Finding the silver lining in the past year’s experiences for higher education admissions may seem complicated but looking at what has been working before applying it to new target students may prove valuable. 51% of students reported that they are reconsidering their education plans during the pandemic, according to a survey by Salesforce. A university’s pandemic response is an essential factor in retention and recruitment, with 25% of students who transferred to a new institution stating that the primary reason was their former school’s handling of the pandemic. The changes wrought by lockdowns during the pandemic may help recruiting in the future if we can apply the new working methods and learn from any missteps. Expanding recruitment by utilizing techniques that have evolved during the pandemic requires exploring how marketing and communications can adapt to changing higher education climates now and into the future.
Learn more in our latest white paper:
READY TO DISCUSS YOUR EDUCATION MARKETING STRATEGY? LET’S TALK.
RECENT POSTS
The 90 Day Enrollment Strategy Colleges Need Now
Families want clarity, speed, and simplicity in the enrollment process. Our latest Parent & Student Survey outlines a focused 90 day plan to help create fast wins in the areas families feel most: visibility, value, and confidence.
The Shift: From Google to Generative AI
For decades, the college search began with Google and campus tours. In 2026, it starts with a prompt. Students and parents now use ChatGPT, Gemini, or Perplexity to build school lists and compare ROI before ever reaching your website. Artificial intelligence has quietly become the front door to higher education it shapes who gets discovered, compared, and trusted first.
The Rise of AI as the “Front Door” to Higher Education
Families – students and parents alike – are becoming fluent in AI interactions outside of education, raising their expectations for intelligent and conversational college discovery experiences.