Solving the International Enrollment Dilemma

?? The Global Surge in International Applications: Blessing or Burden?

International student interest is at an all-time high, with applications pouring in from across the globe—especially Southeast Asia and Africa. While the academic mission of global access to education is noble and essential, many institutions are facing a practical dilemma:

Is it economically sustainable to read, admit, and process thousands of international applications when most students may not have the financial ability to enroll?

?? The Cost of Access

For many mid-sized colleges and universities, this is a growing concern. Admissions teams invest significant time reviewing applications and issuing thousands of acceptance letters, only to find that many applicants lack the financial documentation needed to cover tuition, expenses, and secure a student visa.

This raises key questions:

• Should institutions continue hiring more staff just to process applications that won’t yield enrollments?
• Are existing processes helping or hindering recruitment goals?

?? Common (But Imperfect) Solutions

To manage the surge and filter out non-serious applicants, many institutions have adopted a few tactics:

1. Higher Application Fees: Discourages casual applicants, especially those applying solely for visa opportunities.
2. Credential Evaluations: Adds cost and complexity, deterring some students, but also delaying the process.
3. Mandatory Deposits: Helps gauge intent, but raises concerns around refund policies and visa refusals.

? A Smarter Approach: Bank Statement Verification (BSV) by Applywave

Applywave now offers an automated Bank Statement Verification feature, designed specifically to tackle this problem.

With just a few clicks, institutions can instantly verify:

• If applicants have the necessary financial resources to cover tuition and expenses
• If their financial documents are authentic and unaltered

This tool gives admissions teams clarity before investing time and resources on full application reviews.

?? But When Should You Require Proof of Funds?

Now that verification is fast and reliable, a new dilemma arises: At what point in the application process should your institution require proof of funds?

• After Admission? You’re still reading thousands of files that may lead nowhere.
• During the Admission Process? You’ll likely reduce the number of applicants—but improve conversion rates and staff efficiency.

?? Where Will Your Institution Draw the Line?

Every school is different—but one thing is clear: using smarter tools at the right stage of the funnel can dramatically increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve international enrollment outcomes.

Thanks for being part of the Applywave community. Together, we’re building smarter pathways for global education. ??

— Applywave Team: Smarter. Faster. More Ethical International Enrollment.