Applying to college should be a straightforward step toward a student’s future. But for many institutions, the application process has become a patchwork of digital forms, systems, and workflows that make things harder than necessary—both for students and the staff who support them.
Why University Admissions Needs a Simpler Process
Admissions teams work hard to attract the right students, yet too often, the systems in place slow down their work.
When departments manage their own applications separately, staff spend valuable time reconciling data, tracking down missing information, and troubleshooting inconsistencies. These inefficiencies don’t just add work—they can delay enrollment decisions, create barriers for students, and make it harder to build strong incoming classes.
At the same time, students expect a modern, intuitive experience. A complicated or redundant application process can cause frustration, leading some students to abandon their applications entirely. In today’s competitive landscape, small barriers can make a big difference in recruitment and retention.
A Better Way to Manage University Applications
Universities that simplify and unify their application systems see real benefits: faster processing times, reduced administrative workload, and a better student experience.
When applications flow through a single, connected system, staff spend less time troubleshooting and more time engaging with prospective students. Applicants can complete their forms without frustration, increasing completion rates and improving enrollment outcomes.
A unified system means:
- Less manual work for staff – Automating workflows and approvals eliminates tedious administrative tasks.
- A smoother experience for applicants – Students only provide the necessary information without redundant steps or confusion.
- Better insights for strategic decisions – Centralized application data helps admissions teams improve outreach and refine enrollment strategies.
- Easier adaptation to changes – As programs evolve, application updates can be made in one place instead of across multiple disconnected systems.
How Technology is Fixing the Admissions Process
Making this shift isn’t just about cutting paperwork—it’s about using the right technology to simplify processes and connect data across departments. Coastal works with universities to implement Salesforce Education Cloud, FormAssembly, and MuleSoft, creating a smoother admissions experience.
- Salesforce Education Cloud – Keeps all applicant data in one place, giving admissions teams a clear view of prospective students and automating routine tasks.
- FormAssembly – Creates smart, adaptable application forms that adjust based on what students are applying for, eliminating unnecessary fields and duplicate data entry.
- MuleSoft – Ensures application data flows smoothly between systems, so staff aren’t stuck manually transferring information or fixing errors.
Together, these technologies allow universities to simplify applications, reduce administrative burdens, and focus on what really matters: supporting students.
Learn How UDC Transformed Admissions at Education Summit
The University of the District of Columbia is streamlining admissions by unifying systems and simplifying processes with Salesforce Education Cloud and MuleSoft.
In our session, An Impact School’s Transformative Education Cloud Journey, Coastal and UDC will share how they eliminated inefficiencies, connected Salesforce with Banner and Common App, and built a unified admissions system that works better for students and staff alike.
If your institution wants to cut administrative complexity, improve the application experience, and make data-driven decisions with confidence, this session will give you a clear, practical framework to take back to your team.
📍 Join us live at Education Summit to see how UDC is transforming admissions—and what you can apply at your institution.
Visit our Event Hub for details.
