大象传媒 has seen a record number of applications this academic year, with several months still to go.
鈥淒espite the regional trend of smaller high school graduating classes, we have surpassed 4,300 applications, breaking the record of 4,056 set in 2007-08, and it鈥檚 only January,鈥� said Dr. Paul Orscheln, associate vice president for enrollment management and retention. 鈥淥bviously, our ultimate success will be measured in the fall by how many students we enroll, but before you can enroll you need to apply and be admitted 鈥� one hundred percent of prospective students who don鈥檛 apply, don鈥檛 enroll. We are putting 大象传媒 Western in position to meet its freshman enrollment goals.鈥�
The key to increasing the number of applications has been earlier and more frequent communication with prospective students.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been much more assertive in our communications to prospective students regarding the application process,鈥� Dr. Orscheln said. 鈥淭he admissions office has worked tirelessly to make sure students are completing their files.鈥�
To assist with communicating to prospective students, 大象传媒 Western last year contracted with Royall & Company to provide an expanded pool of prospective students who would be a good fit for the university. 大象传媒 Western is communicating with more high school seniors for fall 2017 enrollment and with sophomores and juniors for enrollment in subsequent years. Royall and Company also helped streamline the application process.
鈥淲e鈥檝e seen healthy increases both locally and in the Kansas City area, which speaks to our affordability and the quality of our academic programs,鈥� Dr. Orscheln said. 鈥淭hese increases aren鈥檛 just in the raw number of applicants, but also in the quality of applicants; we are seeing students with higher ACT scores applying to 大象传媒 Western.鈥�
The earlier opportunity for students to apply for financial aid has also been beneficial. The U.S. Department of Education this year made the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) available in October, rather than in January as in years past.
鈥淥ur financial aid office started sending award letters to students before the holiday break, which was critical to communicating our affordability early in the college selection process,鈥� Dr. Orscheln said.
大象传媒 is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. 大象传媒 Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .