Mystery Shopper Magazine

College admission shops that you’ll find on mystery shopping job boards are aimed at “for profit” institutions [think the schools you see advertising degrees on TV]. Usually, these shops have very specific aims regarding what is promised during the admission process.

First, you admissions officer, or counselor, cannot promise that you will get a job, or a pay raise, upon graduation. Phrases such as, “A degree can make you more valuable to your employer,” and, “Once you have your degree you should be able to get a higher income,” are acceptable because they do not promise a result once you get a degree. Likewise, statements that do not promise employment once you get a degree are also acceptable. On the other hand, statements that make a definite promise are unacceptable, i.e., “Once you graduate with your business degree, you will get a higher paying job with Norfolk Southern Railway.”

Another target area on these shops is financial aid. You need to pay attention to make sure the difference between student loans, grants, and scholarships is explained. You may or may not meet with a financial aid officer during your shop.

It is possible to create a route of these shops. In most instances, you will have to treat them like new home shops and have aliases and additional phone numbers or email addresses available. When I’m doing a route, the only consistent part of my story is I’m moving to the area in the next 3-6 weeks, so the best way to get in touch with me will be by email.

These shops are available in all three types, traditional, audio, and video. The shop duration runs anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours and the pay can range from $30 to $100. While the audio shops specify a smartphone, I’ve done them with a digital voice recorder that allowed me to upload the file to my computer and email it that way. Check with the MSC to make sure it is within their guidelines.

MSC’s that have these shop include About Face and The Shadow Agency.