December 4th, 2009
We have all seen the commercials on TV for online universities: “wear pajamas to class!” and “relax from home!”; however, it is not clear if this is actually a selling point for most online colleges. How many potential students are sitting around watching TV only to come across this commercial and think to themselves that online school is the thing for them? It is a lower number than most commercials attract, and the problem stems from the way commercials reach out to potential students.
While most students from online universities do tend to be younger, there are still many students who are middle-aged or older, looking for a supplemental degree. These types of advertisements do not attract an older generation, which is what online universities need to work on. Additionally, most commercials air on channels that younger generations are more prone to watch as compared to channels that appeal more to an older demographic. Working on this type of shift in appeal will have mass repercussions throughout the online community as people begin to realize that online universities are not solely meant for the younger student. Older students already feel self-conscious as it is and helping them feel like they fit in can help attract more students to continue their degrees.
Spicing up commercials is one method of attracting potential students to online universities, but it is not the only outlet to attract a different type of student. Older students are more prone to be attracted to more traditional methods of reaching out to people, such as mail or brochures. Advertising in the work place is an excellent way to attract students toward a supplemental degree; working together with businesses is a common way for schools to promote their degree programs, especially those that appeal more to a business professional (such as an MBA). While many online programs may advertise to a vast spectrum of potential students, the majority of online schools advertise via commercials and billboards on the side of the road. Appealing to a different type of student may raise the prominence of enrollment around the country.
Additionally, reaching students in high school is another major outlet for online universities since it presents many with a feasible alternative to both work and attend classes. The economy has caused more high school students to become uncertain of their future, and online universities present the perfect alternative so that students can attend class at night (from home) and still maintain a daily work schedule. This has been able to allow many students to receive degrees when they thought they were stuck with only a high school diploma. Earning a college degree is vastly beneficial for your future, and getting this message out to a wide assortment of students can make a huge impact on both our economy and our social structure.
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