely to last very long in the non-profit, educational industry either. To serve our students, we’ll be there whenever we need to be there.”

More demanding, yes, but also hugely rewarding. “The admission world will continue to be exciting,” writes Marianne Inman, President of Central Methodist University, “for the task of enrollment professionals is to find the best match between student and institutions. The diversity of colleges and universities and their mission to serve learners of all ages and interests is the basis for the strength and popularity of American higher education.”

You can add your own predictions — and see what others think:
www.targetx.com/odc

You can also download Chapter 2: “The Change”:
www.targetx.com/odc

If you’ve read Brian Niles’ recent post, you know he’s looking for help with writing the last chapter of our upcoming book, Overthrowing Dead Culture: The Vision to Change the World of College Admissions.

The chapter is called “The Future” and aims to use input from admissions officers to forecast the future of college admissions.

We’ve already received a number of submissions, and I’m floored by how great they are. Everything from storytelling and technology to the changing role of enrollment managers and faculty has contributed to the ongoing thread.

If you haven’t done so already, head over to the site and read about the future as seen through the eyes of your colleagues:
www.targetx.com/odc

I invite you to add your two cents as well if you’re moved to do so — we’d love to know what the future looks like from where you sit (metaphorically, of course — we already know about your ugly office and crappy computer;)

Many thanks to those of you who have already participated and shared your vision with all of us.

Don’t forget, if your entry is chosen for the book, we’ll be sending you a free copy so you can show off your publishing credit to the rest of campus (as if they need another example of your brilliance).

“Futurecasting” the world of college admissions is admittedly no easy feat. But I’m confident that with the help of smart folks like you, we have a pretty good shot at getting close.

Adrienne

P.S. You can read more about our book project and download Chapter 2 for free by visiting www.targetx.com/odc