Furman University takes new approach to student recruitment

When colleges and universities across the country opened their websites for applications on Aug. 1, Furman University launched new and enhanced ways of attracting future students and their parents.

Early decision

The most significant change is to the early decision process. (Acceptance under early decision is a binding commitment.) For the first time, Furman is offering distinct advantages to students who apply under this binding application round. Students offered admission through early decision will receive:

• Early course registration for their first semester, first-year classes,
• Preferred placement in one of their top-three first-year residence hall choices, and
• Preferred placement in one of their top-three first-year writing seminar course choices.

On a new early decision website, prospective students can request a financial estimate to help determine whether early decision is right for them. An official offer of financial aid is available as soon as students are admitted.

Application deadlines 

There are two early decision periods, which are binding. The early decision 1 deadline is Nov. 1, with decisions announced by Nov. 15. The early decision 2 deadline is Jan. 15, with decisions announced by Feb. 1.

Furman has moved up its timeline for early action, a non-binding application. The deadline is now Nov. 1, two weeks sooner than last year. Applicants will be notified of admittance by Dec. 20, three and a half weeks earlier.

For regular decision, the deadline remains Jan. 15, with decisions announced by Feb. 15.

“High school students and their families need to know quickly where they’ve been accepted and how much they need to budget for college,” said Emily Schuck, vice president for Enrollment Management at Furman. “We’ve adjusted our practices to be more aligned with what’s important for families today.”

Competing for the best

The student recruiting landscape is also increasingly competitive nationwide as the college-age population begins to decline. Universities with very large endowments have more scholarship money to entice applicants.

Furman competes for students from across the country by pairing rigorous academics with an unrivaled level of mentoring and support, Schuck said. The university ranks 45^th overall and 7^th for most innovative among all liberal arts and sciences universities, and 22^nd for best first-year experience and 32^nd for best undergraduate research among all universities.

The high level of student participation in research, internships and study away also sets Furman apart. More than 85% of students participate in at least one of these engaged learning experiences, and many students participate in more than one.

Campus Tours

Many students interested in Furman make their decisions final when they visit campus, Schuck said. The grounds are regularly included in “most beautiful” lists, and the faculty have a chance to shine. Monday-through-Friday tours, special Saturday events and monthly virtual events bring thousands of people to campus each year.

Fall for Furman is an opportunity for interested students and families to have a more in-depth campus experience. They meet students and professors, tour classrooms and labs, and tailgate at a football game.

New this year is a Fall for Furman just for high school seniors on Oct. 4. The event is in conjunction with Family Weekend. Interested students and families will be able to connect with current Furman students and families and get to know more about the university ahead of the Nov. 1 early decision and early action application deadlines. The regular Fall for Furman, open to all prospective students, will be Nov. 15.

A more targeted, data-driven approach to telling people about Furman’s advantages are also part of the overall strategy for enhanced student recruitment, Schuck said. Prospective students can expect more engaging, relevant communications with the university, and more dynamic web resources where they can find more information.

“We’re redefining how we engage with high school students and their college search,” Schuck said. “They’re very savvy about selecting where they’re going to spend the next four years of their lives. We hope prospective students understand Furman’s unique place in higher education.”