#1: We already have an application system in place.

Efficiency and integration | That’s great! The GradCAS application can work alongside your current graduate school application review system and integrate with your existing SIS and CRM tools. It enhances your current process by offering centralized application management and making your data more accessible across departments.

Increased reach | GradCAS will help you expand the applicant pool and increase your enrollment pipeline. By joining GradCAS, you tap into a larger pool of applicants, increasing your exposure to potential students and improving application volume.

#2: Our graduate programs are too specialized for a centralized system.

Customization | GradCAS accommodates highly specialized graduate school programs by allowing each to set its own requirements, timelines, application fees, and workflows—with flexibility to modify throughout the enrollment cycle. GradCAS offers more flexibility than many other national healthcare CAS platforms.

Liaison Analytics | Included with GradCAS is a tool called Analytics, which gives real-time access to your enrollment funnel data and the ability to compare against the aggregate data of others on the platform. This includes detailed information on incomplete applications and whether any of your programs’ specialized questions or requirements are hindering application completion.

Broadening your reach | A centralized platform gives you access to applicants nationwide and internationally, who may not have otherwise found your niche program.

#3: We don’t want to lose control over our admissions process.

Full control retained | With GradCAS, you retain complete control over your admissions decisions, criteria, and processes. You can also update the application throughout the enrollment cycle.

Custom workflows | You can customize workflows that fit your institution’s specific needs. You won’t be sacrificing control; instead, you’ll gain tools to manage applications more effectively.

#4: We don’t want our applicants to see other graduate programs in an application.

Deep links | When a prospective student hits the “Apply Now” button on your website or in a direct email, the deep link to GradCAS will only show your school’s programs.

Liaison marketing efforts | Liaison invests in broad marketing efforts to drive domestic and international graduate applicants to GradCAS to multiple programs. The moment an applicant clicks on your graduate program in GradCAS, you will get notified that you have an interested applicant to begin your communications plan.

#5: We are worried it will be difficult to implement and manage.

Implementation and training | Our implementation team provides comprehensive support from start to finish. We ensure a smooth transition with training sessions for GradCAS users and additional assistance for your staff, including ongoing support to address any questions or concerns.

Ongoing support | Your college or university will have a dedicated Client Success Director (CSD) to be your partner for support for the entire time your institution is on GradCAS. Additionally, through Liaison Academy, you will have access to a plethora of synchronous and asynchronous methods of learning, including training videos and webinars.

#6: This platform will create additional work for our applicants.

Convenience for applicants | GradCAS broadens access to graduate education by simplifying the application process. Students can apply to multiple graduate programs across institutions using a single, streamlined application. Reduced friction in the process leads to higher completion rates and applicant satisfaction.

Common App Transfer | Students who have utilized Common App Transfer, which is powered by CAS, are already familiar with the workflow of a CAS application, and their login carries over.

#7: The $38 GradCAS processing fee will negatively impact my application volume.

Application fees | Application fees serve a strategic role in graduate program admissions. While some schools worry about fees deterring applicants, they can actually signal a student’s serious intent and help admissions teams focus on more committed candidates.

Cost and time savings for applicants | Applicants can upload their transcripts to GradCAS once and send them to multiple institutions. With direct integrations with Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, WES, and ECE, GradCAS saves applicants time and money in submitting domestic and international student transcripts and documentation. For institutions, these documents are attached to the application and delivered directly to your CRM.

#8: GradCAS will limit our brand and relationship-building with students.

Brand visibility | GradCAS helps enhance your institution’s brand by positioning your programs in a comprehensive, nationally recognized platform that is endorsed by Common App and NAGAP.

Direct communication | GradCAS users have tools to maintain personalized communication with applicants. The platform makes it easier to track and manage those communications.

#9: Data integrations are hard.

Data integration | GradCAS integrates seamlessly with your existing systems, such as your SIS and CRM. Our implementation process will guide you through this integration every step of the way.

Security and reliability | Your data is securely stored and transferred, following industry-standard security protocols to ensure data integrity and protection. Liaison can provide HECVAT and SOC 2 compliance documentation.

#10: It costs too much.

Cost-effectiveness | GradCAS has a proven track record of increasing application volumes. Schools on GradCAS in 2022-23 saw an average increase of 18.1% in applications. This can directly impact revenue generation through increased enrollment.

Administrative savings | Streamlined processing and reduced administrative burden can result in time and cost savings for your admissions team. By automating routine tasks, your staff can focus on strategic enrollment activities.

Special thanks to those who reviewed and contributed to this article, including Liaison’s Stephen Taylor and Jillian Baer as well as NAGAP representatives Keith Ramsdell, Brett DiMarzo, and Ryan Taughrin.