The Challenge
The Harris School was ready for an aggressive growth strategy. But the school faced tough competition in a highly selective tier, and any growth would require a deeper understanding of who did and didn’t enroll and the appeal of the school’s empirical-based offer. As Harris’s research partner, we were asked to learn everything we could about their audience’s motivation and provide actionable insights for optimizing prospect communications at every stage of the enrollment funnel.
The Impact
Applications have increased by 30 percent year over year since 2016—the result of an enrollment strategy shaped by our annual surveys and more targeted research assignments. Along with helping Harris more effectively showcase the value of the degree, refine tactics and messaging, and enhance conversions, our research also drove the successful launch of one year and evening programs, as well as more strategically sound financial aid packages.
Project components
- Seven years of research:
- – Annual benchmark perception surveys
- – Prospect-centered focus groups
We recently completed our sixth annual prospective student benchmark research for UChicago Harris School of Public Policy. Our annual surveys and research have produced actionable insights, increasing prospective student applications by 30% year-over-year since 2016. We can’t wait to see their continued success and growth!
Ranjan C. Daniels
AM ’94 Senior Associate Dean, Student Recruitment & Global Outreach, The University Of Chicago Harris School Of Public Policy