Post on 22-May-2020
How to Recommend the Transfer Option to First-Year Students: UNCW’s Teal Track Program
Tom Tascone
Transfer Admissions Coordinator
UNC Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
• Located on the coast of North Carolina• Approximately 109, 922 residents• Known as the “Port City” or “Hollywood East”
Our Campus
• UNCW is North Carolina’s Coastal University
• One of 17 public institutions within the UNC System
• We offer:• 52 Undergraduate
major concentrations• 38 Master Programs• 2 Doctoral programs
UNCW at a Glance –First-Year vs. Transfer Fall 2013
Transfer Admission Averages
Avg. Cumulative GPA 3.15
Avg. # of Transferable
Hours
48
Freshman vs Transfer
% of incoming first-time
UNCW students
Freshman 55%
Transfer 45%
First Year Admission
Averages
Avg. Weighted
GPA
3.89
Avg. SAT / ACT
w/writing
1190 /
24
UNCW at a Glance – Fall 2013
University Enrollment
Total 13,733
Undergraduate 12,387
Graduate 1,346
Top Majors
Biology
Business
Communication
Studies
Creative Writing
Education
Film Studies
Marine Biology
Nursing
Psychology
Social Work
Demographics
Female 57%
Male 43%
Minority 17%
UNCW’s Office of Admissions
Operations
10 Team Members
Transfer Team
7 Members
First-Year Team
11 Members
The Counseling Staff
What is UNCW’s Teal Track?
• Teal Track is the transfer opportunity provided to high-interest, non-competitive First-Year applicants we believe would be competitive Transfer to Teal students.
• A program tailored to this specific demographic with family friendly information regarding the transfer enrollment process
• Hands on approach to transferring while enhancing the applicants independence throughout the application process.
Why Use Teal Track• First-Year Offer Rate: 52%
• Engage a captive audience of high interest students
• Increase the prospective transfer student funnel
• Inspire a sense of belonging
• Build on UNCW’s interest in continuing to be a transfer-friendly institution.
How we Execute Teal Track• Collaborate with First-Year Team to determine the right
student population to recommend to Transfer to Teal.• Ex: high GPA, mid-level test score• Ex: first-choice, mid-level GPA and test scores, and
consistent performance throughout high school.
How we Execute Teal Track• Introduce Teal Track using a tailored First-Year denial
decision letter
Dear Sammy Seahawk:
I regret to inform you that we are unable to offer you admission to the University of North Carolina Wilmington for the Fall 2014 semester. UNCW#TransfertoTeal, etc.
You exhibited a strong interest in attending UNCW and presented promising credentials; therefore, we encourage you to consider applying as a transfer candidate in the future. The specific requirements of this possibility are outlined in detail at uncw.edu/admissions/tealtrack. If you have questions after reviewing the information, please call (910) 962-3243, and ask to speak with a transfer counselor, or email uncwtransfer@uncw.edu. This suggestion is being made to a select number of students.
Establish the Brand and Identity
How we Execute Teal Track
• Externally –Create tailored email communications, transfer specific blogging, and social media outlets such as Facebook & Twitter.
• Internally-Educate our office about the program and it is housed within the Transfer Team so they can best serve the students they interface with.
• Develop a Tailored Email Communication Plan
• Introduction to Teal Track in late summer to establish a line of communication with the students
• Introduce students to a Teal Track Counselor
• Send encouraging emails throughout the academic year
• Suggest transferable courses to consider enrolling in
• Provide students with the timeline to apply
• Students receive Teal Track specific emails at least once per month
*students always have the option to opt-out or select to no longer receive email correspondence.
How we Execute Teal Track
Teal Track Students
Applicants – 6%
Admits – 70%
Intend to Enroll – 78%
Results – 2013-2014 Pilot Year
Challenges & Lessons Learned Aid the student and family by providing “family
friendly” information while empowering the student
Distinct difference between FY and transfer applicants
Students success is contingent upon their involvement in their educational goals
Website and Teal Tracks tools are for two audiences: student and parent
Use language that pivots between high school and higher education lingo
Challenges & Lessons Learned Coordination between First-Year and Transfer Teams
Communicate a consistent message to students
Facilitate the hand off between FY and Transfer teams (i.e., when we step in)
Respect and encourage enrollment at an institution other than our own
Design the entire Teal Track program for a community college transfer student
Provide support regarding transferability of courses
Looking Ahead Increase the Brand
Teal Track specific visit days
Visiting on campus, Transfer to Teal Tours, panel discussions
Looking Ahead Increase the Brand
Increased social media outreach (i.e. Facebook Group Page Development)
Ability to market to the group of students throughout the application process via Twitter, Facebook, and blogging outlets.