Admit a student (end-to-end)
This guide covers the complete admissions pipeline-from initial prospect capture through final enrollment and class assignment. The system supports multiple entry points and workflow stages to accommodate different admission scenarios.
What this guide covers
- Admissions pipeline overview and stage definitions
- Prospect management and lead tracking
- Application creation and submission
- Document collection and verification
- Decision workflow and offer management
- Enrollment creation and class assignment
- Alternative paths (direct admission, waitlist promotion)
Before you start
Required setup
Ensure the following are configured:
| Requirement | Location | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Academic year | Foundation -> Academic Years | Target enrollment period |
| Terms | Foundation -> Terms | Term structure for the year |
| Grade levels | Foundation -> Grade Levels | Available grade levels |
| Class divisions | Foundation -> Class Divisions | Classes for student assignment |
| Admission cycle | Admissions -> Cycles | Active admission period |
| Admission programs | Admissions -> Programs | Available programs/streams |
Required permissions
| Permission | Description |
|---|---|
admissions.prospects.create | Create and manage prospects |
admissions.applications.create | Create applications |
admissions.applications.edit | Update application pipeline stage |
admissions.decisions.create | Issue admission decisions |
admissions.offers.create | Generate admission offers |
admissions.enrollments.create | Create enrollment records |
Admissions pipeline overview
The system tracks applications through defined pipeline stages:
Pipeline stages
| Stage | Description | Next possible stages |
|---|---|---|
draft | Application being drafted | submitted, withdrawn |
submitted | Submitted by applicant | screening, withdrawn |
screening | Initial review in progress | awaiting_exam, awaiting_interview, decision_pending, rejected |
awaiting_exam | Awaiting entrance examination | decision_pending, rejected |
awaiting_interview | Awaiting interview | decision_pending, rejected |
decision_pending | Decision awaiting approval | offer_sent, rejected |
offer_sent | Admission offer sent | offer_accepted, withdrawn |
offer_accepted | Offer accepted by applicant | enrolled |
enrolled | Student enrolled | - (terminal) |
withdrawn | Withdrawn by applicant | - (terminal) |
rejected | Rejected by school | - (terminal) |
Application status
Separate from pipeline stage, applications have a lifecycle status:
| Status | Description |
|---|---|
draft | Not yet submitted |
active | In progress through pipeline |
withdrawn | Withdrawn |
closed | Process completed |
Path 1: Full admissions pipeline
Step 1: Create a prospect (optional)
Prospects represent potential applicants before formal application. Use prospects for:
- Open day inquiries
- Phone/email inquiries
- Walk-in visitors
- Event registrations
Navigate to Admissions -> Prospects
- Create prospect
- Prospect statuses
- Inquiry sources
| Field | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| First name | Yes | Prospect's first name |
| Last name | Yes | Prospect's last name |
| No | Contact email | |
| Phone | No | Contact phone |
| Inquiry source | No | How they heard about the school |
| Interest level | No | Low, Medium, High |
| Desired grade level | No | Target grade for enrollment |
| Desired academic year | No | Target academic year |
| Status | Description |
|---|---|
new | Newly created prospect |
contacted | Initial contact made |
qualified | Confirmed as viable applicant |
lost | Not proceeding |
converted | Converted to application |
- Website
- Referral
- Social media
- Advertisement
- Event
- Walk-in
- Other
Step 2: Create the application
Navigate to Admissions -> Applications -> New Application
Applicant personal information
| Field | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| First name | Yes | Applicant's first name |
| Middle name | No | Middle name |
| Last name | Yes | Last name |
| Date of birth | Yes | DOB for age verification |
| Gender | No | Male, Female, Other |
| Nationality | No | Country of citizenship |
| National ID | No | National identification number |
| No | Contact email | |
| Phone | No | Contact phone |
| Address | No | Physical address |
| Home province | No | Province of residence |
| Home district | No | District of residence |
Academic preferences
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Desired grade level | Target grade for enrollment |
| Desired academic year | Target academic year |
| Desired term | Target term |
| Enrollment type | Full-time, part-time |
| Boarding preference | Day, Boarding, Half-boarding |
Previous school history
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Previous school | Name of last school attended |
| Previous grade | Last completed grade level |
| Reason for leaving | Transfer reason |
Primary guardian information
| Field | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Guardian name | Yes | Full name of guardian |
| Relationship | Yes | Relationship to applicant |
| Phone | Yes | Contact phone |
| No | Contact email | |
| Address | No | Physical address |
| Employer | No | Guardian's employer |
| Occupation | No | Guardian's occupation |
Secondary guardian (optional)
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Full name |
| Relationship | Relationship to applicant |
| Phone | Contact phone |
| Contact email |
Special needs and health
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Has special needs | Toggle if applicable |
| Special needs details | Description of needs |
| Requires accommodation | Accommodation needed |
| Accommodation requirements | Specific requirements |
| Medical conditions | Health conditions |
| Allergies | Known allergies |
| Medications | Current medications |
Program choices
Add one or more program choices with ranking:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Program | Selected admission program |
| Choice order | Preference ranking (1 = first choice) |
Step 3: Upload required documents
Navigate to the application's Documents tab
Common document types:
| Document | Description |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | Proof of age and identity |
| Previous school report | Academic records |
| Transfer letter | If transferring from another school |
| Medical records | Health information |
| Passport photo | Identification photo |
| Proof of residence | Address verification |
Document statuses:
| Status | Description |
|---|---|
pending | Awaiting upload |
uploaded | Document uploaded |
verified | Verified as authentic |
rejected | Document rejected |
Step 4: Submit the application
Once all required information is captured:
- Review all sections for completeness
- Click Submit Application
- Pipeline stage changes to
submitted - Application number is generated
Applications receive a unique reference number on submission, used for tracking and communication.
Step 5: Process through pipeline stages
Screening
- Navigate to Admissions -> Applications
- Filter by stage:
submitted - Open the application
- Review applicant information and documents
- Verify documents if required
- Update stage to next step:
awaiting_exam- Entrance exam requiredawaiting_interview- Interview requireddecision_pending- Ready for decisionrejected- Application rejected
Examinations (if applicable)
- Navigate to Admissions -> Evaluations
- Schedule and record examination results
- Update application with scores
- Move to
decision_pending
Step 6: Issue admission decision
Navigate to Admissions -> Decisions -> Create Decision
| Field | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Yes | Select the application |
| Decision type | Yes | Admit, Waitlist, Reject |
| Decision date | Yes | Date of decision |
| Conditions | No | Conditions for admission |
| Notes | No | Internal notes |
Decision types:
| Type | Effect |
|---|---|
| Admit | Approved for enrollment |
| Waitlist | Placed on waiting list |
| Reject | Application rejected |
Step 7: Generate and send offer
For admitted applicants:
- Navigate to Admissions -> Offers -> Create Offer
- Select the application
- Configure offer details:
- Program assignment
- Class/stream recommendation
- Fee information
- Acceptance deadline
- Generate offer letter
- Send to applicant
Offer statuses:
| Status | Description |
|---|---|
draft | Offer being prepared |
sent | Sent to applicant |
viewed | Applicant viewed offer |
accepted | Applicant accepted |
declined | Applicant declined |
expired | Acceptance deadline passed |
Step 8: Offer acceptance
When applicant accepts:
- Pipeline stage updates to
offer_accepted - System queues enrollment creation
- Acceptance record is created
Step 9: Create enrollment
Navigate to Admissions -> