Even in the digital age, finding promising students is a challenge. Administrators need to leverage data to manage the overwhelming number of applications coming into even middle-sized schools—but when data is used as a replacement for personal, one-on-one connections, the pursuit of an “ideal student” can leave potentially successful applicants out in the cold. Admissions teams need to factor in both hard data such as test scores and transcripts as well as soft data such as extracurriculars, backgrounds, and passions to identify the full spectrum of students that might excel within their institution. Luckily, digital tools such as Salesforce can centralize student data and automate the process, allowing admissions teams to focus on the real priority: helping students succeed.

On this episode of Transformation @ Work, we challenge the idea that there’s an “ideal student” for a given institution and instead dig into how digitalized, easily accessible data can help administrators recognize high-potential candidates.

Key Insights

3:30 - What we mean when we say “there’s no ideal student for an institution”

05:07 - Shifting the focus in admissions from “ideal students” to “students that might excel at our institution”

07:04 - The importance of relationship-building in admissions, and using the application process to kickstart that relationship

11:09 - How digital tools such as Salesforce can allow administrators to “meet students where they are” in the relationship-building process

13:48 - The challenges in building personal relationships with students at scale

17:24 - How admissions officers can leverage data to get a clearer picture of students who might be successful in an institution

20:22 - Using data to facilitate the relationship-building process with students at scale

22:33 - Transforming student data into personalized messaging and meaningful, real relationships

25:29 - How admissions officers can use data to connect students with the resources they need to thrive