Metro State College, which serves greater than 10,000 college students on a number of campuses in Minnesota, confronted vital challenges in its utility course of, resulting in inefficiencies and a scarcity of variety in its applicant pool. Recognizing the necessity for a transformative answer, Metro State leaders determined to accomplice with Liaison to implement GradCAS and BusinessCAS, Liaison’s centralized utility providers designed to streamline processes and improve the applicant expertise.
The Problem: Confusion and Inconsistency
Previous to working with Liaison, Metro State had been utilizing the Minnesota State utility system. Described as inefficient and really handbook, the previous system created a complicated expertise for college students and the admissions workplace. Metro State’s different challenges included:
- Inconsistent necessities | Every program at Metro State College had a singular utility course of, resulting in inconsistent applicant experiences throughout the establishment. This made it troublesome for college students to navigate the applying course of and for employees to handle it effectively.
- Restricted visibility | Program administrators had been unable to entry applicant information till late within the course of, limiting their skills to make proactive knowledgeable selections and have interaction with potential college students in a well timed method.
- Ineffective communication | College students making use of to different universities reported higher communication and a smoother course of, placing Metro State at a aggressive drawback.
The Resolution: Collaboration and Integration
Implementing GradCAS and BusinessCAS at Metro State College was not with out obstacles, together with employees transitions and different inner developments. Nonetheless, these challenges had been successfully managed via shut collaboration between Metro State’s crew and Liaison’s implementation specialists.
Key methods for achievement included:
- Weekly conferences | Common communication between Metro State and Liaison helped alleviate the impact of employees transitions and preserve momentum.
- A holistic course of | The college additionally labored intently with Liaison to remove inconsistencies and to create a extra cohesive utility course of, together with standardizing program-naming conventions.
- Fast fixes | In the course of the implementation, Metro State was additionally onboarding a brand new CRM, which delayed the combination with its scholar info system (SIS). The college then opted to make use of Liaison’s WebAdMIT admissions administration system as a short lived answer, permitting it to course of purposes with out disruption and making certain the undertaking timeline was not compromised. Affiliate Vice President of Strategic Enrollment Carrie Carroll famous, “I can’t think about finishing this inside our timeframe with out Liaison’s assist. It’s been invaluable.”
The Final result: Variety and Effectivity
The implementation of GradCAS and BusinessCAS yielded fast and memorable outcomes for Metro State College, notably:
Elevated applicant variety | The brand new CAS methods broadened the establishment’s attain, attracting candidates from all 50 states and greater than 100 international locations. This enlargement allowed the college to faucet right into a extra numerous and certified applicant pool, enhancing the general high quality of its scholar physique. Director of Graduate Enrollment Shoua Madland famous, “I actually heard straight away from program administrators in regards to the variety of candidates. We had extra from different states who in any other case wouldn’t have been in our pool.”
Higher certified candidates | By introducing an utility payment, Metro State was capable of higher qualify candidates, most notably worldwide candidates. This modification ensured that the college may focus its assets on partaking with college students who had been genuinely fascinated with enrolling.
Improved visibility | GradCAS and BusinessCAS revolutionized program administrators’ entry to applicant info. They now have real-time information visibility, enabling them to have interaction with potential college students earlier within the course of.
“The truth that our program administrators can go in and see all of the totally different candidates to their applications and even get a way of the place they’re from—that’s a night-and-day distinction,” Carroll stated. “It’s given them a a lot better window into the entire admissions course of.”
This improved transparency has performed a crucial function in bettering the effectivity of Metro State’s recruitment methods, permitting program administrators to make extra well-informed selections and tailor their efforts to higher meet the wants of potential college students.
The flexibility to standardize program necessities throughout departments has additionally created a extra streamlined and constant utility course of for college students. Not solely did this enhance the applicant expertise, however it additionally decreased administrative burdens on employees, permitting them to give attention to extra strategic initiatives.
Classes Realized
On account of the profitable adoption of GradCAS and BusinessCAS, “Metro State College actually has grow to be the poster college for handle a profitable implementation,” stated Kelly Sugrue, the Liaison shopper success director who labored intently with the college. Madland and Carroll can now provide priceless insights for different establishments seeking to accomplice with Liaison:
Collaborate intently | Set up common communication and establish key choice makers early within the course of. This method ensures that every one stakeholders are aligned and that any challenges may be recognized and addressed promptly.
Leverage Liaison’s experience | Belief Liaison to information the method by offering context, answering questions, and preserving groups centered when vital. Counting on Liaison’s experience to navigate complicated challenges ensures a profitable implementation.
Have enjoyable | Benefit from the partnership and the journey towards a extra environment friendly and numerous utility course of. A optimistic and collaborative relationship with Liaison could make the implementation course of smoother and extra pleasing for all concerned.
By implementing GradCAS and BusinessCAS, Metro State College has reworked its utility course of, resulting in higher variety on campus, improved effectivity, and higher outcomes for each college students and the college.
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