About the Episode
About the Episode: When yield is the focus, personalization is key. But, just how personalized could an event be? John and his team at Waukesha County Technical College had an idea to create an event where — no matter where you were in the post-app funnel — you would leave the event as an enrolled student. Yes, that included transferring credit, accepting, advising, scheduling courses, and committing — all as part of one single event. They called it, Admission Accomplished, and that they did: 75% of the attendees left the event completely enrolled.
Special shoutout to Kaylan Gaines and Dee Dee Wallace at WCTC who made Admission Accomplished a tactic we all want to try!
Check out Admission Accomplished: https://www.wctc.edu/events/admission-accomplished/index.php
Key Takeaways
- Streamlined Enrollment Events: WCTC’s "Admission Accomplished" event enables prospective students to complete all necessary enrollment steps in one visit, driving an impressive 72% enrollment rate.
- Personalized Student Experience: By offering a guided, hands-on approach with a clear path from application to registration, WCTC enhances student engagement and satisfaction.
- Low-Cost, High-Impact Approach: Through strategic staffing and minimal advertising, WCTC keeps costs low, focusing on a personalized, impactful experience for each student.
- Iterative Improvement: The event format is continuously refined to address bottlenecks and enhance the student journey, demonstrating the importance of adaptability in enrollment strategy.
Episode Summary
What Inspired "Admission Accomplished"?
WCTC was facing a yield problem, with too many students falling between orientation and full enrollment. John McGreal and his team devised "Admission Accomplished" as a response—a targeted event that invites students in any stage of the admissions funnel to campus, where they can complete the entire enrollment process within a few hours. The goal was to provide a low-cost, high-return event that not only boosts yield but also personalizes the student experience. By involving essential student services in a single location, WCTC created a streamlined experience where students could leave fully registered for classes.
How Does "Admission Accomplished" Work?
The success of the event hinges on a highly organized, collaborative structure. WCTC places representatives from financial aid, academic advising, career services, and more into a central location. This setup forms an “enrollment assembly line,” where students move from one support station to the next, resolving any questions or requirements along the way. For example, students without transcripts can complete placement testing on-site, while academic advising staff prepare program-specific guides for their course planning. The result? A smooth, efficient experience where students can feel confident and informed at each stage.
Overcoming Challenges and Refining the Process
The event’s initial launch faced hurdles, including hesitancy from staff concerned about the logistics of delivering specialized advising across WCTC’s 150 programs. By implementing program-specific advising guides and organizing teams to assist students in small groups, the team addressed these concerns. After each event, WCTC collects feedback to make iterative improvements, like adding student ambassadors for additional support and experimenting with different event locations. Recent shifts, such as moving the event to a student services hallway, help students familiarize themselves with campus resources, further enhancing the event’s value.
How Is Success Measured?
"Admission Accomplished" has exceeded expectations, with approximately 72% of attendees completing enrollment by the end of the event. Despite minor logistical adjustments, the overall format has remained remarkably effective. Each session hosts about 50 students, keeping the experience intimate and manageable. WCTC also sees consistent walk-ins, balancing out the no-show rate, which helps them predict attendance accurately for future events. With plans to scale up to four events during the summer, the team continues to optimize for efficiency, aiming to retain the personalized experience while reaching more students.
Future Enhancements and Expansion Possibilities
WCTC is considering enhancements to celebrate students’ enrollment success, such as offering T-shirts or photo opportunities upon completing registration. John also discusses the potential of adapting "Admission Accomplished" for larger institutions, noting that personalization is key to replicating its impact. They’ve developed a companion event called "Admission Possible," focused on hands-on program demonstrations to drive application generation. Each event targets a different stage in the enrollment funnel, allowing WCTC to meet prospective students wherever they are in their decision-making journey.
About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Talking Tactics is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!
Some of our favorites include Mission Admissions and Higher Ed Pulse.
Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.
Connect with Us at the Engage Summit:
Exciting news — many of your favorite Enrollify creators will be at the 2024 Engage Summit in Raleigh, NC, on June 25 and 26, and we’d love to meet you there! Sessions will focus on cutting-edge AI applications that are reshaping student outreach, enhancing staff productivity, and offering deep insights into ROI.
Use the discount code Enrollify50 at checkout, and you can register for just $99! This early bird pricing lasts until March 31.
Learn more and register at engage.element451.com — we can’t wait to see you there!
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