system.AndrewsSchool.com

I also need to find a way to allow potential students on here to get to know us. It was recommended that we do that by a member of my Advisory Committee. Some of the people who work for him said that they enrolled elsewhere because the other school had an open forum and Andrews School didn't.

I also want to protect the privacy of everyone on our forum - on one hand - but then we don't really post anything too personal or that shouldn't be revealed on here...so   (inviting comments if anyone has anything to add)...

Hi Linda,

I am on LinkedIn. I just copied what my son did which was to add his education in progress to his profile. I added Andrews School of Medical Coding to my profile, and since it is my most recent education, it appears right under my name. Not sure if that helps TAS or not, but it certainly looks quite visible on my profile.

Have you considered creating your own group on LinkedIn?

Laura

Linda,

I added The Andrews School to my LinkedIn.  Do you have a specific "description" that highlights the programs we could include?

Hi Linda!  I'm only on FB right now.  I had LinkedIn a long time ago that has since lapsed, but I plan on joining again once I'm ready to actively job hunt.

As far as an open forum, I've been thinking about this and I'm rather on the fence. It's such a unique metric to use when selecting a school it would be interesting to know more about how an open forum influenced their decision.

I think the thing, for me, is that "getting to know us" is such a broad subject that it's worth looking at what information potential students really want to know that they're not finding via other channels. 

Is it demographics--are they worried they're too old/too young?  How to do this while taking care of a family or holding down a full time job?  Are there a lot of MTs enrolled? Or are the questions more about the course itself--Is it hard? Is there math? How much do you study a week? How much instructor contact is there?  If there was an open forum, would it simply result in a constant repeat of the same questions/answers? If so, would these questions be better addressed with a FAQ page on the website versus an open forum?  Or if they want more in-depth information, maybe some day-in-the-life postings on the website (like the testimonials) or even an email roster of current students who'd be willing to answer questions would be more beneficial?  (I'd be up for that, btw).

Hope that helps!

Thanks to all of you for your very excellent comments on this topic. This is just the kind of information I need to help me make the decisions I have to make.  I value your input and will consider everything you had to say.  Please continue the conversation!  I'm learning from all of you.

Jean, that's a very good question.  I'm not sure exactly what you have in mind for the purpose of social media, but here is what I'm focusing on right now.

Advantages of Medical Coding Training Through Andrews School

1. Credentialed Instructors Who Know How to Teach.
2. Instructors have the credentials you hope to get when you graduate.
3. Professional-level books you will need to use when you take credential exams and employment coding tests.
4. Errors are explained so you know what you do right and can learn from your mistakes.
5. Course qualifies graduates to sit for the CCS exam.
6. School is licensed, for the protection of students.
7. There are no extra fees.
8. Teaches at the Beginning/Intermediate/Advanced Levels
9. Course Designed by Experienced Credentialed Coders
10. No Deceptive Guarantees and/or Promises

Mary Jo, I love your idea: "even an email roster of current students who'd be willing to answer questions would be more beneficial?  (I'd be up for that, btw)."

Maybe I should start a thread for that.  I think I will.  Thanks!