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The final stretch of enrollment season is here, and if you're still feeling the pressure, you're not alone.
Last-minute yield strategies can help. These are the targeted, time-sensitive tactics designed to convert admitted students who are still sitting on the proverbial fence. And in a competitive environment, these strategies need to be precise, responsive, and above all, student-focused.
That's where our S.H.I.F.T.S. Framework comes in. We introduced relationships-first recruiting in a previous post, and it applies not only to everything we do at Halda, but everything we recommend to our partners. This framework is designed to help institutions get personal and intentional with their communications, so every interaction builds trust with prospective students, and we're going to apply it here.
Keep reading to learn how S.H.I.F.T.S. can support your final push into a top-tier yield campaign.
The S.H.I.F.T.S. Framework is all about meeting students where they are in their decision-making journey and tackling their unique concerns. It’s built around six core principles that reframe how schools approach today’s enrollment process.
Now, let's look at how you can use S.H.I.F.T.S. to engage undecided students and make sure they chose you.
S.H.I.F.T.S. Focus: Survey
While some admitted students are ready to say "Yes!" to an institution right away, others need more time to debate this potentially life-changing decision. Instead of guessing what’s on their minds, why not just ask them? That’s where precision surveying comes in.
Example: Suppose a student answers “finances” as their main barrier. You can immediately trigger an automated email with scholarship details or resources to help them understand their financial aid package better.
Precision surveying doesn’t overwhelm students with generic information (don't do that!) Instead, it speaks directly to what’s on their minds, building trust and keeping them interested.
S.H.I.F.T.S. Focus: Help + Speed
When time is running out, you might be tempted to create urgent, promotional messaging. But content that solves real problems and adds value is what changes “maybes” into “yeses.”
When every interaction is truly helpful, students begin to see your institution as trustworthy and reliable—which makes them more likely to choose you.
S.H.I.F.T.S. Focus: Face + Trigger
Sometimes, real human interaction can make or break a decision. A phone call, a text, or a personal email at the right moment can create an irreplaceable sense of belonging.
Combining human touch with strategic timing allows you to build trust and deliver the sense of personal connection that students are looking for.
The enrollment season's final stretch isn’t about being the loudest institution to capture students' attention; it’s about working smarter and focusing on their unique needs. Institutions that use S.H.I.F.T.S. principles are seeing big wins, like higher enrollment rates and happier students who feel truly heard.
In a nutshell, here’s how S.H.I.F.T.S. can help you level up your last-minute efforts:
Now, it’s your turn. Challenge your enrollment team to audit your current outreach program. Are your strategies designed to draw students closer, or are they just noise in the inbox?
Remember, even the final weeks of yield season can have a profound impact with the right approach. With S.H.I.F.T.S. on your side, you’re not shouting into the void; you’re inviting students into meaningful relationships that inspire confidence in choosing your institution.