Most of the prospective students I talk to aren't traditional 22-year-olds fresh out of undergrad — they're working professionals juggling careers, families, and a quiet feeling that they're ready for something more. Many arrive on our calls a little nervous, wondering if going back to school at this stage of life even makes sense for them. What I've learned is that the most successful recruiting conversations aren't about selling a program — they're about coaching a person.
So we start there. Before we talk about coursework or credentials, we ask what's really driving them: a career pivot, a promotion just out of reach, a goal they've been quietly holding onto for years. We listen first, then help them see how their goals connect to what our programs at Sy Syms, Ferkauf, and Cardozo can offer. And because "going back to school" can feel financially daunting on top of everything else, we walk with them through that piece too: talking honestly about cost, financial aid, and payment options so the numbers feel manageable rather than like a reason to give up before they've even applied.
What I love most about this work is watching someone's uncertainty turn into excitement. A person who started the conversation unsure if they belonged in a graduate program leaves it feeling like this is possible. Like someone actually heard them and is in their corner. That's the heart of our recruiting approach: meeting working professionals with empathy, not urgency, and helping them believe they can do this. It's why our students don't just enroll, they arrive ready, supported, and genuinely excited to begin.