New Year, New Strategies: Admissions Planning Tips for Higher Ed Leaders

As the calendar turns to 2025, admissions and enrollment teams have an opportunity to refine strategies and focus on building stronger connections with prospective and current students. A new year is the perfect time to revisit communication workflows, enhance outreach efforts, and improve student engagement. By leveraging the right tools and approaches, institutions can achieve their enrollment and retention goals.

Below, we provide actionable admissions planning tips to help guide your efforts for the spring semester and beyond. From engaging January applicants to streamlining the add/drop process, we’ll explore how tools like Conversation Intelligence Platforms (CIPs) can help.

January 2025: A Fresh Approach to Engaging Applicants

January marks a pivotal time to engage prospective students who may still be deciding on their next steps. Platforms like the Common App remain essential for reaching a broad audience. In the 2023–2024 cycle, institutions reported a 5% increase in first-year students applying through the Common App compared to the previous year.

To make the most of this time, consider these strategies:

• Use Data Effectively: Review application data from prior cycles to identify trends and refine your outreach efforts.
• Automate Communication: Implement a CIP to send reminders about deadlines, required documents, and upcoming events.
• Coordinate Across Departments: Ensure all teams involved in student communications are aligned to deliver consistent messaging.

Enrollment Tips for the Spring Semester

Spring enrollment trends show encouraging signs of growth. In 2024, institutions reported a 2.5% overall increase, with the University of Tennessee achieving a 7.3% rise. While 2025 data is still forthcoming, it’s clear that proactive communication and support are key to fostering student engagement.

A Conversation Intelligence Platform like Mongoose can help your team:

• Welcome New Students: Send personalized welcome messages directly to students’ phones to start the semester on a positive note.
• Remind Students About Orientation: Automate reminders about events, key deadlines, and next steps.
• Support At-Risk Students: Use analytics to identify students who may need additional outreach or resources.

Streamlining the Add/Drop Process

The add/drop period often creates high demand for advising staff, as many students finalize their schedules. At Washington University in St. Louis, elective courses can see drop rates as high as 15–20%, adding complexity to this time of year.

Here’s how a CIP can help:

• Simplify Course Adjustments: AI assistants can guide students through the add/drop process, suggest alternative courses, and answer frequently asked questions.
• Highlight Priority Cases: Analytics tools can flag students who may require direct support, helping advisors focus their efforts.
• Send Timely Alerts: Automated text campaigns can remind students of add/drop deadlines, encouraging them to take action.

“We’ve found that students respond much faster to text reminders than email, which helps us manage key deadlines effectively,” shared a Mongoose client.

Finalizing Admissions Decisions

For prospective students, January often represents a critical stage in the college decision-making process. A CIP ensures timely and relevant communication with applicants, addressing their questions and encouraging next steps.

Here are some ways a CIP like Mongoose can assist:

• Provide Application Updates: Inform students of their application status and notify them about missing documents.
• Use Multi-Channel Outreach: Leverage SMS, WhatsApp, or email to connect with students on their preferred platforms.
• Personalize Follow-Ups: Tailor messaging to reflect each student’s interests, behavior, or stage in the application process.

Addressing Concerns for First-Time Students

Starting college is a major decision, and many first-time students face uncertainties beyond finances. According to Edge Research, students are increasingly hesitant about postsecondary education due to concerns about career outcomes and long-term value.

To address these concerns, institutions should:

• Showcase Career Pathways: Use messaging to highlight how specific programs align with in-demand jobs and industries.
• Engage Students Proactively: Use a CIP to respond to common questions about programs and share success stories.
• Inspire Confidence: Provide clear, straightforward information about how your institution supports student success during and after graduation.

By leveraging tools that help personalize outreach, you can guide students toward enrollment with confidence.

Looking Ahead: Admissions Strategies for 2025

The spring semester provides a valuable window to refine your institution’s communication strategy and prepare for the challenges of the new year. With a Conversation Intelligence Platform, your team can:

• Anticipate Needs: Analyze conversational data to identify trends and proactively address student concerns.
• Scale Communication: Reach large audiences with personalized messaging across multiple channels.
• Support Retention Efforts: Deliver timely, empathetic communication to students throughout the semester.

Set Your Institution Up for Success

January is the perfect time to align your admissions strategy with the tools and techniques that drive results. Mongoose’s Conversation Intelligence Platform simplifies communication, supports staff, and helps institutions build stronger connections with their students.

Book a demo today to see how Mongoose can transform your admissions planning for 2025 and beyond.

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