Return to:
Liberty University
Jim Urban
Former assistant director of admissions consulting
Liberty University
Currently working as a lead account manager and academic consultant for Liberty University Online, Jim Urban got his start in online education as the assistant director of admissions consulting for Liberty. He and his team are responsible for handling online student interest leads and helping them transition from the application to enrollment process. The role has helped him developed a passion for advising and helping students make their educational goals a reality. He is currently pursuing his master’s in counseling and hopes to become a licensed counselor in the future.
What do potential students need to know about college admissions before they begin applying to schools? What can they do to prepare themselves and be ready for the application process?
These days, prospective students have many options available to them when deciding to apply to a college or university. There are on-campus schools, online schools, and schools offering blended formats. The one common denominator between them all is that each school has varying steps that need to be completed to be admitted to the school. For most schools, the admissions process consists of three basic steps: apply to the school, send in high school or previous college transcripts, and secure funding for tuition, whether it is in the form of federal financial aid, an institutional scholarship, corporate tuition reimbursement, or paying out of pocket.
What are some common enrollment issues that you have encountered? How can students prevent these from occurring?
Some of the common issues we encounter are with future students being unaware of the plethora of financial aid options available to help them obtain a college education. Many adult learners who are going back to school after a period of time away are often unsure how to obtain old college, or high school transcripts. This is where Liberty, as a student-focused school, stands ready to aid the student in locating their former school and find out how to request transcripts.
What do you enjoy most about working as an advisor?
I personally enjoy collaborating with future students to match their goals to a specific program that will help them accomplish their dreams. I have the incredible opportunity to interact with many individuals from a variety of backgrounds who all share a desire to prepare themselves for greater opportunities [for a career].
Do you keep up with any of the students you have worked with?
Yes! I can’t tell you how many students will take the time to email me after applying, and getting accepted, to thank me for helping them take that first step on the path to achieving their goals. It is my privilege to keep up with them. Periodically, I will interact with them to see how things are going in their degree program, and see if there is any way I can assist them.
What do you, as a Liberty advisor, offer to students?
Every day, my personal goal is to collaboratively work with [the prospective student] to achieve your educational goals. Our institutional mission is “Training Champions for Christ.” In my work I see the melding between personal, and collective, goals as unique in what we can offer to students.
Most schools, both on-campus and online charge application fees, and [applicants] ask why they have to pay these fees and what they typically cover? Liberty has a deferred $50 application fee. This means that a prospective student has the opportunity to apply, find out about transfer credit, and secure funding prior to making any financial commitments to the University. The application fee helps Liberty cover our operating expenses relevant to admitting students to our programs.
What can students do to increase their chances of being admitted into the school of their choice whether it is on-campus or online?
I think that a decision as important as where someone will attend college warrants a commitment of time, and energy, to that process. Many individuals are concerned about topics like financial aid, transfer credit, and the acceptance process in general. If the applicant takes the time to explore their options, and talk to a counselor at the school they are interested in, they will be better prepared to take that first step toward bettering their future.
Have you ever had experience in online education yourself?
I currently am enrolled at Liberty Online in the Master of Arts in Professional Counseling program. My goal is to become a licensed professional counselor. In my two years in the program, I have found the online learning environment to be a great experience. My initial concern was that I would not have the opportunity to network as well with other students, or develop relationships with my professors, but I have been pleasantly surprised how well Liberty creates a sense of community in the online environment.
