The 14 practices and toolkit included in this study will help you improve applicant conversion and capture prospect mindshare through your marketing and recruitment efforts.
Executive summary: Growing pressure to recover enrollmentsAs the number of traditional-aged students continues to decline, community college leaders must focus on enrollment and recruitment strategies in their control. However, with an ever-growing variety of student segments, like enrichment seekers, single parents, returning veterans and working adults, it can be daunting to develop a recruitment strategy that encompasses every type of audience.
This resource is part of the Improve Communications across the Community College Student Lifecycle Roadmap. Access the Roadmap for stepwise guidance with additional tools and research.
Increasing applicant conversionHistorically, most colleges have provided minimal guidance to incoming students as they navigate enrollment. At the same time, incoming students are overwhelmed by the complex enrollment process, including understanding financial aid terminology or recalling high school math placement tests. This provides an opportunity for college administrators to enhance the level of support they offer during this process.
Practice 1: Missing step enrollment promptsLake-Sumter State College sends personalized emails to applicants to alert them to remaining steps in the enrollment process. Admissions staff email applicants approximately five times during each admissions cycle. Each message provides instructions to complete a specific enrollment step such as financial aid, orientation, or registration.
The college has seen a substantial return on this modest investment of staff time. From 2013 to 2015,…