Admission Counselor (Sacramento Campus)

Purpose: The Admission Counselor advises prospective students regarding preparation and appropriateness of academic programs, entry options, and curriculum. The candidate responds to inquiries and represents Samuel Merritt University at local, regional, and national recruitment events. Activities will focus on, but not be limited to, the admission cycle related to the nursing programs in Sacramento.

This position is located at the Sacramento Campus of Samuel Merritt University and reports to the Director of Admissions Marketing & Recruitment based in Oakland. The selected candidate will be primarily responsible for increasing Samuel Merritt’s presence in the Sacramento and Central Valley regions of California, but will also recruit students and review applications for all of Samuel Merritt’s programs as business needs require.

Duties: An asterisk (*) denotes an "essential job function" for ADA purposes.

Recruitment (75%):

• Establish contact with prospective students and counselors through continued presence at recruitment events.*

• Communicate with prospective students, both verbally and in written form, relative to admission requirements, entry options, prerequisites, applicant pool statistics, denial of entry to program, curriculum, and general financial aid. Develop and execute the manner in which this will happen. Demonstrate and articulate the value of higher education.*

• Represent Samuel Merritt University at transfer days, graduate and professional days, transfer centers, conferences, and other community events.*

• Participate in regularly scheduled, on-campus and virtual Information Sessions.*

• Participate in diversity related-recruitment events on and off campus.

• Independently maintain continued contact with prospective students throughout the application process, notify applicants of status while encouraging continued interest in Samuel Merritt University.*

• Provide effective and accurate counseling to prospective students on issues related to admission and financial aid. This includes, but is not limited to, counseling related to prerequisite courses required for admission; the articulation of courses to Samuel Merritt University which were completed at other academic institutions; overall admission process; application deadlines and processes; timelines associated with admission; grade point average (cumulative and science) calculations; course repeat policy; competitiveness of application with reference to the overall applicant pool; statistics regarding quantity/quality of previous applicant pools; reclassification of existing applications; reasons for denial of admission; and ways in which an application can be strengthened for subsequent consideration.*

Application Processing (15%):

• Assure accurate and detailed evaluation of applications for admission, including checking thoroughly for completeness of file; completion of all prerequisite courses; and grade point average calculations.

• Consult with academic departments to make admission decisions based upon prescribed admission eligibility and selection criteria.

• Routinely exercise discretion and judgment in determining admission decisions.

Other (10%)

• Develop monthly report on program numbers and changes or updates

• Work with ABSMC to make sure payment is received for all events.

• Perform other duties as requested by the Director of Admission Marketing & Outreach or Dean of Admission.

• Participate in the enrollment & recruitment planning process.

Required skills:

• Excellent organizational skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and remotely.

• Moderate experience with spreadsheet software such as EXCEL.

• Excellent oral communication skills required, including the ability to speak effectively with counselors, prospective students and family members, and other professional colleagues in one-on-one or large group settings.

• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to organize and effectively communicate thoughts through the written word.

• Ability to read English and carry out written instructions.

• Ability to work and concentrate in a busy, multi-tasked, multi-faceted environment.

• Courteous and professional manner required. Diplomacy in dealing with conflict.

• Excellent attention to details as they relate to the successful, daily operation of the Office of Admission.

• Demonstrated ability to make decisions and exercise professional judgment.

• Ability to analyze statistical data pertaining to enrollment trends and projections.

• Ability to interact with University faculty and staff, medical center staff, prospective students and their families, and other University admission personnel.

• Demonstrated ability to establish rapport quickly and easily with all audiences.

• Ability and skill to work independently, and as part of a designated team.

• Working knowledge of student information system database (i.e. Power Campus, Webadmit) and CRM systems (i.e., Salesforce).

• Ability to rent a car and a willingness to travel by airplane.

Education and skills:

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• Demonstrated experience in student recruitment and admission, or substantially similar work experience, required. Experience in health professions admissions is preferred.

 Physical effort:

• Basically sedentary desk work; however, must be mobile.

• Physical ability to lift up to 20 pounds.

• Ability to talk, expressing and exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.

• Ability to write, expressing and exchanging ideas by means of the written word.

• Auditory ability to receive detailed information through verbal communication.

• Must be able to push, pull, climb, stoop, bend, stand, and have flexibility of the upper and lower body.

• Hand and finger dexterity for keyboarding.

• Drive automobile.

The University has an institution-wide commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We strive to build a welcoming and supportive campus environment, and acknowledge that diversity is an educational imperative to achieve excellence.