Q&A with …
How has the College attracted so many more national applicants?
Out-of-state applications have increased by almost 300% since 2019. Over 24,000 students from outside South Carolina applied this year alone. At the center of that growth are five key strategies: 1) prioritize data, technology and research; 2) put recruitment staff on the ground in markets permanently; 3) branding that translates to the current market; 4) grow the recruitment funnel of prospective students earlier; and 5) join Common Application.
With admissions staff across the country, what recruitment challenges and opportunities arise?
Admissions has had two South Carolina–based regional staffers working in other parts of the state for a decade, which has built strong relationships with school counselors and prospective students alike. In 2019, we expanded our regional model. It now includes Washington, D.C.; Maryland; Virginia; Texas; and New Jersey. This summer we will expand to the greater New York City area. The Office of Admissions does a wonderful job of making sure these folks get to campus often to stay connected.
The College has experienced significant growth and a noticeable shift in selectivity. What has driven this transformation?
Having a significantly larger applicant pool gives the Office of Admissions more ways to shape the class each year. The spaces available in the first-year class remain the same each year, and as interest in the College grows, there is simply more competition for those limited spaces. That is especially true among out-of-state students where the applications have soared in recent years.
Those students soon become alumni. What is the College doing to foster a culture of engagement and philanthropy with alumni?
A culture of both engagement and philanthropy sustained the College through centuries of wars, economic crises, recessions and pandemics. Although endowment totals contine to increase due to private support and thousands of alumni coming home annually, we must galvanize our efforts in support of this special place by strengthening lifelong ties between alumni and their alma mater. Our regional presence will drastically increase, and our investment in the engagement of our students and young alumni will lead to a brighter philanthropic future.
Why does alumni participation still hold significant importance?
Investments made to one’s alma mater signify a robust and healthy university. While the national trend has shown a reduction of alumni participation at most universities, it’s a clear indicator of the healthiness of cultures at leading universities. A high percentage of alumni annually giving back sends a clear signal of the worthiness to all those wishing and willing to invest in this special place.
How does a culture of both engagement and philanthropy benefit the college?
Investing in the College allows the College to invest in us. From students gaining experience through internships or access to education through scholarships to improving the experience of our alumni via alumni engagement programs, private support returns the experience threefold. Gifts of all sizes make a profound difference. We hope more alumni join the growing ranks of our more than 9,000 annual donors.