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As colleges and universities become more selective with how they welcome and prepare new students, institutions using Advantage Orientation^® measure return on investment in many ways. The strategy is to leverage a comprehensive online orientation solution to improve the total onboarding experience for new students and their families, while optimizing time and resources for staff. This strategy manifests itself differently, depending on the institution’s needs and goals.

Orientation, Student Success, Transition, and Enrollment Management professionals who use Advantage Orientation^® share practical needs when adopting this digital experience platform. Everyone wants to provide the best start for every student, to invite engagement, build confidence, and make a persuasive impression by presenting the institutional brand at its very best. They also need to achieve institutional objectives that impact the bottom line, such as:

• Reduce melt rates by reinforcing enrollment decisions
• Gain efficiencies by simplifying the enrollment process
• Stabilize expenses associated with onboarding
• Eliminate barriers to orientation information
• Prepare the institution to respond to any onboarding scenario

Return on Investment through Radical Onboarding Improvement

Institutions that implement Advantage Orientation^® are achieving results that can be measured in two kinds of ROI: Return on Investment through Radical Onboarding Improvement.

For each of these examples, you will find supporting information through a case study, an article, or a recording. It is important to remember that in each of these instances, the institution is empowered to position Advantage Orientation^® within the onboarding process in any way they choose. Most (over 65%) of Advantage Orientation schools invite students to participate in online orientation as soon as possible, typically upon admission. This strategy provides more time for students and their families to explore the content before taking an essential next step, such as preparing to register for classes or attend an on-campus orientation session.

Advantage Orientation^® Impact at 4-Year Institutions

• In one season, the graduate school at George Mason University reduced melt by 11% at the master’s level.
• Adding a digital component to their traditional orientation programming proved to fill an essential information gap for Denison University. In its first deployment, over half of all new students completed online orientation within 10 days of launch, and all students completed the program within 45 days.
• Florida International University experienced a three percent overall increase in matriculation among its freshman population.
• When IUPUI decided to move on-campus orientation events online, its Advantage Orientation^® served as the textbook. They were able to transform their hybrid online orientation programs to total virtual environments in a matter of weeks.
• Georgia State University created a comprehensive strategy to provide onboarding support throughout the student's journey, from admission to orientation to enrollment. Contrary to some enrollment trends, in one season Georgia State
  • Welcomed over 25K new students, families, and staff through online orientation
  • Decreased No-Show Rates by over 10% during a global pandemic
  • Enrolled the largest freshman class in university history

Advantage Orientation^® Impact at 2-Year Institutions

• Developed as part of its Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), Grayson College tracked key indicators showing increased student success for first-time college students. Fall to Spring retention increased 4%; Fall to Fall retention increased 2.3%; withdrawal rates decreased 2.5%
• After switching from another third-party provider, more than twice as many students at Cerro Coso Community College completed online orientation in six months as the entire year before.
• After moving orientation exclusively online, Eastern Florida State College experienced a 34% increase in registration in just one year.
• Previously, over 40% of a handful of students Mount Wachusett Community College left on-campus orientation without registering. Since launch, over 4K new students completed orientation at a rate of over 87%, and an estimated 90% registered for classes. 
• After switching from another online delivery method, the Community College of Baltimore County, the second-largest in Maryland, increased online orientation completion to 89%, and 96% of students reported feeling better equipped to start classes.

Take the Next Step toward Online Orientation Success

These real-life experiences represent how higher education institutions across the country measure the success of Advantage Orientation^®. Regardless of your school type, admissions model, or student population diversity, you can also realize a tangible return on investment. Request a live tour to discover how Advantage Orientation^® can help you meet your strategic orientation and retention goals.