The Applicants Stage in the Enrollment Funnel

The enrollment funnel is the cornerstone of every successful student recruitment strategy. It guides prospective students from initial awareness to final enrollment through key stages: Prospects, Inquiries, Applicants, Admits, and Deposits. Among these, the Applicants stage plays a crucial role, transforming interest into commitment. In this blog, we’ll break down why the Applicants stage is pivotal, the challenges institutions face in this phase, and how ConexED provides innovative solutions to streamline the process.

For insights into the earlier stage of the funnel, check out our post on Optimizing Stage 2 of the Higher Ed Enrollment Funnel: Inquiries and Solutions.

‍

What Is the Enrollment Funnel and Why Does It Matter?

The enrollment funnel is a strategic framework that helps colleges and universities attract, engage, and enroll students. Each stage requires targeted strategies to retain prospective students and encourage progression to the next step.

The Applicants stage is the midpoint in this process and represents a significant opportunity to move students closer to enrollment. By this stage, students have shown genuine intent, but they’re also at risk of abandoning the process if institutions fail to offer the right support.

Optimizing this phase ensures higher application completion rates and reduces drop-offs, directly impacting an institution's enrollment goals.

Why the Applicants Stage Is Critical

The Applicants stage is where prospective students take action by formally submitting applications, showing a serious interest in attending your institution. However, this step is also where many institutions lose potential students due to challenges such as unclear requirements, lack of communication, and an overwhelming process.

Why this stage is crucial for enrollment success:

• High Stakes in Competition: With more colleges competing for the same pool of students, a confusing application process can drive applicants elsewhere.
• Preventing Drop-Offs: A report by Inside Higher Ed highlights how overly complex or unclear instructions can lead to application abandonment, with as many as 40% of students failing to complete their applications. Read more here.
• Maximizing ROI: Institutions invest heavily in attracting prospects. Ensuring those prospects complete their applications protects recruitment budgets and boosts enrollment numbers.

Challenges Colleges Face During the Applicants Stage

Despite its importance, the Applicants stage is one of the most challenging phases to optimize:

• Complex Application Requirements: Students often struggle to manage multiple components like essays, recommendation letters, and supporting documents.
• Lack of Personalized Guidance: Without access to real-time assistance, applicants feel disconnected and unsupported during the process.
• Disjointed Processes: Many institutions rely on outdated or fragmented systems, leading to confusion and incomplete applications.

The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) emphasizes the importance of student support during the application process. According to their research, 61% of students feel unsupported, making it essential for institutions to rethink their strategies. Explore more on NACAC's findings here.

How ConexED Transforms the Applicants Stage

ConexED sets itself apart by addressing the pain points of the Applicants stage with advanced, student-centered technology. Unlike traditional CRMs that rely heavily on impersonal email and text communication, ConexED offers tools designed to simplify the application process and increase engagement.

What makes ConexED different in the enrollment funnel?

• Virtual Lobby for Real-Time Support: Applicants can connect directly with admissions staff through video meetings, gaining immediate answers to questions and personalized guidance. This eliminates the frustration of waiting for email responses.
• Actionable Milestones: With ConexED, students see a clear path forward. Actionable milestones like document uploads, meeting scheduling, and form submissions keep them on track and engaged.  Learn more about how ConexED Milestones support this stage.
• Automated Follow-Ups: ConexED’s automated email and text reminders ensure students never miss a deadline while providing consistent encouragement.
• Integrated Systems: ConexED works seamlessly with institutional platforms, creating a unified experience where students can track their progress from start to finish.
• Data-Driven Insights: Administrators can monitor where applicants are dropping off and implement targeted solutions to reduce friction.

These tools not only improve the applicant experience but also empower admissions teams to manage the process efficiently, ultimately driving higher application completion rates.

For a closer look at how ConexED’s features support this stage, visit our page on Actionable Milestones.

Why Optimizing the Applicants Stage Matters for Your Institution

The Applicants stage is where interest turns into commitment. If colleges fail to meet student needs during this critical phase, they risk losing valuable candidates to competitors. By leveraging technology like ConexED, institutions can provide a frictionless, supportive application experience that encourages completion and builds confidence in the institution.

Ready to transform your Applicants stage? Learn more about how ConexED can help you optimize your enrollment funnel today!

‍