In this article, you’ll learn how to prevent applicant drop-offs with 3 proven strategies, supported by real applicant stories.
Strategy 1 – Eliminate uncertainty and delight applicants with personalization
Imagine this: a prospective student, Caridad, opens a university application page for the first time. She’s filled with excitement about studying abroad but she is also overwhelmed. Deadlines, fees, program details – where does she start?
Yet, something is different this time. The moment she clicks on the application portal, she’s asked one simple question: “What’s your citizenship?”
With that single click, everything changes. The portal adjusts to show relevant fees, deadlines, tests and other required information specific to her situation. No need to guess, no need to juggle multiple tabs to find out what applies to her. All that’s left to do is registering an application and taking the next steps.
This was the experience of Caridad Tinaye Munyawiri, a Bachelor Student from Zimbabwe at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice.
Caridad says, “I was able to select what country I was from, and it tailored the information to my needs. It made the process so much easier, and I only needed one tab open to complete the application.”
Let’s hear directly from Caridad.
Caridad’s experience was not a convenience, it was part of the application flow in DreamApply’s software. The personalization reduced her cognitive load, eliminated the uncertainty that drives so many applicants away, and allowed her to focus on her application.
This experience wasn’t unique either. Ca’ Foscari University used DreamApply to double its incoming student applications from 5,000 to 10,000 in just one year. You can hear more about their story and watch the testimonies of Ca’Foscari’s admissions officers in this detailed case study.
Strategy 2 – Provide a clear path for the applicants’ intent to turn into action
Once an applicant registers and begins their journey, clarity becomes essential to keep the original momentum. When an applicant’s intention is triggered, it’s wise to provide a clear path where they can take as many steps as possible. Educational institutions can provide this easily with DreamApply’s admissions software, as it has already been tested by over 300 institutions in 40 + countries.
Sebastián Quiñónez, a Master student from Ecuador at Ca’ Foscari University, explains how a visual checklist kept him on track.
Sebastian says, “One of the things I really liked in the application platform was the checklist. As I uploaded my documents, I could see exactly what was left to complete. It made the entire process feel manageable.” Let’s hear from him directly.
This isn’t a static list, it is an interactive checklist that updates in real-time. Each completed task feels like progress, and every pending task serves as a clear call to action. There is no ambiguity, no second-guessing, and no unnecessary stress.
Sebastian didn’t have to wonder whether he had missed a step or left something incomplete. Instead, the admissions portal guided him seamlessly from one stage to the next.
Checklists are only one example of DreamApply’s features that have helped institutions increase international student applicants by 50%, on average. To find out the most impactful steps you can take to streamline your admissions, request a personalized strategy booster.
Strategy 3 – Give strategic nudges to prevent applicant drop-offs
Even with a seamless portal and clear steps, applicants are human, they get busy, they forget, or they lose momentum. That’s where strategic nudges come in.
When Meghna Singh, an applicant from India to the University of Pisa, started her application through DreamApply, she found everything she needed – clear document descriptions, an inbox for direct communication, and smooth payment processing. But what truly made a difference was how the system kept her informed and on track.
“I used the portal of DreamApply, and it had everything a student really needs, like a description about the documents to upload, notifications via email about finishing the application, and most importantly, smooth payment processing. It was very helpful for me. I remember completing my application in just one or two hours,” says Meghna. Watch Meghna share her story directly in her own words.
This approach isn’t accidental, it’s rooted in behavioural science, as explained by Dr. Robert Cialdini’s “Principle of Consistency and Committment”. Once someone takes an initial step (like starting an application), they are more likely to follow through if gently reminded of their previous commitment. DreamApply leverages this principle by strategically timing reminders, pointing applicants back to their progress, and encouraging them to take the next logical step.
These nudges aren’t spam, they’re purpose-driven. Each reminder aligns with the applicant’s journey, making it feel less like a push and more like a natural continuation of their path.
This is one of the reasons University of Pisa witnessed a 300% increase in incoming student applications within a year of implementing DreamApply. Explore the full success story of the University of Pisa and see how timely communication and strategic nudges drive meaningful results.
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.