Admissions management has never been more complex. As application numbers rise and international recruitment becomes a bigger focus, many institutions find themselves juggling more responsibilities than ever. Through our experience working with over 300 educational institutions in 40 countries, we’ve seen some of the most common challenges that admissions teams face, and how DreamApply’s software can help overcome them.
1. Handling the increasing volume of applications
If your institution is receiving more applications than ever before, you’re not alone. With globalization making higher education more accessible, many universities are seeing a surge in applicants. But with that comes the pressure of managing huge volumes of applications manually. Sorting documents, sending reminders, and updating statuses can quickly become overwhelming.
DreamApply’s automation features streamline this entire process. By automating routine tasks like tracking documents and sending reminders for missing information, institutions have reported up to a 40% reduction in the time spent on manual processing.
For example, if your admissions team is currently spending 50 hours a week on these tasks, DreamApply can reduce that to just 30 hours, freeing up valuable time for engaging with students or other strategic priorities.
2. Fragmented communication with applicants
Communication is at the heart of a smooth admissions process, but fragmented systems , whether it’s juggling emails, phone calls or multiple messaging platforms, can make it difficult to stay organized. This disjointed communication can leave applicants feeling disconnected and frustrated.
DreamApply’s two-way messaging feature solves this by centralizing all communication in one place. Applicants can reply to emails directly, and their responses are automatically captured within the system.
This ensures that every message and document stays in one easily accessible thread, helping you create a more responsive and seamless communication process. Applicants feel heard, and your admissions team can stay on top of every conversation without the risk of missed information.
3. International admissions management
International student recruitment brings unique challenges. Different visa requirements, document formats and deadlines make the admissions process more complex, which often lead to confusion or delays in processing applications.
DreamApply offers customized workflows that adapt to each international applicant’s profile. You can automatically adjust deadlines, visa requirements and other document needs based on the student’s nationality or chosen program. This streamlines the process and reduces errors, helping institutions see increases in international student enrollment. On average, institutions using DreamApply have reported up to a 50% increase in international applications.
A standout example is the University of Pavia, which saw a 1000% increase in total applications over 5 years, with DreamApply playing a key role in streamlining and automating their admissions process. Read more about their success here.
4. Managing scholarships, tuition and fees
Administering scholarships and collecting tuition fees can be a logistical headache when different systems are used for different tasks. Students might need to navigate multiple portals, which leads to confusion and inefficiencies. These issues don’t just affect the students but also cause delays and errors for your team.
DreamApply’s tuition and fee collection system integrates everything into one platform. Students can make payments securely through various gateways, and you get a real-time view of who has paid and who hasn’t. On top of that, DreamApply simplifies scholarship management, allowing you to track and allocate funds based on predefined criteria like merit or need. This centralization not only makes it easier for you but also improves the student experience.
5. Struggling to align admissions with marketing efforts
Your marketing team is working hard to attract students, but if your admissions process isn’t aligned with your recruitment campaigns, those efforts can fall short. Many institutions struggle to track how their marketing campaigns translate into actual enrollments, leading to a disconnect between the two departments.
DreamApply bridges this gap by integrating seamlessly with marketing tools like Google Analytics and UTM tracking. This alignment allows you to track the full applicant journey—from the moment a prospective student clicks on a marketing ad to the point of enrollment. With these insights, you can adjust your campaigns and optimize your strategies for better results. Institutions using DreamApply have reported more streamlined and data-driven recruitment processes.
Learn more about how DreamApply supports higher education marketing efforts to improve outcomes.
About DreamApply
Founded in 2011 in Estonia, DreamApply is an innovation-driven EdTech organization that improves access to education around the globe. DreamApply’s application management software helps more than 300 educational institutions across 40 countries improve admissions, marketing, financial and other internal processes.
DreamApply’s easy-to-use and customizable software increases student enrollment by 30% and reduces application processing time by 40%. With features designed with and for educational institutions, and integrations with commonly used systems, DreamApply empowers teams to get more done with less effort.
Book a live demo with an expert to explore how DreamApply can support your institution’s unique goals.