by Jay Fedje
In the fast-evolving world of higher education technology, it’s easy to get distracted by the newest tool, platform, or AI breakthrough promising to “transform your funnel.”
But as Jay, a seasoned enrollment executive, reminds us, most schools don’t need a shiny new object. They need to get the basics right.
In this era of automation, predictive modeling, and CRM wizardry, the truth is still simple:
Students enroll where they feel seen, heard, connected, and responded to.
This article explores why enrollment management basics, not flashy tech, still drive real results, and what core practices teams must recommit to.
The Danger of Chasing “Bells and Whistles”
There’s nothing wrong with innovation. AI, chatbots, intent scoring, SMS cadences, these tools can amplify efficiency and scale reach.
But many teams try to stack sophisticated tech on top of broken basics:
- Students still wait days for a reply
- Counselors are buried in manual tasks
- Credit evaluations take weeks
- Systems don’t talk to each other
- Emails feel robotic or impersonal
Technology should multiply good habits, not mask broken ones.
4 Fundamentals That Still Win in 2025
Jay breaks it down simply:
“The schools winning today are the ones who move fast, communicate clearly, and follow through consistently.”
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
1. Fast Response Time
Whether it’s a transcript upload or an info request, speed signals priority.
48% of prospective transfer students will leave a college’s website if they can’t find clear credit information.
Goal: Respond in minutes, not days.
Tool to help: DegreeSight’s INBOUND delivers credit evaluations instantly, even if your equivalency database isn’t complete.
2. Clear, Human Communication
Ditch the jargon. Skip the templates. Real students need real answers.
If students have to read your email twice to “get it,” you’ve already lost their attention.
Best Practice: Write at a 9th-grade reading level. Sign every email. Add a photo or signature to make it human. Emails should be used to catch their attention, not deliver doctrine.
3. Personalization Over Automation
Yes, workflows matter. But no student wants to feel like a ticket in a help desk queue.
“Thanks for your interest” means nothing if you don’t acknowledge who they are and what they asked.
Tactic: Reference their previous college, intended major, or unique situation in every response. Bonus: It improves yield.
4. Consistent Workflows
The worst experience for a student?
Different answers from different departments.
Solution: Align your admissions, registrar, and advising teams with consistent routing and workflows.
Tip: Centralize articulation and transcript decisions in one platform, accessible to everyone involved.
Why This Matters Now
The enrollment landscape is more competitive, confusing, and compressed than ever.
With shrinking traditional pipelines and increased pressure on transfer markets, you can’t afford to fumble the fundamentals.
Winning teams in 2025 are doing fewer things better, and then using tech to scale what works, not to compensate for what doesn’t.
Your Tech Stack Won’t Save You, But Strategy Will
Flashy platforms don’t fix:
- Unanswered emails
- Weeks-long turnaround times
- Broken handoffs between departments
- Unclear next steps for students
But a well-tuned core enrollment operation? That builds trust, drives decisions, and increases yield.
Start with:
- Speed
- Clarity
- Personal touch
- Process consistency
Then, and only then, layer in the tools to scale it.
Ready to Fix the Fundamentals?
Let DegreeSight help you operationalize what matters most, fast, accurate, personalized responses for every student.
Get a Free Transfer Friendliness Assessment
We’ll pinpoint the bottlenecks, friction points, and easy wins that are holding back your enrollment growth.