The transition from high school to college is one of the most exciting stages in a student’s life. However, between acceptance of letters in the spring and the start of classes in the fall, there is a period of time known as ‘summer melt’. This means that universities and colleges receive a large number of students who accept the offers but fail to join the classes. This failure of incoming college students to enroll isn’t just a problem for students. Rather, it affects colleges on every level, from enrollment and budgets to the overall atmosphere of campus. In fact, most colleges are unaware that they are engaging in practices that create this melt.
Here are 10 of these pitfalls and some strategies college leaders can employ to smooth the transition from high school to college for students.
10 Common Mistakes College Leaders Make That Contribute to Summer Melt and How to Fix It
1. Lack of Communication Over the Summer
Mistake: Many colleges reduce communication with accepted students after sending out their initial acceptance letters, assuming that students will arrive on campus without much guidance.
Solution: Create a communication plan that students regularly check throughout the summer. Colleges can use various means of communication like email, SMS, or even continue with social media platforms. A weekly or bi-weekly email of “deals of the week” with encouraging words can keep students up to date and motivate them to join the community that has been formed.
Tip: Start a ‘‘Countdown to Campus’’ series with college life tips, campus news, and stories to get students excited.
2. Overwhelming Students with Paperwork
Mistake: Burdening students with endless forms and paperwork can lead to frustration and disengagement.
Solution: Simplify the administrative process by breaking it down into manageable pieces. Create checklists that students can follow step-by-step and provide digital tools that make it easier to fill out forms. Many colleges now use mobile applications where students can check off tasks as they go.
Tip: Use the calendar to send notifications that briefly explain the meaning of each form and the due date.
3. Limited Support and Follow-ups of Financial Assistance
Mistake: Many students who drop out before classes even begin cite financial reasons. In many cases, students are not fully aware of the steps required to complete their financial aid process.
Solution: Provide constant financial support and counselling throughout the summer. Assign someone to the role of “explainer” or create a webpage that outlines how to apply for loans, scholarships, or work-study programs.
Tip: Offer one-on-one online consultations, where students can speak with a counsellor and get answers to questions about the financial details of obtaining scholarships or any other aids.
4. Not Engaging Parents and Families
Mistake: Ignoring the role of the family in the decision-making can lead to a lower engagement and eventual drop out.
Solution: Include parents and family members in the communications, especially for first-generation students who may lack guidance at home. For informational purposes, they all can sign up to receive family-friendly newsletters or be invited to family meetings to learn about the support available to students.
Tip: Develop a resource commonly known as “Parent Manual to College” to help parents and families easily understand how they can support their child’s college experience.
Also Read: Don’t Just Graduate, Be Indispensable: Must-Have Skills for Today’s Job Market
5. Limited Opportunities for Peer Connection
Mistake: Students who don’t feel connected to others are more likely to drop out before they even start college.
Solution: Create virtual meet-and-greet sessions, group chats, and social media groups where new students can interact. Many colleges organise “Summer Orientation Days” where students can meet their future classmates, join small discussion groups, and feel part of a community.
Tip: Seniors can assist new students with sign-ups, answer their questions, and provide guidance.
6. Overlooking the Support for Academic Preparation
Mistake: Before students enter college, the workload is usually quite demanding, and students can already feel pressure before they even start college.
Solution: Offer summer tracers and workshops to help students build study skills, time management skills, content knowledge, and more. Online math and writing support can help students feel prepared for classwork and reduce the risk of procrastination.
Tip: Organize a “Get Ready for College” online series where instructors provide a glimpse into college and give college success tips.
7. Ignoring Mental Health and Well-being
Mistake: Transitioning to college can be emotionally taxing, and students often feel stressed and anxious about the change.
Solution: Make mental health resources easily accessible and visible to students. Offer virtual counselling sessions, meditation workshops, and wellness resources. Let students know they are encouraged and supported to seek help on campus.
Tip: Send regular reminders about mental health resources, self-care tips, and stress management techniques.
8. Not Assisting with Housing and Roommate Concerns
Mistake: Such uncertainty can cause anxiety, especially for students living on their own for the first time.
Solution: Streamline the placement process and clearly communicate room assignments, on-campus hostel options, and roommate choices. Provide FAQs and hotlines to answer common housing questions, and share tips about living with a roommate.
Tip: Organize a virtual “Meet Your Roommate” event, where students can connect with their assigned roommates and discuss living expectations.
9. Underestimating the Importance of Campus Visits
Mistake: Depending on the circumstances, some students may attend their first day of classes without ever being physically on campus.
Solution: Organise “summer visit days” where the students and families can come and explore the campus and staff, and even attend some sample classes. This is also important for students who can’t attend an in-person tour. Interactive webinars are also helpful for students.
Tip: Post student-created personalized video tours of their favorite spots on campus and tips for surviving college life on Twitter and Instagram.
10. Lack of Guidance on Career and Academic Goals
Mistake: Many students go to college with uncertainty in academic and career planning, which leads to doubts of whether to attend college or not.
Solution: Offer early career and academic counselling. Host webinars or virtual sessions where students can discuss their academic plans and career aspirations. Career counselors can also connect students with internship opportunities and resources and help them gain the skills they need to get hired.
Tip: Host seminars commonly known as “career fairs” to help students develop their academic and career plans and feel a sense of purpose as they begin their college experience.
Also Read: Exploring Alternate Career Paths for Indian Graduates
Conclusion
Preventing the summer melt isn’t as simple as sending out acceptance letters. It requires ongoing encouragement, communication, and understanding from your institution to welcome students and prepare them for college. By avoiding these pitfalls and implementing preventative measures effectively, college leaders can safely motivate and retain admitted students.
Assisting learners cope with the change in services when they join college is an investment for every stakeholder. Students ensure they are valued by the institutions they study at; parents have confidence that their children are safe in those institutions; universities benefit from reduced dropout rates. By fostering connection and communication and creating a supportive environment, educational institutions can ensure that more students have a smooth transition from enrollment to attendance and are ready to begin their academic journey. Just as Varthana supports educational institutions with the resources they need to thrive, universities that prioritize student success leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
FAQs
1. What is melt prevention?
Melt prevention refers to strategies used by educational institutions to ensure students follow through on their enrollment plans. It involves actions like regular communication, pre-college orientation, and support systems to address barriers that might cause students to withdraw before starting college. Effective melt prevention reduces dropout rates and fosters a sense of belonging among students, ensuring they remain committed to their educational goals.
2. What does melt stand for in higher education?
In higher education, “melt” refers to the phenomenon where admitted students fail to enrol or complete the transition to college. It often occurs due to financial, social, or logistical challenges. Melt can significantly affect college enrollment rates, making it crucial for institutions to implement targeted interventions like financial aid support, mentoring programs, and personalised follow-ups to minimize its impact.
3. What is the full form of GAP in education?
GAP in education is an abbreviation that is understood to mean Guaranteed Admission Program more specifically. It has defined it as the inter-institutional understanding between institutions that contracts admission of students into certain Studies Programs on the basis of some specified performance levels. On the other hand, GAP can also mean “Gaps in Access and Participation,” as it covers inequalities in educational rights for one group or another and IS addressed with inclusiveness policies and support schemes.
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