The student application process has undergone massive changes in recent years. Digitization has become the need of the hour to streamline the application process for a successful student recruitment plan. Therefore, universities are moving towards having an online application portal for students to make the process seamless.
Every year, a major chunk of students look for admission to different universities and colleges. They fill out the application forms, stand in queues for submissions, etc. However, this becomes very tedious for students, as well as the universities, to handle so many applications manually.
Today, universities and institutions are opting for various strategies to enroll and retain students. From different marketing solutions to CRMs and other tools, they are doing everything to be visible in today's competitive world and target the right audience. One such way is by making the first step of the application process efficient and simplifying it by introducing an online student application system.
A student application portal is an online platform where students can submit their university applications and documents. Besides, they can also check the status of their application, submit fees, etc., on that platform itself. Universities, on the other hand, can use this platform to review applications, handle students' queries, update application status, etc. This platform can also be integrated with other functions such as marketing, finance, administration, etc. It brings transparency to the process as the students are aware of what is happening at every step.
Benefits of an online student portal
An online admission system helps universities streamline the processes, leading to smooth student enrolment.
An online student application system resolves various issues and mitigates the need for manual work. Firstly, institutions can map the entire student application journey, from student inquiries to applications and counseling, through the online portal. Automating the application process and integrating the portal with CRMs will allow universities to track the volume of applications and enrolment trends. This will help them strategize marketing and other activities based on these trends.
The application system allows institutions to create customized application forms, set up workflows, etc., as per the needs of the organizations. They can also access the student database quickly, which leads to easy information sharing and filters the candidates for the next step of the process.
As the portal is quite user-friendly, the application process becomes easier for students, resulting in fewer dropouts. Besides, if a student leaves the application halfway, universities can track that and nudge them to complete it. The students can get relevant information via personalized emails or messages which can keep them engaged with the institutions.
The portal can operate with minimum human intervention, which reduces the chances of error as the officials don't need to accept or review applications manually. All the admissions tasks can be managed effectively with such a tool, and the officials can focus on essential tasks by digitizing such mundane tasks.
Use AI to streamline university admissions
What to look for in a student admissions portal?
The admissions system has helped universities automate mundane tasks, saving time, costs, and effort. As a result, universities are looking for an admission portal with the best features for simplified enrolment processes and reaching a broader audience base.
One of the crucial features that universities must look at while integrating software is student-centricity. It is essential to keep the target audience in mind and have a system in place per their needs. Such an interface can guide students throughout the application process, and they can still complete their applications at their own pace and convenience. Besides, institutions must ensure the portal is mobile-friendly as many students might use mobile phones to fill out the applications.
While considering students' needs is essential, universities must look at the admission systems that work well for them too. Opting for a system that can easily be integrated with their existing software will help them garner accurate information and actionable insights. Such systems can be integrated with institutions' marketing software, payment gateway, and other such platforms. Such an integrated system would also allow universities to track and follow up with qualified leads.
A built-in support feature in the portal is also crucial for assisting students with their queries, engaging with them, and building meaningful ties. It will help universities communicate effectively with prospects and provide all the relevant information. The transition of students to the university can also be made easy by meeting their needs with such quick support features.
How is iSchool360’s portal helping universities scale admissions?
iSchool360’s admission dashboard allows universities to track multiple applications on a single platform.
iSchool360—an online admissions platform, supports institutions at every step of the admission and enrolment process with its advanced AI technology and learned professionals. Its admissions enablement module consists of a robust admission portal that allows universities to manage multiple student applications on a single platform.
The universities can search applications by university or student by selecting the filters as needed, tracking the status of applications of students, and even nudging them to complete the applications within the deadline. The 360-degree dashboard also allows universities to review students' documents and notify them if something is missing.
The technology-intensive dashboard provides instant feedback on the quality of leads/applicants based on a holistic evaluation. Besides, the dedicated admissions experts help universities connect with prospects with in-country representation and personalized marketing.
A holistic evaluation of students’ profiles helps universities target the right audience.
Conclusion
While the admission processes are tedious for institutions, with the number of applications surging every year, such technological advancements are helping universities reach academic success. The tailored application process is leading to institutions enhancing student admissions and enrolments. As a result, the global admission software market is projected to reach USD 2 Billion
by 2028 at a CAGR of 12.31% from 2021-2028. Digitization at the very beginning of the process and the significant benefits of admission systems are increasing their demand at a great pace and will only grow in the future.
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