As the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers,” and in the world of admissions, those flowers come in the form of deposits. By leveraging your CRM to shower students with the information, support, and encouragement they need to feel connected to your school, you’ll be well-positioned to bring in a full and vibrant fall class.

Here are the seeds you should focus on planting this month:

1. Seeds of Clarity

It’s easy to forget that not everyone knows what an enrollment deposit is or why it’s important, so help make it simple for students by doing the following:

  • Use plain language that clearly explains the WHAT and WHY of the deposit. Instead of “submit your enrollment deposit,” consider something more descriptive such as “submit your deposit to secure your spot,” or “let us know you’re coming this fall by submitting your deposit.”
  • Provide easy, step-by-step instructions on HOW and WHERE to submit the deposit, and be sure your website, microsite, portal, and emails all include prominently displayed buttons that link directly to the deposit page.

2. Seeds of Engagement

Take an omnichannel approach to May 1 reminders, engaging with students across various platforms and mediums. Send countdown emails and texts, post on social media, make phone calls, and consider hosting a live Q&A session to answer questions and help create a sense of community. Once May 1 has passed, keep the conversation going through regular emails or newsletters, and think about building an incoming student/family portal!

Element451 Pro Tip: Use Bolt Discovery and Bolt Bot to engage with your students at all hours of the day. “How to Apply” pages and RFI forms are great spots to embed these tools!

3. Seeds of Preparation

Help students get ready for their arrival by sending detailed welcome packets that include information like important dates, required documents, and a list of next steps. You could also consider hosting workshops or webinars on financial aid, scholarships, budgeting, and payment plans to help ensure families have a thorough understanding of their financial responsibilities.

Pro Tip: Create a custom enrollment checklist in your CRM to help students stay on track throughout the process!

4. Seeds of Belonging

The more connected students feel to your school, the more likely they are to want to join you! Encourage their sense of belonging by organizing comprehensive orientation programs that introduce campus resources, academic expectations, and social opportunities. Put on events or activities that allow new students to meet each other, schedule 1:1 sessions with academic advisors, or throw an on-campus welcome party! Anything that helps to foster engagement and create a sense of community.

Preparing for Next Season

Just as with all cycles of growth, as you continue tending the newest crop, you must also begin planning and cultivating for the next. One way to accomplish that is through a comprehensive student search campaign that captures students’ attention and tells your unique story. From targeted digital media and email campaigns to print publications and event support, our team utilizes the latest tools and innovations to make data-driven decisions that get results.

If you need help deciding which avenues are worth investing in, or if you’d like a hand in implementing new tactics or approaches, reach out! Our team of experts is ready to take you from search to enrollment and beyond.