Spark451’s Guide to Slate Cycle Prep

Blog

May 20, 2025

When campus quiets down and the pace of admissions slows (haha, yeah right), it’s time for CRM admins to leverage the slower pace to begin laying the groundwork for the next wave of recruitment — this is when the real magic of Slate cycle prep happens.

To help you on your way, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to setting your team up for success in the coming year.

Person running towards the finish line

Understanding the Slate Cycle Prep Process

Cycle prep isn’t just an update; it’s a strategic opportunity to enhance your Slate system ahead of the next admissions cycle. This period of summer stillness is a chance to audit your processes, implement improvements, and chart a course for the next round of applicants, parents, influencers, and more.

Collaborative Effort for Comprehensive Improvement

True cycle prep excellence comes from collaboration. Encourage contributions from every corner of your team to surface new ideas and identify pain points in your current setup. Teams can include:

  • Strategists and Visionaries
    Include your Slate Captain and members of your Operations and Marketing teams. This group will make intentional and strategic decisions, and drive the outcome of your cycle prep.
  • Stress Testers
    Leverage your student workers, counselors, tour guides, admissions representatives, and coaches. They use Slate regularly and will have great ideas on how to improve your Slate configuration. (Seek some Gen Z input here!)
  • External Insights
    Think of students and parents as stakeholders, too. Their impressions of your Slate environment are key to your success. What changes can you make that will drive value for them?

Timeline: Proactive Planning for Pivotal Changes

Cycle prep typically runs summer to early fall, but tailor it to suit your institution’s unique rhythm. When planning your cycle prep schedule, weigh what changes are necessary for the upcoming admissions cycle against all wish-list items you have in mind for your Slate instance. This will allow your team to focus on necessary updates and projects first, then aim for nonessential improvements as time permits.

Be sure to start small, as small steps will lead to big wins. Here’s a timeline we find helpful:

Number 1

Strategize and Prioritize

Make a wish list of all the components you want to see enhanced or built in your Slate environment. From there, estimate the difficulty and duration of each project. Then, prioritize what should be completed first.

number 2

Build and Update

Get started on updating existing components in your Slate environment. If your timeline permits, build out new functionality that will strategically improve your team’s processes.

number 3

Test and Refine

Before you go live, rigorously test all updates and new builds in your Slate environment. Use your testing environment and user impersonation to check every nook and cranny.

number 4

Go Live and Post-Project Review

Migrate your processes and celebrate your team’s successes. Before making the switch, be sure that all Slate users at your institution are aware of what’s happening ahead of the go-live date. Lastly, create a post-project review (PPR). Using that PPR, a road map for next year’s Cycle Prep is already underway.

Key Areas for Cycle Upkeep and Innovation

Start with necessary updates that are crucial to your upcoming cycle. There’s a whole lot to consider, so our team has created a checklist to help you strategize:

Annual Slate Upkeep

Perform these tasks to get ready for the upcoming cycle.

Item Difficulty
Staff Assignment Rules Updates 🔥🔥🔥
Material & Checklist Items Audit 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Update Decision Letters & Codes 🔥🔥
Strategize Your Populations
How are you leveraging populations?
🔥🔥🔥
Batch Acquire Review 🔥🔥
Consolidate Records Review
Are the counts in these tools manageable?
🔥🔥🔥
Download the Chart

Application Prep

Maintain a top-notch application.

Item Difficulty
Periods & Rounds Updates
Have you created them for the upcoming cycle?
🔥
Application Forms Updates 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Streamline Application Questions
Only ask questions that you need answers to!
🔥🔥
Status Page Updates & Additions
Dynamic content and multi-tabs are 👌
🔥🔥🔥🔥
Application Logic Updates & Testing 🔥🔥🔥
Clear Bins 🔥🔥
Move Defers Forward 🔥
Withdraw Old Applications 🔥
Updates to Third-Party Applications
Common App, Coalition, CAS, etc.
🔥🔥🔥🔥
Reader Workflow Review
Do you like how your reader workflow is set up?
🔥🔥
Cycle Prep Status Page Review 🔥
Download the Chart

Deliver

Enhance your communications.

