New Applicants
From AFSWiki
Contents |
Overview
Each year, AFS-USA receives about 2500 preliminary applications for study abroad programs. Students who have submitted a preliminary application have taken a step toward becoming an AFSer, and may have questions and reservations. This is an extremely important time for AFS volunteers to build relationships with with these students and their parents.
How to support new applicants
- Phone calls: It’s important to reach out to students or parents very shortly after they have completed their preliminary application. Calling them to answer their questions and arrange for an interview is a great way to introduce yourself and let them know you are there as a local resource. Ideally, volunteers can reach out to a student at least once a month.
- Emails: Send an email to introduce yourself, your role as an AFS Sending volunteer, explain when to set up the interview, and include links to the program deadlines and scholarship information on the AFS-USA website.
- Local events: Invite students to a local Information Event, or to a hosting orientation or gathering. Hosted students are a wonderful source of information for Sending students. By listening to the currently hosted students talk about their experience, it is a reality check about what to expect from the experience and puts a real face to some of the countries that students have only read about.
Key points when connecting with applications
- Most importantly, begin building relationships with the students and parents.
- Invite students to attend the AFS Path: Application and Beyond Workshop online workshop to familiarize themselves with AFS's admissions process.
- Direct students to the Full Application Checklist to ensure their application is complete.
- Answer any Frequently Asked Questions about Study Abroad and direct them to www.afusa.org for more information.
- Encourage students to submit the online application to secure a spot on Available Programs.
- For a comprehensive outline of a conversation with an applicant, see Talking points for calls to new applicants.
How to pull new applicants and make comments in Global Link
- In Global Link, students referred to as 'new applicants' are in two online application status:
- Created, students who have submitted their preliminary application but have not yet started working on their online application
- Preparing, students who have submitted their preliminary application and are actively working on their online application and
- To pull a list of applicants in your team, go to How to Find a List of all Participating Students in your Area
- Remember to Record a Contact in a Student's Contact Log after every call or email with a student.
