12 ways to use Gratavid to increase enrollment rates & create supportive student experiences

There’s no doubt it’s a challenging time to be in enrollment and admissions. With sweeping reforms and a looming decline in enrollment, higher education and K-12 institution leaders face mounting challenges in attracting and retaining students.

With shifting government policies and growing skepticism about the value of higher education, it’s essential that enrollment leaders find innovative ways to engage students and drive enrollment.

Luckily, it’s become not only possible but easy to tap into game-changing tools like video messaging to engage students in meaningful, inspiring and effective ways.

The best student enrollment tool: Reasons to use a video messaging platform for enrollment

Personalized video is one of the most effective tools available today. Viewers retain 95% of a video’s message, compared to just 10% when reading text. For admissions and enrollment teams, video creates an engaging, authentic, and personal experience that resonates with students and their families. 

With Gravyty’s video messaging tool, Gratavid, institutions can:

• Showcase the unique personality and culture of their school
• Build connections with prospective students
• Provide timely, clear information in an engaging format
• Increase student confidence in their choice of institution

Here are 12 proven ways enrollment and admissions teams can use Gratavid to drive enrollment and enhance student experiences.

12 proven ways admissions & enrollment teams can use a video messaging platform

1. Send a pre-visit confirmation and introduction

Once a prospective student schedules a campus visit, send a personalized video confirmation with driving and parking instructions, along with a warm introduction. This small touch helps students and families feel welcomed before they step on campus.

2. Give virtual campus tours

For students who can’t visit in person, virtual campus tours via video offer a great alternative. Use Gratavid to introduce your school with a personal message from an admissions counselor or current student, making the experience feel tailored to each student.

3. Send a post-visit thank you video

After a student visits campus, follow up with a thank-you video to reinforce their positive experience and encourage next steps. This gesture leaves a lasting impression and increases the likelihood of continued engagement.

4. Let a student know they’ve been accepted

Let’s be honest—A personalized acceptance video is far more exciting than a standard email or letter. Institutions that include a GIF preview of the Gratavid video in acceptance emails often see 70%+ click-through rates, making this a highly effective way to celebrate students and build excitement.

5. Show prospective students a “day in the life”

Give prospective students a glimpse into what their life would be like at your institution. Use Gratavid to compile student testimonials, showcase campus events, and highlight extracurricular opportunities.

6. Answer frequently asked questions from applicants

Make the application process smoother by addressing FAQs via video. Provide insights on deadlines, required materials, and what to expect after submission. You can also include links to FAQ pages and relevant resources directly within the Gratavid message.

Pro tip 👉 Consider supporting students throughout their journey with an AI-powered chatbot, which can provide real-time responses to student inquiries and reduce the burden on admissions staff.

7. Support students in their financial aid journey

Financial aid can be a daunting topic for many students, especially for segments like first generation students who might not know where to start. Send step-by-step video guides on how to apply, important deadlines, and where to find support. Including personalized financial aid videos can help alleviate concerns and boost enrollment confidence.

8. Highlight current students

Seeing students share their real experiences fosters trust and connection. Gratavid offers a built-in video request feature, making it easy for you to collect stories from current students about their experiences with academics, student life, scholarships, and more.

9. Connect alumni with prospective students in their area

Prospective students are more likely to enroll if they hear from alumni who share similar backgrounds. Use Gratavid’s video request feature to collect testimonials from alumni and create regional video banks. Match alumni with prospective students from the same city to create a sense of community before they even arrive on campus.

Pro tip 👉 Gratavid seamlessly integrates with Graduway, Gravyty’s alumni engagement platform, so you can trigger automatic video messages when alumni interact with the platform, like joining an affinity group or RSVPing for an event.

10. Give a warm welcome to incoming or returning students

Kicking off a new semester or school year? Send welcome videos from faculty, staff, and student ambassadors to create excitement and provide helpful information on orientation events and campus resources.

11. Promote academic support services to at-risk students

Enrollment teams know—retention is just as important as admission. Use video to introduce students to on-campus personnel resources like student success coaches, tutoring services, and academic advisors. A personalized video can make it easier for struggling students to seek help before it’s too late.

Pro tip 👉 Use the predictive analytics available within Gravyty Engage to autonomously identify at-risk students and seamlessly deliver interventions and support straight to their email and SMS inboxes.

12. Award a scholarship

Scholarship recipients deserve to be celebrated, beyond a piece of paper! Send a custom video featuring past scholarship winners sharing their experiences. Gratavid’s built-in call to action buttons allow students to easily access next steps or submit required paperwork directly within the video message.

7 tips for using Gratavid to inspire more engagement

1. Write your recipient’s name on a whiteboard or piece of paper – This small touch adds a personal feel.

2. Share a brand video at the end of your reels – Reinforce your school’s value with an engaging story.

3. Automate a resend until the video is watched – Increase engagement by following up with students who haven’t viewed their message.

4. Assign a task owner – Ensure someone is responsible for outreach consistency.

5. Include calls to action with the Gratavid embed form feature – Include forms directly within your note templates for easy access to applications or RSVPs.

6. Designate ambassadors or champions – If an admissions counselor isn’t comfortable on video, have a student ambassador or faculty member deliver the message.

7. Be yourself! – Authenticity is more important than perfection. Use a phone, a smile, and a natural tone to create a genuine connection.

Next steps: Getting started with Gratavid—Gravyty’s video messaging platform

In today’s competitive enrollment landscape, institutions need innovative, human-centered strategies to attract and retain students. Personalized video puts a face to your institution, fosters meaningful connections, and enhances the student experience from application to graduation.

Don’t let outdated communication methods hold your institution back. Gravyty’s Gratavid helps admissions and enrollment teams scale outreach, drive engagement, and boost enrollment—all with the resources they have today. Ready to see how Gratavid can transform your approach to admissions and enrollment? Reach out to us today.