Item Difficulty
Review Scheduled Campaigns 🔥🔥🔥
Email Template Updates
Test for mobile responsiveness.
🔥🔥
Recipient List Queries Updates
Are the right filters established?
🔥🔥
Liquid Markup & Custom Personalization 🔥🔥🔥
Download the Chart

Data Hygiene

Crucial items for maintaining Queries, Reports, and overall database health.

Item Difficulty
Updated Configurable Joins Libraries 🔥🔥
Turn Over Scheduled Queries & Reports
What’s necessary for this cycle?
🔥🔥🔥🔥
Review Integrations 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Create Source Formats
Are there any new integrations you’d like to build?
🔥🔥🔥
Update Source Formats
Refresh prompt values!
🔥🔥
Job Activity Monitor Audit 🔥🔥
Migration to Configurable Joins
How is your transition going?
🔥🔥🔥🔥
Download the Chart

User Permissions

Confirm all Slate users are seeing what they need to see.

Item Difficulty
User Permissions Cleanup & Audit
Remove inactive accounts & confirm permission levels.
🔥
Staff Assignment Rules Updates 🔥🔥🔥
Impersonate New User Accounts
Confirm permissions function as intended.
🔥🔥
Download the Chart

In-Depth Review

Identify next steps and mark them complete.

Item Difficulty
Organizations Dataset Updates 🔥🔥
Rules Health Audit
Any erroneous rules?
🔥🔥🔥
Compliance Dashboard Audit 🔥
Ping Implementation Review 🔥
Origin Sources Review
Remember these?
🔥🔥🔥🔥
Create New Event Templates 🔥🔥
Update Current Event Templates 🔥🔥
Download the Chart

Proactive Measures

These additional steps will help you make big gains.

Item Difficulty
Activate Early Access Features 🔥🔥
Migrate to Workflows 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Update/Configure Slate.org Profile 🔥
Buy Deliver Credits 🔥
Hire Spark451 to Help 🙌
Download the Chart

Reach for the Stars with Spark451

We want to see you succeed! When you’re ready to take your Slate instance to the next level, reach out to the enrollment marketing and CRM pros at Spark451. Together we’ll make sure you’re getting the most out of this powerful CRM!

Interested in learning more about the different ways Spark451 can support your efforts in Slate? Check out our SparkAssist service, which offers customizable packages to fit your needs!


it's time to recharge, refocus, and re-engage

Recharge, Refocus, & Re-Engage

Blog

May 13, 2025

Congratulations on making it through another successful recruitment cycle! Now that May 1 has passed, it’s time to take a deep breath, lean back, and reflect, as you start turning your attention to the class of 2026.

Step 1: Take Stock

What energized you and your team this season? What drained your batteries the most? Taking time to reflect on how things went will allow you to be intentional about your plans for the fall and give your team an opportunity to share their experiences and feelings — a great way to strengthen team connections.

Step 2: Recharge

There’s nothing quite like diving into a new topic, or expanding your understanding of something, to feel re-energized. May is an excellent time for training, especially if you’re planning to attend Slate Summit or Engage Summit this summer. Even if you aren’t able to make it, training staff on these CRM features will enhance efficiency and automation:

  • Configurable Joins – Building recipient list queries
  • Segments – Exporting valuable information and creating automations
  • Portals & Microsites – Expanding engagement strategies

Slate Pro Tip: If you haven’t transitioned your funnel reports to configurable joins, this summer is the time to do it. It may seem daunting, but knowledge base resources are available, and you can always schedule a training session with the Spark451 team.

Step 3: Start Planning

This May, be sure to set aside time to begin planning for fall. We know things are still busy, but trust us when we say a bit of planning and strategizing now will help lay the foundation for a smooth transition to your next recruitment cycle.

Common App Updates

If you haven’t yet reviewed April’s Common App release notes, now is the time to do so! Be sure to look them over and attend the webinars they offer, so you have enough time to complete your app changes and testing before August. Head to your member solution center to see a summary of what’s been released so far.

Speaking of application updates… Slate users: check your inbox for a message about your XSLT files being deprecated. If you’re using custom pages with XSLT customization, that functionality has been removed. If you need help with updating your application pages, feel free to reach out and we’ll get you ready for the fall.

Transfer Students

This is the time of year most students consider transferring, so make sure their application process is as easy as possible! Here are some ideas to think about:

  • If students who have earned a certain number of credits don’t need to submit their high school transcript, set up a rule in your application to remove it as a required item when students meet the criteria.
  • Instead of asking for parent information on the application, give transfer students options other than mother and father (think spouse or partner).
  • If your student portal/microsite is geared toward traditional first-year students, consider creating a transfer-specific one that places relevant forms (like housing waivers or credit evaluations) and information (like housing/dining options and campus involvement opportunities) at the forefront.

Also, don’t forget about the power of personalization! Everything you’ve created for first-year students will likely work for transfers with just a few changes. Be sure to highlight topics these students care about most, including course information, how they’ll fit in, and career outcomes.

Engage With Incoming Students

May 1 may be behind us, but we all know the work isn’t done! Keeping new students engaged over the summer is critical to keeping melt at a minimum. If you haven’t already, make sure to set up communications to remind them about important dates and to-dos like advising, registration, housing, and orientation. Consistent communication will help them feel connected and prepared for campus life.

Slate Pro Tip: Did you know that your CRM can conduct surveys? Use May to check in with admitted students who haven’t deposited yet. A simple conditional logic format lets undecided students provide insights on what they need to make their final choice.

We’re Here to Help

May isn’t just about blooming flowers — it’s about growing opportunities and strategic momentum. Small steps now can make a huge impact on your admissions success moving forward!

Need a hand? Our flexible SparkAssist service is designed to help with anything you may need, whether you want to learn with us to become an expert on all things Slate, Salesforce, or Element451, or hand us a project for onetime completion. No project is too big or too small. If you’re interested in learning more, please reach out to us!


Collegiate Advertising Awards Shines the Spotlight on Spark451

Blog

WESTBURY, NEW YORK — Higher education marketing firm Spark451, a Jenzabar company, is proud to share that four of their recent marketing projects have received recognition from the Collegiate Advertising Awards, an elite national program honoring the most talented higher education marketing professionals.

“This recognition is further testament to our commitment to innovation and pushing the creative envelope to not just produce beautiful pieces, but to also drive results,” says Irene Scala, Executive Creative Director at Spark451. “We are honored to receive these awards and proud to share them with our partners, without whom none of this would be possible.”

Loyola University brochure mockup

Loyola University New Orleans


Entry Win: Gold
Entry Title: Loyola University New Orleans Graduate Brochure
Group: School 2,001–5,000 students
Category: Brochure

NYU Tandon Sticker mockup
Alternate stickers for NYU Tandon students

New York University Tandon School of Engineering


Award: Gold
Entry Name: NYU Engineering Student Giveaways
Group: Graduate School (MBA, Law, Med, etc.)
Category: Advertising Specialty (laptop stickers)

Hartwick College


Award: Silver
Entry Name: Hartwick College Brand Repositioning
Group: School 1,001–2,000 students
Category: Total Advertising Campaigns

Mount Saint Mary's Junior Mailer

Mount Saint Mary College


Award: Silver
Entry Name: Mount Saint Mary College – Sophomore-Junior Mailer
Group: School 1,001–2,000 students
Category: Brochure

If you’d like to learn how Spark451’s award-winning team can help your institution gain a competitive edge, reach out today.


trophy award

Spark451 Shines at 40th Annual Educational Advertising Awards

Blog

Spark451 Media RelationsBy Spark451 Media Relations|April 22, 2025

WESTBURY, NEW YORK — Spark451, a Jenzabar company specializing in higher education marketing, is proud to announce that 14 of their recent marketing projects have been recognized at the 40th Annual Educational Advertising Awards.

Created in association with their college and university partners, these projects represent Spark451’s ongoing pursuit of excellence through collaboration and innovation.

“Receiving these awards is such an honor, and we know that it would never be possible without our amazing partners,” says Irene Scala, Executive Creative Director at Spark451. “Thanks to their trust and collaboration, we’ve been able to push the limits creatively while never losing sight of results. We look forward to continued collaboration and are excited to see what our creative teams come up with next.”

