Enhance Diversity with Aligned Admissions at PWIs

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For Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs), the challenge of diversifying enrollment isn’t just a moral imperative—it’s a strategic necessity. As student demographics evolve and expectations shift, institutions that were historically less diverse are now reimagining their outreach, engagement, and admissions processes to serve a broader, more inclusive student body.

But while mission statements often reflect these goals, the real test lies in execution—in how institutions connect with prospective students, build trust, and follow through with a seamless enrollment journey.

The Enrollment Gap at PWIs

Research consistently shows that students of color and first-generation college applicants are more likely to experience friction in the admissions process. From a lack of transparent communication around aid to difficulty accessing support, these breakdowns are often unintentional—but they have lasting consequences.

At PWIs, even when diversity recruitment initiatives are in place, they’re often undercut by fragmented systems. Marketing and outreach may target underrepresented students, but if inquiry follow-up, application tracking, or financial aid coordination are handled in silos, the student experience falls apart quickly.

Building Trust Through Systems, Not Just Stories

For institutions trying to drive more inclusive enrollment, the key lies in connecting the dots operationally. That means:

Ensuring outreach strategies are backed by real-time engagement tools
Providing counselors with a full view of each student’s journey
Reducing friction points like missed follow-ups or aid delays
Allowing students to engage on their terms, via mobile or WhatsApp
Offering peer or faculty interactions that build community early on

This isn’t just about recruiting more diverse students. It’s about building the infrastructure to support and retain them.

Where Meritto Fits

Institutions using Meritto are closing these gaps by bringing everything under one roof. Whether it’s capturing inquiries from local high schools, tracking application progress, or integrating financial aid status into the student portal, Meritto helps PWIs create the kind of connected, transparent experience that underrepresented students often need to stay confident in their decision.

Through AI-powered communication, real-time dashboards, and a purpose-built admissions platform, Meritto enables teams to engage more meaningfully and recruit more equitably—from first click to class start.

In the journey to become more inclusive, the difference lies in what happens after the outreach brochure. And that’s where systems like Meritto make all the difference. Schedule a personalized demo today.