In 2023, DreamApply exceeded its goals by delivering 23 new features and 75 enhancements to the software, which included new bulk actions, financial processing improvements and user interface updates.
Our Configuration and Product Manager, Breck Shuyler, has a few favorites among these upgrades. Here’s a closer look at his top picks:
- Bulk Actions: This useful feature allows administrators to apply one action to multiple or all applicants.
- Shopping Cart: This is a part of our Finance add-on, and it offers applicants a range of items to purchase. Our system automatically issues an invoice based on the selection made in the shopping cart during checkout.
- Performance Insights: This feature provides detailed information about applicants’ progress, including insights from Trackers, Advisors or Citizenship. It’s especially useful for recruitment and marketing teams.
Bulk Actions: A game-changer for admissions officers that takes existing features to the next level.
Admissions officers often ask about bulk actions that save time for staff and improve the application process for applicants. DreamApply’s Application Freeze feature is a prime example of the benefits that bulk actions can offer. By freezing applications all at once, administrators save a significant amount of time that would otherwise be spent on manual application updates.
Another notable enhancement is the ability to add attachments [in bulk] to emails when sending bulk offers. This upgrade has proved to be a game-changer, as it saves administrators time that would otherwise be spent manually uploading attachments one by one. In comparison to a manual application freeze, bulk attachment upload saves even more time.
Do bulk actions cost extra?
Rest assured that bulk actions are a free feature within your purchased system. At DreamApply, we continue to improve and upgrade our features based on client feedback at no further cost to the client.
Speaking of costs, we know how much effort and detail finance offices require when processing applicants. We also know that financial requirements vary from local to regional/national and international applicants, and the amount of information combined with a large intake increases the chance of confusion, error and inconsistency.
Reduce confusion, error, inconsistency and processing time with the Finance add-on’s Shopping Cart and other customizable features.
With the Shopping Cart (example pictured below), applicants can view available items or services for purchase in one centralized location, including costs, and use an automated payment integration for a full-cycle purchasing experience that is consistent for all applicants and error-free for the administrator.
The inventory of items is created and maintained by the administrator through the Inventory System, allowing for customization of the items offered, including an image, description, and cost, as well as the items’ availability for immediate purchase or to be added by the administrator as needed.
What else does the Finance add-on offer?
In addition to the shopping cart, our Finance add-on includes several features that further automate your fee payments, invoices and VAT rules. You can set and customize fees based on their purpose such as tuition, registration, accommodation, insurance, etc., and assign different fees based on applicants’ location.
Through customization, applicants can expect a smooth and clear process that is tailored to their specific needs. This personalized approach to applicants reduces processing delays, minimizes requests for clarification and increases staff’s availability for other priorities.
In 2024, you can prioritize prospective applicants who already showed interest in your institution by using performance insights.
Performance Insights allows you to track the progress of your leads from registration to your desired goal. By applying the relevant tracker filter, you can filter leads based on the marketing channel that they came from. This provides you with more information to understand the performance of your campaigns, agents, agencies and countries from which your applicants come.
Why is tracking leads so important?
One of our integration partners, no-code automation service Zapier, discusses in-depth the 3 ways to automatically keep track of your leads and the importance of this process. In the linked article, Zapier’s content operations manager Janine Anderson writes that “bringing in new leads is one of the most critical things you can do when growing a business.” With DreamApply’s leads funnel (example pictured below), you can do exactly that.
With the data that the leads funnel provides, you can focus on re-targeting applicants who have already shown interest in your institution, even if they only started the application process or viewed your marketing campaign. This approach will help you achieve more with less effort.
Where can I get more details on each of these enhancements, features and other relevant updates to the system?
For existing clients, we detail all changes, enhancements and new features in our release notes, which can be found on the DreamApply Dashboard under the customer satisfaction query. These release notes include detailed explanations and screenshots to help you navigate the updates.
About DreamApply
Founded in 2011 in Estonia, DreamApply is an innovation-driven EdTech organization improving access to education around the globe. DreamApply’s application management software helps more than 300 educational institutions across 40 countries to 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.
Continue exploring by requesting your free, personalized demo.
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