This year’s award-winning work includes:

Hartwick Lawn Signs
Lawn sign. More balance, less stress

Hartwick College


Entry Win: Gold
Entry Title: Hartwick College New Market Position Campus Roll Out
Category: Outdoor

Hartwick College


Entry Win: Gold
Entry Title: New Market Position Digital Advertising
Category: Electronic Advertising

financial aid mailer

Hartwick College


Entry Win: Gold
Entry Title: Personalized Financial Aid Report
Category: Publication/Internal

travel magazine cover

Hartwick College


Entry Win: Gold
Entry Title: Travel Brochure
Category: Brochure

longwood digital media ads
TSA boxes with ads

Longwood University


Entry Win: Gold
Entry Title: Farmville Campaign
Category: Special Promotions Campaign

Downloadable guide on phones

Queensborough Community College


Entry Win: Gold
Entry Title: Downloadable Guide
Category: E-Publication

digital media ads

Centenary College of Louisiana


Entry Win: Silver
Entry Title: Digital Advertising
Category: Other Social Media Content

Email on a laptop

Dillard University


Entry Win: Silver
Entry Title: Email Template
Category: Email Marketing - Single or Campaign

NYU slide decks
NYU slide decks

New York University


Entry Win: Silver
Entry Title: Online Lead Journey Branding & Presentation
Category: Special Event Materials

Longwood University


Entry Win: Bronze
Entry Title: “Pro-tips” Influencer Series
Category: Instagram Content

Longwood Magazine Ad

Longwood University


Entry Win: Merit
Entry Title: Virginia Living Magazine Ad, Special Issue
Category: Magazine Advertising - Single

Dillard brochure
Dillard brochure

Dillard University


Entry Win: Merit
Entry Title: Recruitment Brochure
Category: Brochure

Wartburg digital media
Wartburg emails

Wartburg College


Entry Win: Merit
Entry Title: Recruitment Campaign
Category: Search Pieces

Reach out to discuss how Spark451’s award-winning team can help your institution gain a competitive edge.


The Power of the Handwritten Note (and How to Scale It)

The Power of the Handwritten Note
(and How to Scale It)

Irene ScalaBy Irene Scala|April 15, 2025

In today’s digital age, where prospective students and families are constantly inundated by (often impersonal) emails, texts, and social media posts, it’s a rare treat to receive something handwritten. Honestly, is there anything that comes close to the authenticity and warmth of receiving a handwritten note? When was the last time you received one? (Because who really does that anymore?)

Receiving a personal note written by hand is such a surprise that it makes a big impact. It acts as physical proof of your school’s commitment to the student, helping them feel seen and valued in an often overwhelming decision-making process. In fact, we’ve heard anecdotes of students showing up to campus — note in hand — asking to speak with the particular admission counselor, director, or faculty member who took the time to reach out to them.

Handwritten illustration mockup

Why Handwritten Notes Work

1. Personalization Builds Trust

Students and families want to feel that their college search is more than just a transaction. A handwritten note provides an opportunity to reference something personal about the student, such as a specific aspect of their application. This small, thoughtful gesture can create a strong bond that goes beyond the standard form letter.

2. Emotional Connection

Decision-making is an emotional process, especially when it comes to choosing a college. A handwritten note conveys care and effort, which helps prospective students feel emotionally connected to your school. It’s a signal that they matter to you, and their future is important to you — not just as a number, but as a person.

3. The Unexpected Touch Stands Out In A Digital World

We’ve already pointed out that in an era where everyone is bombarded with digital communication, receiving a handwritten note can be a refreshing and unexpected change. This element of surprise makes the note all the more effective and memorable, helping your school stand out from others.

4. Building Long-Term Relationships

Admissions doesn’t end when a student enrolls. Building a relationship with prospective students helps you connect them to the institution long before they step foot on campus. A small gesture can play a role in fostering these relationships, not only in the initial stages of recruitment, but also throughout their academic journey.

The Challenge of Scaling & Your Secret Weapon

While you might agree handwritten notes are impactful, the thought of manually writing and mailing hundreds or thousands of them might make your hand cramp up. That’s where Spark451 comes in.

