Noel-Levitz Research Finds Live Online Conversations Have Significant Impact on College Choice

Study Available at CollegeWeekLive Identifies New Channels Colleges Can Use to Engage More Students


NEEDHAM, Mass., April 10, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CollegeWeekLive, the leading channel where students and colleges meet online, has partnered with higher education consulting firm Noel-Levitz to research the communication expectations of college-bound students. The study revealed that 94 percent of students want to speak with colleges during the enrollment process, and 62 percent want to have conversations before and after acceptance.

"Students are craving meaningful conversations with the schools they're considering," said Stephanie Geyer, associate vice president for Web Strategy Services for Noel-Levitz. "Colleges would be well served to create opportunities to speak with students and parents throughout the recruitment and enrollment process."

The survey of more than 1,300 students revealed that the most influential factor in college search is the conversations students have with admissions staff and current students. The study also found that students are interested in a variety of communication options, including live chat, webcasts, and social media. Surprisingly, students and parents ranked live chats ahead of social media as a channel they'd like to use to communicate with colleges.

"Making a personal connection with a prospective student can significantly influence their decision to apply and enroll," said Robert Rosenbloom, president and CEO of CollegeWeekLive. "This research reinforces our belief that colleges can engage more students by offering a format they're most comfortable with."

Part of the E-Expectations Research suite produced by Noel-Levitz, CollegeWeekLive, Omni-Update, and NRCCUA, the research report is available free here.

For more information about CollegeWeekLive, please contact 800-828-8222 or colleges@collegeweeklive.com. It is always free to register and attend any admissions event at CollegeWeekLive.

CollegeWeekLive is the leading channel for live conversations with prospective students. Colleges can reach far more high schools than they could visit in person, engage students in an online environment they prefer, and improve results at every stage of the enrollment process. Colleges can now build a connection with prospective students at every step of the admissions process via CollegeWeekLive, from initial awareness to evaluation, to application and final enrollment. Since 2007, hundreds of thousands of students from 191 countries have visited CollegeWeekLive to seek out expert advice on their college choice.

If you are a member of the media and would like to hear more about CollegeWeekLive, please contact Press(at)CollegeWeekLive.com. Colleges and universities or student services providers interested in participating should contact 617.938.6023 or Exhibit(at)CollegeWeekLive.com.

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The following files are available for download:

wkr0006.pdf CollegeWeekLive and Noel-Levitz Research Findings E-Expectations