Phone Calls and E-mail Contacts

Contacting prospective students in your zip code range or at your local high school who have expressed interest in learning more about Sage colleges is an outreach opportunity for Sage alumnae/i. In a phone call or an e-mail an alumna/us can 1) provide information, 2) encourage students to talk about their interests, 3) project a positive impression of Sage, and 4) establish yourself as a local resource for the students and their parents.

Phone Calls

Prior to Making the Phone Call

• In advance of the call, you will be given information on the student to review -- her anticipated major, source of inquiry (college fair, student search, etc.) and high school. You may also want to review the resource material Russell Sage.

The Call

• The script would include some of the following: introducing yourself as a graduate of Russell Sage, sharing your information (your major at RSC and/or your profession), your reason for calling (you understand she is interested in Russell Sage College, you'd like to know her interests and you'd be glad to answer any questions she has). Encourage participation in the conversation by asking a few questions that cannot easily be answered by a simple yes or no and be sure to listen carefully.
• Encourage the student to take the next step in the process. If she has not visited the campus, urge her to do so. We know the campus visit is one of the most important factors in a student's decision to apply to and attend a college. If she has visited and is still considering RSC, encourage her to apply.
• Ask the student if she has any questions. Be honest in your responses and if necessary tell her you are not sure of the answer, but will get back to her or "give her the appropriate number to call.
• Before ending the call, make sure the student has your name and telephone number, as well as the toll-free number for the Office of Admission at Russell Sage College: 1-888-VERY-SAGE (1-888-837-9724) or 518-244-2217.

After the Call

• Please complete your report sheet and return it to the AAP office. It is important that we garner as much information as possible about the level of a student's interest, so we can concentrate our energies appropriately. We want to code your contact with the student and ensure that we do not badger her with any unwanted calls.
• If the telephone number listed for the student is incorrect, please make a note of that on your report sheet. If there is no telephone number, and you can't find one in your local directory, a brief note to the student inviting her to call you with questions is a good idea.

E-mails

• E-mailing is an excellent way to reach interested students, especially those who are very active in after-school activities and/or work. If the Office of Admission requests that you e-mail students, you will be sent a list of prospective students, their e-mail address, and their field of study.
• The purpose of the e-mail contact is the same as the phone call, to provide information, encourage the student to share her interests, project a positive impression of Russell Sage College, and establish yourself as a local resource for the student and her parents.