By leveraging student data from your CRM with some creative copywriting, we’re able to automate the whole process using technology — with real pen and ink — to create a piece that feels just as authentic and thoughtful as those written by hand, but in a fraction of the time. For any skeptics out there, you can even select the lettering style and smudge the ink! It’s legit.

legally blonde cropped gif

How to Make Your Automated Handwritten Notes Effective

1. Be Personal

Whether you draft the copy or lean on a trusted marketing partner, the message needs to be personalized and conversational. Use your own voice, rather than formal institutional language. Leverage available data points such as the name of the campus event they attended, sport you know they play, or academic area of interest.

2. Keep It Brief, But Meaningful

While it’s important to be personal, brevity is key. A few thoughtful sentences that speak to the student’s goals and how your institution can help them achieve those goals will be more impactful than a long, generic note.

3. Include A Call To Action

This could be as simple as encouraging them to schedule a visit, attend an event, or providing information about next steps in the application process. An invitation to take action nurtures engagement with the student and helps you measure the success of the tactic.

4. Timeliness Matters

Sending handwritten notes promptly, particularly after campus visits, interviews, or meeting at events, helps create a sense of continuity and urgency in the recruitment process. Likewise, if you’re pushing a deadline, give the recipient enough time to take that next step.


The handwritten note is a powerful tool in your recruitment strategy. It’s an investment in building authentic relationships and creating memorable, meaningful connections with prospective students and families. In an increasingly impersonal world, taking the time to write a thoughtful note could be the difference that helps your school stand out in their college search journey. So, the next time you’re considering how to engage with a prospective student, remember the power of the (automated) pen. Ask us how.


Let's spark something creative

Creative That Captivates & Converts

Creative That Captivates & Converts

Our Award-Winning Work Gets Results

In today’s competitive higher education landscape, it’s not enough to simply inform prospective students and families about your school. You need to captivate them.

At Spark451, we harness the power of creativity to build emotional connections that drive engagement and inspire action. Our team of talented writers and designers work closely with our partners to develop tailored creative strategies that align with their brand and goals — from eye-catching publications and direct mail campaigns to cutting-edge video content and digital strategies, we help create unforgettable experiences that resonate with target audiences.

But don’t just take our word for it — see it for yourself:

Looking for even more of the stunning visuals, compelling narratives, and innovative solutions we’ve developed for our partners?

Access our portfolio!

Plant the Seeds for a Successful Spring

Blog

April 1, 2025

As the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers,” and in the world of admissions, those flowers come in the form of deposits. By leveraging your CRM to shower students with the information, support, and encouragement they need to feel connected to your school, you’ll be well-positioned to bring in a full and vibrant fall class.

Here are the seeds you should focus on planting this month:

1. Seeds of Clarity

It’s easy to forget that not everyone knows what an enrollment deposit is or why it’s important, so help make it simple for students by doing the following:

  • Use plain language that clearly explains the WHAT and WHY of the deposit. Instead of “submit your enrollment deposit,” consider something more descriptive such as “submit your deposit to secure your spot,” or “let us know you’re coming this fall by submitting your deposit.”
  • Provide easy, step-by-step instructions on HOW and WHERE to submit the deposit, and be sure your website, microsite, portal, and emails all include prominently displayed buttons that link directly to the deposit page.

2. Seeds of Engagement

Take an omnichannel approach to May 1 reminders, engaging with students across various platforms and mediums. Send countdown emails and texts, post on social media, make phone calls, and consider hosting a live Q&A session to answer questions and help create a sense of community. Once May 1 has passed, keep the conversation going through regular emails or newsletters, and think about building an incoming student/family portal!

Element451 Pro Tip: Use Bolt Discovery and Bolt Bot to engage with your students at all hours of the day. “How to Apply” pages and RFI forms are great spots to embed these tools!

3. Seeds of Preparation

Help students get ready for their arrival by sending detailed welcome packets that include information like important dates, required documents, and a list of next steps. You could also consider hosting workshops or webinars on financial aid, scholarships, budgeting, and payment plans to help ensure families have a thorough understanding of their financial responsibilities.

Pro Tip: Create a custom enrollment checklist in your CRM to help students stay on track throughout the process!

4. Seeds of Belonging

The more connected students feel to your school, the more likely they are to want to join you! Encourage their sense of belonging by organizing comprehensive orientation programs that introduce campus resources, academic expectations, and social opportunities. Put on events or activities that allow new students to meet each other, schedule 1:1 sessions with academic advisors, or throw an on-campus welcome party! Anything that helps to foster engagement and create a sense of community.

