AI is transforming how schools admit students, urging a shift from scores to stories in a more dynamic and efficient process.
INTERVIEW | by Victor Rivero
The college admissions process is undergoing a seismic shift—and the institutions that thrive will be the ones that adapt quickly and wisely. At the center of this transformation is a new wave of AI-powered solutions aiming to make admissions more efficient, personalized, and aligned with the real world. Ashish Fernando is the Founder and CEO of EDMO and iSchoolConnect, companies focused on dramatically changing student admissions with AI-driven solutions. Passionate about education, Ashish aims to bridge the gap between education and the workforce. With a background in leadership and entrepreneurship, he emphasizes the importance of action over perfection and strategic focus in creating real-world success. In this EdTech Digest exclusive, Ashish shares his vision for overcoming enrollment and admissions challenges in higher education, as well as his team’s development process, their alignment of pertinent technologies, and how institutions and the students they serve can survive well in the evolving admissions landscape.
What problem in the education system was your company created to solve, and how has your approach evolved since launch?
EDMO was created with a vision to boost enrollment efficiency. I sincerely believe that in the era of rapid communication and faster result expectations, higher-education institutions cannot function with pre-existing evaluation methods.
‘I sincerely believe that in the era of rapid communication and faster result expectations, higher-education institutions cannot function with pre-existing evaluation methods.’
As a team, we saw universities grappling with multiple challenges like enrollment decline, low student engagement, and overwrought enrollment teams.
After months of brainstorming, we understood that the only solution to these problems was automating the enrollment process with humans in the loop, which would be cost-efficient and reduce manual effort to a massive degree. After plenty of research and analysis, we developed a suite of cutting-edge AI solutions under EDMO that integrates with CRM systems and performs multiple functions like document processing, personalized engagement with students and streamlining admissions processes by reducing friction points.
Currently, we have created flagship products like Document Intelligence, Conversation Intelligence, and Human Intelligence to help admission teams identify high-priority leads, personalize outreach, and select the best candidates for their institutions.
‘Currently, we have created flagship products like Document Intelligence, Conversation Intelligence, and Human Intelligence to help admission teams identify high-priority leads, personalize outreach, and select the best candidates for their institutions.’
Right from the outset, we embody a forward-thinking approach to provide enrollment-centric solutions to the higher-ed players to boost their enrollment funnels and amplify student engagement rates.
How are you leveraging emerging technologies like AI or adaptive learning to improve outcomes for students and educators?
As a company deploying AI solutions, we saw institutions hitting a snag, losing out on prospective admissions, and creating a vacuum between students and educators.
That’s where our maximum efforts are directed.
Although these institutions are great at imparting education, most of them were failing to attract students because they are not able to manage large volumes of applications, deliver timely responses, and motivate students to complete their applications.
‘Although these institutions are great at imparting education, most of them were failing to attract students because they are not able to manage large volumes of applications, deliver timely responses, and motivate students to complete their applications.’
That’s where we decided to enter the space and help institutions connect with students and guide them better on their course curriculum, learning outcomes, faculties, and job prospects with targeted outreach strategies.
Conversation Intelligence majorly addresses this by fostering personalized and automated engagement with prospective students to provide relevant information promptly and offer guidance throughout the applicant journey.
By aligning these technologies, our vision is to provide a seamless and engaging experience for students, as well as promote operational efficiency for institutions.
In addition to this, we harness AI to transform the admissions landscape. Our platform automates the review of application documents—such as transcripts, essays, and recommendation letters—by extracting key data points, evaluating academic performance, and converting grading scales with unparalleled accuracy. This automation reduces the amount of manual work, but also increases objectivity and efficiency.
How do you approach building trust with students, families, and institutions when introducing AI into something as personal and high-stakes as college admissions?
We value honest feedback. It can only be given by those who are the beneficiaries of our products, primarily institutions and students. Trust is essential in higher education, and we recognize that trust is even more important when using AI for processes like admissions, where the stakes are high and the issues are sensitive. We embrace transparency, accountability, and human oversight in our AI solutions. We deploy technology that does not replace humans but automates critical work and makes them the ultimate decision-makers; therefore, every decision is made with empathy and human understanding.
‘We embrace transparency, accountability, and human oversight in our AI solutions. We deploy technology that does not replace humans but automates critical work and makes them the ultimate decision-makers.’
Additionally, we have honest conversations with students, families, and institutions to clarify and address issues and connect with feedback. Building confidence in our platform’s capacity for fair, informed decision-making is consistent with our earnest desire for continuous learning and flexibility.
What challenges do students commonly face when applying to universities, and how does your company specifically aim to solve them?
Students face various challenges, especially while filling out applications, such as complicated application language, use of academic jargon, and unfamiliar grading systems, especially in the case of international admissions. Due to this, they do not complete or submit their applications.
Add to that delayed application responses, lack of real-time updates on application status, and tardy responses to student queries, make the entire process even more unpleasant for students.
EDMO allays students’ concerns by sending quick application updates, providing assistance in filling out applications, and personalizing outreach so that their questions or doubts are immediately addressed.
For students, it reduces application-related stress and allows them to gain clarity about various aspects of an institution where they are planning to take admissions.
For institutions, it helps increase their application completion rates, engage with students personally, help them make informed decisions and surge their enrollment funnels.
As the higher ed admissions landscape evolves—with test-optional policies, AI-assisted essays, and shifting enrollment patterns—what trends should students and institutions be preparing for?
The higher education landscape has been changing rapidly. While institutions have become test-optional, it appears that institutions will increasingly rely on AI-driven tools to evaluate applications, engage students personalized, and effectively administer the admissions process.
Students should spend less time on their GPA or standardized test scores and instead focus on building a strong all-round profile. Students should plan to highlight skills, experiences, and personal stories that match an institution’s values. Institutions should invest in technology that is result-oriented, helps them garner students’ trust and maintains inclusivity within the admissions process. In summary, both students and institutions can adapt to the evolving admissions landscape with more certainty.
—
Victor Rivero is the Editor-in-Chief of EdTech Digest. Write to: victor@edtechdigest.com
Share this:
- Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
Like this:
Like Loading…
Related
Original Article Published at Edtech Digest
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
