Your admissions team is dedicated to connecting with families and sharing your school's mission...but they’re also human, and they can only handle so many questions in a day.

Time is precious. Every minute spent answering routine questions about enrollment deadlines, tuition, or “Where can I find info on [fill in the blank]?” is a moment that could be spent building relationships, hosting campus visits, and engaging with prospective families and students on a deeper level.

If your admissions team could focus on those high-impact activities and know that, meanwhile, an AI chatbot on your school's website is handling high-level questions from prospective families, it would be like having a tireless brand ambassador working around the clock.

Could an AI chatbot be your school's next best recruiter and help improve admissions? Absolutely.

This combo of efficiency, personalization, and accuracy makes an AI chatbot a powerful recruiting tool for your school, like an assistant who’s ready to handle the influx of inquiries with precision and care. Let's explore how.

The Need for Instant Answers vs Your Admissions Team

When the enrollment stakes are so high, your school needs every advantage it can get. In Finalsite's Private School Enrollment Report, more than a third (37%) said keeping up with inquiries and follow-ups was the biggest source of pressure on their admissions office. Inconsistent communication followed at 22%.

Prospective families are impatient and want answers about everything, from after-school activities and the lunch menu to graduation requirements and the financial aid deadline. They might be researching late at night, during their lunch break, or driving around town running errands, but they expect information to be readily available, and they want to connect with your school on their terms.

Imagine the time saved with a consistent, accurate, and always-available AI to assist with the wide range of questions?

AI chat for schools offers that edge and engages prospective families in a way that's both efficient and engaging. Just as a friendly receptionist greets visitors to your school, a chatbot can greet website users with a warm welcome and immediate assistance.

The 24/7 availability of a chatbot makes the entire admissions process more accessible and less stressful. Now, your admissions team can focus on the more complex questions, personal tours, and the one-on-one relationships that are so crucial during a school search.

Showcasing Your School's Strengths: Putting Your Best Foot Forward

Just like a skilled admissions rep, an AI chatbot can be trained to answer questions about what sets your school apart. Sure, it can answer logistical, everyday, and generic questions, but it can also showcase your school's unique value proposition and help families see why your school is the right choice.

Academic Excellence: Don't just say you have a "strong academic program." Use Ask AI to share concrete data. For example, it can highlight average standardized test scores, graduation rates, the percentage of students who go on to college, or specific academic achievements.

It can also provide details about specialized programs, like a STEM focus, a classical curriculum, or an International Baccalaureate program. If you have award-winning teachers or innovative teaching methods, the chatbot can share that information with pride.

Values and Culture: Many families choose a school based on its values and culture. If your school focuses on character development, service learning, or a particular approach to education, the chatbot can reinforce those values and explain how they're integrated into the student experience.

It can share stories about student leadership initiatives, community service projects, or school traditions. If you have a diverse student body or a welcoming and inclusive environment, the chatbot can highlight those aspects, too.

Vibrant Community: Prospective families want to know what it's like to be part of your school community. The chatbot can share testimonials and highlight upcoming school events, like concerts, sports, or community gatherings. If you have a strong parent association or active volunteer network, the chatbot can showcase that involvement, too.

Special Programs and Offerings: Does your school have programs that set it apart? Maybe you offer a language immersion program or a specialized arts program. The chatbot can provide detailed information about these offerings and explain how they support the student experience.

Personalized Information: While a chatbot can provide general information, it can also be used to engage with a prospective family's interests and needs to form more relevant information.

For example, if a family expresses interest in sports, the chatbot can provide details about your school's athletic programs and teams.

Creating a Positive User Experience: Making a Lasting Impression

Just like a warm welcome can make a difference during a campus visit, a chatbot can play a big role in creating an efficient online experience:

Instant Answers: Matching the Need for Speed

Families expect high-quality answers in real time. They don't want to wait days for an email response or spend hours searching your website. A chatbot delivers information the moment it's requested.

Plus, families have busy lives, and they may not have time to contact your admissions office during regular business hours. A chatbot's 24/7 availability allows families to connect with your school at their convenience.

Personalized Attention: Feeling Heard and Valued

A personalized touch can go a long way in building trust and rapport, and while a chatbot can't replace the personal connection of a face-to-face meeting, it can provide personalized attention by addressing specific questions and guiding users toward relevant resources.

Keep Reading: How Much are AI Chatbots for School Websites? What's the ROI?

Consistent and Accurate Information: Building Trust and Confidence

Consistency is key to building trust. One admissions tour guide might provide one answer to a family, while another admissions rep might give a different response.

But that new admissions member—the one hired two weeks ago? Do they know everything they’d need to know to “wow “a family? Maybe not yet, but an AI chatbot like Ask AI can tap into its knowledge base and training materials, so that all prospective families receive a consistent message about your school.

Key Takeaway

It can’t get you coffee or lead a family around campus at the end of a long day, but an AI chatbot can be a valuable addition to your school's admissions process, a helpful assistant, answering common questions and sharing information about your school. Give your admissions team more time to focus on what they do best: connecting with families and helping them find the right school for their children.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Connor has spent the last decade within the field of marketing and communications, working with independent schools and colleges throughout New England. At Finalsite, Connor plans and executes marketing strategies and digital content across the web. A former photojournalist, he has a passion for digital media, storytelling, coffee, and creating content that connects.