Empowering Admissions: Transform Your Prospective and Admitted Student Events With Guidebook

In a recent Guidebook Meet fireside chat, two industry experts—Casey Johnstone, EDU Growth Client Relationship Manager at Guidebook, and Leilani Potgieter, Events Assistant at Northeastern University—explored how mobile technology is transforming the way institutions engage with prospective and admitted students. This dynamic session offered practical strategies and real-world success stories, highlighting the power of Guidebook’s platform to create seamless, personalized, and accessible student events. The discussion focused on Northeastern University’s innovative use of Guidebook throughout its yield cycle to showcase the campus, streamline event logistics, and support incoming students and their families. From interactive schedules to personalized resources, the speakers shared insights that can help make every event more impactful and memorable.

Key Takeaways From the Fireside Chat

• Comprehensive Resources: Centralize all event information in one easy-to-access location for students and families.
• Personalized Schedules: Allow students to customize their experience with session tracks and individualized schedules.
• Interactive Tools: Provide interactive maps, push notifications, and real-time updates for seamless event navigation.
• Accessibility & Inclusivity: Ensure all students have access to the same event information, supporting campus-wide DEI initiatives.
• Sustainability: Reduce paper waste and support sustainability goals with digital event guides.

Enhancing Engagement Through Personalization

Leilani shared her experience using Guidebook for admitted student events, explaining:

“We wanted a way to centralize all of our event information while making it easy for students to access on their own devices.”

With Guidebook, institutions can offer:

• Interactive maps that make it easier for students and families to navigate campus.
• Customizable schedules that allow students to pick and choose the sessions that matter most to them.
• Curated resource lists with essential materials and FAQs, so students have everything they need at their fingertips.

Casey also highlighted Guidebook’s adaptability, noting:

“Every event is different, but with Guidebook, you can tailor the experience to match the needs of your audience.”

This personalization helps students feel valued and connected from their first interaction with the institution.

Streamlining Event Management

Managing large-scale events with multiple sessions can be challenging, but Guidebook provides tools to simplify the process. Key features that make event management easier include:

• Real-time updates: Quickly address schedule changes and communicate them to attendees instantly.
• Push notifications: Send reminders, alerts, and updates throughout the event to keep students on track.
• Live adjustments: Handle last-minute changes without disrupting the attendee experience.

Leilani summed it up perfectly, stating:

“The ability to send real-time updates has been a game-changer, especially for events with multiple sessions happening at once.”

Accessibility and Inclusivity

Ensuring that students of all abilities can access event information is a critical focus for many universities. Casey emphasized the importance of meeting students where they are:

“It’s all about meeting students where they are—on their phones.”

Here’s how Guidebook supports accessibility:

• Mobile-first approach: Students can access event guides directly from their smartphones.
• Intuitive navigation: Clean layouts and clear instructions ensure the event experience is accessible to all.
• Equity for all attendees: No printed guides mean every student has equal access to the same information.

This approach supports campus DEI initiatives and ensures every attendee can fully participate in the event.

Sustainability and Cost-Effectiveness

Transitioning from printed materials to mobile apps isn’t just better for the planet—it’s also better for your bottom line. Institutions like Indiana Institute of Technology have experienced significant benefits after switching to Guidebook for Admitted Students Day, including:

• 105% increase in student yield (rising from 40% to 82%).
• 94% reduction in planning and production time.
• Sustainable impact: No more printing thousands of paper guides or schedules.

By going digital, universities can achieve significant savings, reduce waste, and create a more sustainable approach to event planning.

The Northeastern Advantage

Northeastern University’s approach to student events offers a model for other institutions to follow. With Guidebook, they’ve been able to:

• Provide comprehensive resources: Students and families have all event details at their fingertips.
• Offer self-guided tours: Families can explore campus at their own pace using the interactive map.
• Streamline the transition to campus life: Personalized information ensures students feel confident and prepared for their next steps.

The platform supports every stage of the student journey, from prospective student events to admitted student days and orientation. By giving students the tools they need to navigate campus life, Northeastern helps create a sense of belonging and connection right from the start.

Looking Ahead

Higher education is evolving, and students expect more personalized, mobile-first experiences. Guidebook's customizable, user-friendly platform equips institutions to deliver engaging, impactful student events that leave lasting impressions. By embracing mobile technology, schools can:

• Create personalized, student-centric experiences.
• Reduce the stress of event planning with intuitive, real-time updates.
• Support sustainability goals by cutting down on paper waste.

Watch the Full Fireside Chat!

Want to learn more about Northeastern University’s innovative use of Guidebook? Hear all the insights from Casey and Leilani in the full session. Gain inspiration for your own events and discover how mobile-first solutions can elevate the student experience. Watch the full Guidebook Meet fireside chat here!