Your Applications Are Up, But Are You Prepared for Yield Season?

The following is excerpted from a blog by Spark451, a Jenzabar Company.

My first year of admissions (*ahem,* many moons ago), we made the class with some elbow grease, events, notecards, and phone calls (gasp!). We worked hard, we did at least the minimum number of contacts per week, and the algorithm just…worked. Inevitably someone would always say, “Our jobs are based on the whims of 17-year-old kids.”

Sound familiar?

While true at its core, there are quite a few things within our control to help read into those “whims” and use the data to direct our efforts. We’ve gathered up some of the biggest topics from this fall and winter for you to consider as you develop your yield plan this spring.

Direct Admit Agreements Are the Latest Wave — But Will Students Matriculate?

Direct admit programs, while not new, are better organized on a larger, more accessible scale. In November 2023, nearly 300,000 students received admissions decisions via the Common Application’s Direct Admit Program — without even applying first. While some students interviewed said it was a “nice option,” many said it would not change their list of top schools. But it does contribute to the “noise” in the market.

So how do we respond to this new admissions trend? A focus on strong, authentic, admitted student communications is paramount. Make sure you are clear and concise about your outcomes and student experiences. Speaking to students about their interests and goals directly will help them (and you!) understand if your school is a best-fit for them. Add in well-timed student and family surveys for feedback. These kinds of data points, coupled with consumer behavior data points, will create informed outreach strategies for you and your team.

For the full list of yield topics, trends, and takes read the entire article here.

To explore how Jenzabar and Spark451 can help you find, recruit, and enroll more right-fit students, read about our Strategic Enrollment Suite.