It’s mid-semester. Students are cramming for midterms, campus is alive with football games and fall festivals. But in the admissions office, the focus is already on next year. Applications are opening, competition for students is fierce, and the smartest universities know that fall isn’t just about pumpkin spice — it’s about planning.

📈 Welcome Kits = Higher Yield

National enrollment studies show that personalized student engagement can increase yield rates by up to 15%. And what’s more personal than a curated welcome kit arriving on a student’s doorstep?

In Gesture’s work with one university, sending branded sweatshirts and digital QR Codes boosted enrollment yield by 12% in a single cycle. That’s not a nice-to-have — that’s game-changing ROI.

🎁 What Goes Into a Kit That Works?

Welcome kits aren’t just about “free stuff.” They’re about building belonging. Items like branded apparel and sustainable swag give students identity and pride. Practical items like planners or earbuds solve immediate needs. And personalized notes? They trigger what psychologists call the reciprocity principle — students are more likely to respond positively when they feel someone went the extra mile for them.

🗓 Why Fall is the Best Time to Plan

Waiting until spring to design acceptance kits leaves schools scrambling with budgets and suppliers. Planning in fall gives universities time to:

• Lock in better pricing from vendors.
• Customize messaging and design.
• Strategically align with admissions milestones.

By the time acceptance letters go out, your kits are ready to roll — not rushed through at the last second.

🎯 The Competitive Advantage

Students today have options. They’re not just comparing financial aid packages; they’re comparing experiences. A thoughtful welcome kit can be the difference between choosing your school or a competitor. In fact, 78% of students in a Higher Ed survey said receiving branded welcome items made them feel more excited to attend.

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🎓 Want to turn next year’s admits into committed students? Start planning your welcome kits with Reach360 EDU today →