Tennessee Tech seeing a large increase in student applications from West Tennessee.
Director of Admissions Jacob Cutshall said one of the largest increases in applications is from Shelby County, an increase of some 22 percent. Cutshall said attracting students from West Tennessee has always been a challenge for the university.
“Not enough schools know who we are, where we are located, or anything about us,” Cutshall said. “And knowing how far Shelby County is, it was really important for us to connect those counselors with something from Tennessee Tech, so we started a counselor newsletter that goes out once a month.”
Cutshall said working with guidance counselors from schools in the West Tennessee area has contributed to the increase in student interest. Cutshall said building personal connections with students has also contributed to the improvements.
Cutshall also said Tennessee Tech’s athletic programs have contributed to attracting students.
“Whenever athletics on campus is a hot commodity, I think it just makes for a more fun environment,” Cutshall said. “You know, especially for our football team, which is highly ranked in the nation right now. There starts to become that national exposure to a school’s name, and more people will start to hear these names and start to hear about Tennessee Tech.”
Cutshall said the university recruits a lot of students from the Upper Cumberland. Cutshall said attracting students from areas outside of the Upper Cumberland improves the learning experience and brings diversity.
“Students come to college to learn from others, to see different ways of life,” Cutshall said. “I think by having these students from West Tennessee, and you know, maybe coming from a bigger city, being in Memphis. Maybe some of these students might come from low-income first-generation generation (families). I think it’s really important for the classroom engagement to have students from all different walks of life.”
Cutshall said Tennessee Tech can pitch that 46 percent of graduates graduate debt-free and that Tennessee Tech is well known for one of the best returns on investment for students. Cutshall said those pitches can overcome the challenge of being 5-plus hours away from home.
Cutshall said it is great to see the increase in applications from West Tennessee, but there is still more work to do. Cutshall said now the challenge becomes getting the applicants to enroll.