Preparing for Next Season

Just as with all cycles of growth, as you continue tending the newest crop, you must also begin planning and cultivating for the next. One way to accomplish that is through a comprehensive student search campaign that captures students’ attention and tells your unique story. From targeted digital media and email campaigns to print publications and event support, our team utilizes the latest tools and innovations to make data-driven decisions that get results.

If you need help deciding which avenues are worth investing in, or if you’d like a hand in implementing new tactics or approaches, reach out! Our team of experts is ready to take you from search to enrollment and beyond.


cultivating a class through events

Cultivating a Class Through Events

Blog

Doug BradyBy Doug Brady|March 18, 2025

The spring is a busy time in the admissions event world, with calendars filled with admitted student days, open houses, spring break weeks, financial aid workshops, and more. Trying to stay in front of several different audiences, at different funnel stages, is not easy — all while external factors are complicating an already busy time of the year.

Having worked on campus in an admissions office for 15 years, I remember feeling the importance of those admitted student days, the drive to get deposits, to help students make their final choice. In our most recent College-Bound Student and Parent Surveys, we had some interesting findings:

28%

of students knew they had found the right school after their first visit.

25%

of parents knew an institution was the “right fit” for their student when they first visited.

38%

of students visited campus before applying.

Top 5

Both students and parents listed “campus appearance” in their top 5 enrollment decision drivers.

Visits are a powerful tool — this is not breaking news. What can get lost in the spring shuffle, though, are those first-time visitors. As we can see from our surveys, that first impression can be very powerful. Students who have visited will move through the funnel at a higher rate, and ultimately, be more likely to enroll.

Students who are visiting your campus want to connect with your institution. Prioritization — choosing how and when to spend resources to have the most impact on the right students — can be a challenge. A tool like Spark451’s Predictive Model can help use data, including campus visit and engagement metrics, to help you prioritize. Our predictive model analyzes several data points and segments students into categories with likelihood to enroll. In addition, Spark451 will identify student clusters that share common attributes, which can lead to new recruitment opportunities and segmentation.

Here are four ways to help optimize campus events:

All Are Welcome

Using a visit call-to-action is vital at every stage of the funnel. Make it clear that you want students and their families to visit you anytime that they are ready. If you have events geared toward specific audiences, make sure to clearly define that in your communication plan, and be purposeful in your messaging. Developing parent communication plans specific to events is also a great idea and something Spark451 is well-versed in, should you need assistance.

Impactful Experiences

Remember the audience you are catering to and what steps you want them to take when they leave campus. For a spring open house, that may be filling out an application five months later, so how will you make sure they are ready to do that via targeted communications after their visit?

Incentivizing the Campus Visit

The visit incentive is becoming more prevalent at colleges and universities. From keychains to laptops, we have seen it all. But it is important to remember what you are trying to accomplish with these incentives. Are you looking to improve attendance, or looking to help your yield? Clearly outlining your goals for the event can help you determine not only if an incentive is appropriate, but also, if it is the right one to help you accomplish those goals.

Be Adaptable

Remember to be flexible, think outside the box, and make sure you are providing sessions that will be important to students and families. For example, not offering financial aid appointments last year, but instead offering large-scale financial aid Q&A opportunities at an admitted student day, when you know families will have a lot of the same questions. Always be true to who you are as an institution, but remember to have fun and be open to trying something new!


As always, remember we are here to assist and partner with you! Spark451 is positioned to help you create impactful and meaningful experiences with students and families, while achieving your goals. Reach out to us to strategize today!


Spring your CRM into action

Spring Your CRM Into Action

Blog

March 13, 2025

With spring visits, spring break, decision letter prep and releases, and the ever-present pressure of May 1 looming, March is anything but calm in the world of admissions. That’s why it’s so important that your events are properly set up and organized, payments are being collected, academic advisor calendar integrations are functioning, and checklists are being implemented. Whew, that’s a long list.

