Finding Purpose In A Tough Admissions Cycle

FAFSA

Admissions Cycle

Yield Management

Staff Morale

May 9, 2024

minutes read.

Finding Purpose In A Tough Admissions Cycle

As we navigate through the complexities and uncertainties of the 2024 admissions cycle, marked by FAFSA delays, enrollment fluctuations, and significant disruptions, it's more crucial than ever to pause and reflect on our purpose. This year, perhaps more than most, calls for a reconnection with the driving force behind our work in admissions—the deep-seated desire to make a meaningful impact on students' lives.

Reflecting on purpose allows us to anchor ourselves amidst turbulent seas. It reminds us of the profound significance of our roles as admissions directors—the opportunity to guide, support, and empower students on their educational journeys.

Consider the moments that reaffirm your purpose. Is it the heartfelt gratitude expressed by a first-generation college student who receives their acceptance letter? Or the sense of fulfillment when a student from a marginalized background finds their voice and potential on your campus?

Our purpose extends beyond numbers and statistics; it's about transforming lives, fostering growth, and creating opportunities for those who aspire to reach higher. It's about being a catalyst for change and championing equity and access in higher education.

In the face of challenges, purpose becomes our guiding light. It fuels our resilience, ignites our creativity, and reminds us of the intrinsic rewards of our work. It's what motivates us to innovate, adapt, and persevere, even in the toughest of times.

As we continue through this unprecedented year and unending yield cycle, let's recommit to our purpose and the values that drive us. Let's embrace the challenges as opportunities to reaffirm our impact and make a difference in the lives of students, families, and communities.

In the midst of uncertainty, our purpose remains unwavering. It's a beacon of hope, a source of inspiration, and a reminder of the transformative power of education. Let's carry this sense of purpose with us, finding joy and fulfillment in every interaction, decision, and accomplishment.

Here's to embracing purpose, finding joy in admissions, and making a lasting impact on the lives we touch.

‍

Teege Mettille

Higher education professional with experience in admissions, enrollment, retention, residence life, and teaching. After working on six different college campuses, I'm excited to be consulting with a wide variety of institutions to better meet enrollment targets.I have been fortunate to serve as President of the Wisconsin

Comments

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Featured blog posts

Unlock Yield by Addressing Behavior-Action Mismatches in Enrollment

October 30, 2024

minutes read.

Introduction
In today’s competitive enrollment landscape, yield and retention hinge on data-driven precision. Traditional methods often fall short, relying on subjective judgment and missing critical engagement signals. enroll ml changes this by identifying behavior-action mismatches, helping admissions leaders spot opportunities and risks in real time for measurable impact.

Understanding Behavior-Action Mismatches
Behavior-action mismatches occur when engagement doesn’t align with commitment indicators, such as:

High Engagement, No Commitment: High-potential students show interest but haven’t reached a commitment milestone, signaling a prime yield opportunity.
Low Engagement, Commitment Met: Students with commitment indicators but low engagement, often an early indicator of melt risk.

Challenges with Traditional Methods
For many admissions teams, sifting through high application volumes and disconnected engagement data can feel overwhelming. Traditional models track disconnected behaviors that may correlate with enrollment but don’t provide enough depth to detect patterns. This often leads to delays or missed opportunities for timely intervention.

How enroll ml Closes the Gaps
enroll ml’s machine learning and Outcome Optimization Theory detect behavior-action mismatches in real time, transforming how admissions teams prioritize engagement:

Multi-Marker Modeling: By analyzing an interconnected range of behaviors—engagement depth, timing, communication patterns—enroll ml precisely identifies high-potential, high-impact students.
Automated Flagging and Prioritization: enroll ml flags behavior-action mismatches daily, eliminating time spent on manual record review. This prioritization empowers teams to re-engage at-risk students before melt occurs, turning data analysis into focused, real-time action.

Strategic Impact of Addressing Behavior-Action Mismatches
By automating prioritization, enroll ml can reduce counselor time spent on administrative tasks by up to 30%, freeing them to focus on high-impact engagement with top-yield prospects.

Enhanced Yield: With immediate engagement, admissions teams lift yield by focusing on high-engagement students nearing commitment.
- Case in Point: Within days of launch, Columbia College Missouri identified and converted high-potential students previously overlooked, directly boosting yield by X%.
Reduced Melt: Proactive outreach to at-risk students with commitment indicators minimizes last-minute withdrawals.
- Case in Point: Roosevelt University significantly reduced melt by re-engaging low-engagement depositors flagged by enroll ml, leading to X% decrease in summer melt.

Takeaway for Enrollment Leaders
Monitoring and responding to behavior-action mismatches directly impacts final yield outcomes. With enroll ml, admissions teams continuously identify actionable signals, strategically unlocking yield and reducing melt. Ready to turn data into yield? With enroll ml’s behavior-action insights, admissions leaders can unlock hidden yield potential and reduce melt, leading to X% gains in yield and X% reductions in time spent on administrative tasks.

‍