Admission Counselor

Hood College; Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 35,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

medical

dental

vision

retirement

paid time off

tuition benefits

Job summary

Hood College in Frederick, MD seeks an Admission Counselor to recruit and enroll students for the fall intake. The role encompasses regional travel, high school visits, college fairs, and presenting Hood College's programs and financial aid options.

The position requires strong organizational and communication skills and a valid driver’s license, with a focus on meeting enrollment goals and supporting prospective students through the admissions process.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; 2–4 years in college admissions preferred.
• Strong organizational and collaborative skills.
• Ability to travel regionally for recruiting events.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Recruit undergraduate students in assigned territory with regional travel.
• Plan and execute recruitment events at high schools and college fairs.
• Build relationships with students, parents, and guidance counselors.
• Evaluate qualifications and scholarship eligibility for territory.
• Present to groups about admissions, financial aid, and Hood College offerings.
• Assist admitted students with housing, orientation, and follow-up.

Skills

Organizational skills

Collaborative

Communication

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Under the general direction of the Director of Admission, the full‑time Admission Counselor position is responsible for recruiting new students to meet the enrollment goals of the college and assisting in the development and implementation of effective strategies that result in the successful recruitment and retention of prospective students.

Essential Duties

include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Student Recruitment (85%)

• Develop and implement strategies to recruit undergraduate students from assigned geographic territory or population (requires 8-12 weeks of regional overnight travel in the fall and 2-4 weeks of travel in the spring). Activities include: analysis of past enrollment trends and current projections regarding regions likely to result in increased student enrollment; independently schedule travel and coordinate with recruitment contacts; efficiently plan high school visits and college fair coverage; coordinate with other staff members for fair or high school visit coverage by staff or alumnae, as needed;
• Develop and implement specific recruitment events in the territory that might include coffee house events, special panel sessions at high schools, talks with honor societies and other high school organizations;
• Establish and maintain relationships with students, parents, and guidance counselors through travel, e‑mail and correspondence, and telephone contact; perform comprehensive follow‑up on prospective students, interview prospective students (may require evening hours);
• Analyze qualifications of prospective students utilizing established admission standards, guidelines and criteria; making recommendations regarding admission decisions and scholarship eligibility for students from assigned territory or population;
• Provide presentations to groups of varying sizes regarding the admission process, Hood College's academic and extracurricular offerings, financial aid, and other related topics.
• Provide detailed assistance for admitted students, including follow‑up on financial aid, housing, registration and advising appointments, summer orientation, and all other issues;

General Admission Office Duties (15%)

• Participate in special admission events (requires evening and weekend hours);
• Participate in regular admission and enrollment division meetings and assist with daily office functions as necessary;
• Assist other counselors by covering college fairs or highschool visits if needed;
• Participate in training and other professional development activities;
• Assist in coordination of special projects and events within the office.

Qualifications

We seek a candidate who values diversity, equity and inclusion in all that they do. Candidates must have strong organizational skills and a proven ability to work collaboratively with partners across campus in support of Hood College's mission as a student‑centered, liberal arts institution.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree and two to four years of related experience in admission preferred or equivalent combination of education and/or experience required. Familiarity with liberal arts colleges is preferred. Job incumbent must possess a valid driver's license.

Minimum Requirements/Qualifications

Successful candidates must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Preferred Skills and Characteristics

Technology Skills

Proficient in MS Office tools (Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), e‑mail and Internet. Ability to learn new applications quickly including organization‑wide information systems and department‑specific software applications.

Language Skills

Strong oral and written communication skills. Ability to effectively provide information and positively respond to questions from both external and internal customers both in person and by phone. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

Mathematical Skills

Proficient with statistical and financial concepts. Must have the ability to apply those concepts to tracking, projections, goalsetting and interpreting reports. Must be able to draw conclusions from reports and make cost effective decisions regarding programs.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a number of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to work independently and as a member of a group in developing and executing project plans. Ability to work in theoretical arena and apply logic as appropriate.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use fingers, hands, reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. The employee is required to sit. The employee may occasionally be required to stand and lift and move up to twenty‑five pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, and could include interaction with other staff, students, and the public, telephones, and other office equipment.

Compensation

This is a non‑exempt position with an annual starting wage range of $34,500‑38,000 depending on circumstances including an applicant’s skills and qualifications, certain degrees and certifications, prior job experience, training, and other relevant factors. Additional compensation may be provided for overtime. Hood College has provided a compensation range representing its good faith estimate of what the College may pay for the position at the time of posting. The College may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range.

Hood College offers excellent benefits,

• medical
• dental
• vision
• retirement
• paid time off
• tuition benefits

Hood College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, religion, or age in recruitment, admission and access to, or treatment, or employment in its programs, services, benefits, or activities as required by applicable laws including Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and complies with the law regarding reasonable accommodation for disabled applicants and students. Inquiries about discrimination or reasonable accommodation should be referred to the Coordinator for Title IX, Alumnae Hall, 401 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD 21701 (AD 308), [phone]. For complete information on Hood College's nondiscrimination policy, please visit http://www.hood.edu/non-discrimination/.