The science of recruiting: implementing the vision of diversity

There are multiple levels of involvement and influence in the process of recruiting minority students. The tiers of communication between an institution and a potential applicant can be visually depicted by the "recruitment funnel," where a large pool of prospective students is narrowed, by specific outreach efforts, to represent those who actually inquire into your program, submit an application, and eventually enroll. Ultimately, those who are admitted must first apply. This article offers four specific strategies for success that pertain to the growing need for diversity in the future population of veterinary students. These four, ranging from composing your recruitment team to prioritizing line items for your budget, can serve to increase the quantity and quality of your next pool of high-quality minority applicants.