Thankfully, we know your pain points and are here to help with tips and tricks to set your office up for success in the coming weeks — no special luck required! 🍀

Decision Releases & Admitted Student Comms

Oh, decision releases… Few things are more stressful or take more time to get right. Whether it’s striking the precise note of empathy in denial or waitlist messages, or putting together a celebratory admit package, it takes a whole lot of work. To help ensure you’re getting the reactions you’re hoping for, leverage personalization at every step! Tailor your messages to reflect each student’s journey and achievements. Little details like including their intended major, calling out their interests, or noting something from their application essay that stood out to you, can go such a long way.

Carry that personalization through customized checklists and utilize segmentation to make sure students are only receiving information relevant to them (events included!).

Slate Pro Tip: Utilize the Admitted Student Checklist and set up your portal, so students can easily upload their required documents. Anything you can do to make the process easier is a win!

Spring & Summer Visits

With spring and summer comes the natural influx of on-campus visitors! Are you ready? Make sure your events are updated and all associated communications (invitations, reminders, instructions, confirmations, etc.) are crafted and automated to perfection.

How? Start with—you guessed it—personalization! Use your CRM to track student interests and tailor their visit experience accordingly. If a student is interested in a particular major, arrange for them to meet with faculty or attend a class. Did they list specific clubs or activities they want to pursue? Show them those meeting spaces and introduce them to current members! Also, don’t overlook the importance of following up with students and families after their visit. Setting up your CRM to automatically send out post-visit surveys not only provides another touch point, but the feedback you’ll gather will also be critical for refining and enhancing future events. Surveys can be built in your CRM or in other platforms like Qualtrics. If you don’t know where to start, ask us how! Remember, the hard work you put in now leads to stellar anti-melt initiatives later.

Last but certainly not least, try rethinking how you and your team interact with students and families. Instead of asking generic questions, inquire about the students’ interests, career goals, or what they’re most looking forward to about college. Doing so not only helps foster more meaningful connections, but it will also help you stand out in their memory.

Slate Pro Tip: Did you know that you can customize which fields are displayed internally on a form response? Here’s how: Edit Form → Edit Properties → Custom List Fields → Select Your Fields. Consider adding things like student major, state, status, or any other field that would be useful!

May 1 Prep

Let’s be real—getting students to confirm their enrollment and pay their deposits can take some serious work. Help ease the burden on your team by keeping the following in mind:

  1. It’s easy to forget that not everyone knows what we mean when we say “enrollment deposit.” Let’s make sure it’s clear from the get-go by using plain language to explain what it is and why it’s important.
  2. Make sure you provide easy, step-by-step instructions on how and where to submit deposits and required paperwork.
  3. Take an omnichannel approach to May 1 reminders and leverage key dates as the deadline approaches. Think countdown emails and texts, phone calls, or even IG Live Q&A sessions!

We’re Here to Help

At Spark451, we understand that admissions teams are spread thinner than ever, and that you may need a helping hand in order to implement new tactics or approaches. That’s where our flexible SparkAssist service comes in, whether you want to learn with us to become an expert on all things Slate, Salesforce, or Element451, or hand us a project for onetime completion. No project is too big or too small. If you’re interested in learning more, please reach out to us!


It’s 2025. Does Your Brand Reflect the Times?

Blog

In today’s world of Instagram filters, AI-generated content, and near-constant consumption of media, it’s more important than ever to pause and assess whether or not your brand is cutting through the noise and resonating with your target audiences.

And we’re not just talking about Gen Z and prospective students. Your brand plays a critical role in every business goal, from student recruitment and constituent engagement to reputation management, fundraising, and more.

Branding is also more than just your logo and tagline — it’s so much deeper and goes well beyond simple aesthetics. Your brand encompasses the entire experience associated with your institution, and represents a promise of what will be delivered.

But without taking the time to assess your current brand, how can you be confident in its effectiveness? That’s where Spark451’s Brand Strategy services come in.

By taking a deep dive into every facet of your brand, from colors and typography to photos and graphic assets, we can help you:

  • Define and refine your school’s unique voice
  • Amplify your presence in the market
  • Ensure you leave a lasting impression with every interaction

If you’re ready to harness the full power of branding, reach out to us today. We’d be happy to discuss your needs and how Spark451 can help you reach your goals.

LEARN HOW TO AMPLIFY YOUR BRAND