It is hard to overestimate the importance of decisions made in international student admissions. Each application holds the potential for a life-altering journey, and behind every admissions process stands a team striving for maximum outcomes with finite resources. How, then, can institutions humanize their admissions process without sacrificing the efficiency so desperately needed? Many grapple with this question, and the answer, as we’ll explore, lies in understanding the subtle yet powerful forces that guide human behavior.
In a recent episode of EdTech and Pancakes, we spoke with Rita Csuri-Magosi and Emília Szörényi from the esteemed University of Szeged in Hungary. Their insights reveal a remarkable transformation within their international admissions office, a shift fueled by DreamApply’s software that has led to a more personalized student experience, streamlined internal processes, and increased applicant trust.
It’s a success story echoed across Hungary, where institutions like the University of Pécs, Corvinus University of Budapest, Budapest University of Economics and Business, Eötvös Loránd University and Tempus Public Foundation (Stipendium Hungaricum), have similarly chosen DreamApply to power their admissions, student recruitment and scholarship management.
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Let’s break down what Emília and Rita shared and what it means for institutions looking to scale student recruitment without sacrificing quality or humanity.
What’s the real challenge behind marketing an educational product?
University admissions teams are often overwhelmed with tasks: multiple systems, unclear steps for applicants, and pressure to meet ambitious enrollment targets.
“If you’re helping someone make one of the most important decisions of their life, you have to be there for them”, says Emília.
Admissions processes that are overly procedural and complex can damage trust early on. Students may feel confused about what to expect, and internal teams can find it difficult to coordinate effectively. The team at the University of Szeged emphasizes that the key to overcoming these challenges is simplicity.
“We tried to make everything much more clear, much more understandable, and much more user-friendly,” Rita explains.
How did DreamApply transform Szeged’s student recruitment?
The team at Szeged knew they needed a better system. DreamApply became the foundation not only for managing applications but also for improving how their entire team works together.
“DreamApply is not only an application tool, it’s more like a system that helps us check who is doing what, how the cases are progressing, and also to assign users to the tasks”, explains Emília.
The software introduced clarity to an otherwise scattered workflow. Everyone on the team could see where each applicant stood, what actions were pending, and who was responsible.
“We use it like a CRM system. It’s easier to manage tasks and see the actual process at any moment, so we never lose an applicant or forget to answer”, says Rita
Which small changes had the biggest impact on admissions?
One of the most surprising lessons?
“We raised the fee, and surprisingly it brought more trust. It shows that we have a serious system in place”, explains Rita.
Instead of deterring students, a well-explained and transparent fee structure acted as a filter for attracting more committed applicants. DreamApply helped justify this by clearly showing each step in the fee process and reducing ambiguity.
Another key lesson: ask fewer, better questions.
“We used to ask a lot, like everything on the first page. Now we only ask what is needed, and it’s much more friendly”, says Emília.
Can you personalize the applicant experience without adding more work?
The conventional wisdom dictates that personalization demands more effort. However, Emília illustrated how, with the right tools, the University of Szeged managed to sustain deeply personal connections with applicants even as application volumes surged. Rather than resorting to generic email blasts or manual, time-consuming responses, they leveraged DreamApply to dispatch targeted, timely messages, precisely attuned to each student’s unique stage in the application process.
“We believe in personalized support. And DreamApply helps us to keep that: to send messages based on their actual stage, and follow up when it’s needed” says Emília.
The outcome? Fewer misunderstandings, faster responses, and applicants who felt genuinely guided rather than lost in a bureaucratic labyrinth. DreamApply’s integrated communication tools, including two-way messaging and automated, customizable notifications, empower institutions to deliver this personalized touch at scale, fostering a sense of genuine connection that stands out in a crowded field. Discover more features here.
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You don’t need to rip out your current system to rethink your admissions strategy. Start with a low-effort, high-impact first step: the DreamApply strategy booster. It’s not a demo. It’s not a sales call. It’s a fast, focused check-in on how your admissions process stacks up, and where small changes could unlock big wins. You’ll receive:
- A quick discovery form tailored to your goals
- Strategic feedback grounded in real use cases
- Optional follow-up if you want to go deeper
If it makes sense, we’ll show you how other European universities are using DreamApply to modernize, personalize and align their admissions workflows.
And if it doesn’t? You’ll still walk away with actionable insights.
Take your next step and learn how you can use DreamApply to make your institution the top choice for the current and next generation of students.
About DreamApply
Founded in 2011 in Estonia, DreamApply is an innovation-driven EdTech organization that improves access to education around the globe. DreamApply’s admissions 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.
Request a live walk-through of DreamApply with an expert.