Likelihood to Enroll
Last week we wrote about admissions terms like test-optional and holistic admissions. Another term we’re running across more and more often is Likelihood to Enroll (or LTE factor). It sounds simple enough, but in reality it’s part of a huge change in the last twenty years in how college admissions work. The catalyst for this change? Predictive analytics.
What is predictive analytics?
It’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like-- the use of data and statistical algorithms to predict future outcomes. Long ago, before US News & World Reports started its rankings and before colleges became insanely expensive, admissions officers were tasked with bringing in a fantastic class of students each September that met the general standards of the institution, kept its budget in the black, and were likely to be positive and successful alumni. But as colleges more and more come to resemble businesses in an effort to move up in the rankings, admissions officers are now most often defined by four metrics of success:
Filling every available seat.
Accepting the fewest number of applicants to achieve the highest selectivity rating.
Maximizing tuition revenue.
Ensuring admitted students graduate within six years, preferably four.
This change has redefined the traditional admissions office; its primary concern is now Enrollment Management. And this is where predictive analytics come in, and specifically Likelihood to Enroll.
So, what is likelihood to enroll?
It sounds straightforward enough-- isn’t it just how likely a particular student is to enroll in a particular school? In reality, it’s based on data-gathering from every possible source.
Put simply, every time you interact with a school-- signing up for emails, requesting a viewbook, attending an information session online or in person, saying hi to an admissions officer at a college fair (and giving them your name and contact information), following the school on social media and liking its posts-- this data gets sent to the school. And the school’s very sophisticated enrollment management software uses an algorithm to calculate your LTE factor-- your likelihood to enroll at the school. This is part of your admissions application file, and when it comes time to make a decision about whether to put you in the admit or reject pile, it counts for a lot. Why? Because admissions offices are focused on those four factors above and the LTE helps them get there.
What does that mean for you?
It means that you can help your chances of being accepted to the schools you’re really interested in by boosting your LTE factor.
How do you do this? All the ways mentioned above. For the schools you’re seriously interested in, demonstrate that interest by:
Signing up for admissions emails;
Requesting admissions materials;
Visiting campus if you can;
Attending an information session in person or online;
Checking in with admissions officers at college fairs and giving them your name and contact information;
Following them on social media and liking their posts and stories;
Sending a personal note after an interview with an admissions officer.
If you’re interested in more ways you can make your application stand out for admissions officers, give us a call (617.447.0186) or send an email to info@yourmayfirst.com and let’s chat.