IM Beats TM 26 to 1 in student recruitment
Google is a wonderful place to assemble a list of who's doing what in just about anything. So in response to a question from a newsletter reader about instant messaging vs. text messaging in student recruitment, Google reports that IM is a hands down winner over TM when measured by adoption.
The list proves one point again... adoption of a new technology isn't related in any way to size or type of institution. Skim this list and you'll quickly see everything from huge universities to small private colleges.
Pick your favorites and explore how people are implementing IM in their recruitment communications. Mix and match from several sites and get the "best of the best" for your program.
If you aren't doing either IM or TM right now, where should you start? Keep in mind that today far more teens use IM than TM if that's your primary audience.
If your college belongs here and escaped Google, add a comment or send me the name at bob@bobjohnsonconsulting.com
Instant Messaging at Colleges and Universities
Augustana College http://www.augustana.edu/admissions/im/
Boise State University http://admissions.boisestate.edu/additionalinfo.shtml
Calvin College http://www.calvin.edu/admin/admissions/contact.htm
Catawba College at http://www.catawba.edu/admissions/meet/im.htm
Clarkson University http://www.clarkson.edu/getting_into_clarkson/high_school/staff.html
Clearwater Christian College at http://www.clearwater.edu/admissions/im.asp
Concordia College http://www.cord.edu/dept/admissions/im.php
Creighton University https://admissions.creighton.edu/CULive/InstantMessaging/tabid/342/Default.aspx
Frostburg State University http://www.frostburg.edu/ungrad/admiss/contact.htm
Gustavus Adolphus College at http://admission.gustavus.edu/admissions/connect/im.asp
Hofstra University at http://www.hofstra.edu/Admission/adm_aim.html
Loyola Marymount University http://www.lmu.edu/Page9841.aspx
Marywood University http://mymarywood.com/home_gen_v2.asp
McKendree College http://www.mckendree.edu/prospective/admissions/IM_the_admission_staff.aspx
Medaille College http://www.medaille.edu/admission/undergraduate/people/
Michigan State University http://admissions.msu.edu/learnMore/IM.asp
Monroe Community College http://www.monroecc.edu/depts/admiss/index.htm
Mount Mercy College http://www2.mtmercy.edu/admission/meetrep.html
Northwestern Iowa Community College at http://www.nwicc.cc.ia.us/pages/admissions/admissions/im.html?&TYPE=M&PID=CORE-WBMAIN&TOKENIDX=8987400988
Northwestern Oklahoma State University http://www.nwosu.edu/recruit/chat.htm
Philadelphia University http://www.philau.edu/Admissions/imstatus.htm
Purdue University North Central http://www.pnc.edu/admissions/im.html
SUNY Plattsburgh at http://www.plattsburgh.edu/admissions/chat
University of South Carolina http://www.sc.edu/admissions/imchat.htm
Villa Julie College http://www.vjc.edu/admissions/index.aspx?id=9258
West Virginia University http://admissions.wvu.edu/undergraduate/im_askwvu.asp
Text messaging at Colleges and Universities
Centenary College http://www.centenary.edu/admissions/news/text
Testimonial from an IM user...
"Thank you so much for listing us among those who use IM-- we are a regional campus of Purdue-- with just under 4000 students-- and our admissions staff find that IM "keeps it real"-- the ability to have real-time, spontaneous conversations puts prospective students at ease-- no need to dot your i's and cross your t's--just get the message to the customer. Quicker, easier, and most important-- student-centered!!"
Judy Jacobi, Director of Marketing, Purdue University North Central