That’s a great idea. Let me see if we can set up a meeting in world. I’m pretty new to SL, but I’m very interested in learning what you think about it as an admission person.

Dan, yes, this is my SL avatar (the orangey jacket is a big give-away ;-) Now, about your points:

1- In my post, I linked to the list of the classes offered this past semester, the list is compiled by Pathfinder Linden. This might be easier for these institutions to deep their toes into “Recruiting a la SecondLife.” However, I’m not sure a single class in SL is enough to win over a future freshman. I might be wrong, but I’m pretty sure it will take a lot of work to convince our higher ed admission folks.

2- My point wasn’t really about the rules of engagement on the different grids in SecondLife. Beyond the administrative hassle admission offices will have to go through to get their events going on the Teen Grid, the cut-age for the Adult Grid (18 years old) makes things even more difficult. I guess admission events would have to be held on both grids, unless Linden Labs open a special grid for higher ed.

3- I like the idea. I actually had another crazy idea similar to yours after reading “Marketing to Avatars” from the Harvard Business Review about a month ago: rebuilding a replica of your university campus, so students can really get a good idea of how it is, and maybe even go through orientation in SL before they arrive.

When/If SL gets mainstream, anything is possible. I guess at some point we could also create a private college with real college professors, grades and degrees. The hardest thing would probably to get it accredited, but who knows what can happen in the future with critical mass.

Love the avatar! I assume it’s yours. :)

You did a great job covering the bases here. Below are a couple thing I’ve been mulling lately relating to recruiting opportunities in Second Life.

1) Some schools are already holding classes in SL, where there is a special discount for educators. It seems natural for institutions who are already holding classes in SL also to recruit in SL. This is not to suggest that cross-promoting your school from Second Life to first life isn’t a bad idea regardless.

2) Adults aren’t banned from Teen SL; they’re just relegated to certain areas. So while there is the opportunity to set up a recruiting outpost in Teen SL, I haven’t heard about anyone trying it yet.

3) What about the idea of engaging your school’s media students in a project to build a virtual university in SL, where an institution can hold virtual recruiting sessions that to some extent mirror real campus visits? This kind of development effort could open opportunities for the institution far beyond the needs of recruiters.