Success Story: Suffolk University Boston
Slate empowers Suffolk University Graduate Admissions to do more with only one system.
Prior to using Slate, the admissions office at the Suffolk University Graduate School managed their daily processes with a variety of incompatible systems: one platform hosted their online application, a second was used for reporting, a third for document retention, a fourth served as an applicant status portal, and a fifth was employed for email communications. Other aspects, like reaching out to applicants, managing checklists, and producing paper letters to be scanned, were still done manually.
Managing this patchwork of systems was time-consuming and didn’t leave much bandwidth for important reporting and outreach activities to help cultivate applicants. Their admissions staff needed a single tool that could streamline their daily tasks and operations. In 2014, administrators selected Slate as their CRM because they were interested in how its Deliver module, Report Builder, and applicant portal could address their outreach and reporting challenges.
Since launching Slate, Suffolk Grad has a much more consolidated information system and a more consistent experience across users and departments. An army of student workers has been pared down and they’re able to focus on individual outreach, research, and other high-value work. Operational staff have also seen their roles change dramatically and become more technically-focused. They have developed advanced reports to help manage the unique enrollment goals of each department. Program directors now have snap profiles every semester that adjust as people are admitted and register. Staff have up-to-the-minute data on financial aid awards and doctoral programs, so they can review the number of started applications and compare that data to the last two years. Furthermore, Suffolk has created reports that provide insight into the effectiveness of email drip marketing campaigns.
“It’s not just that how we do things has changed – it’s that we can do things that would have been nearly impossible under the previous configuration of systems.”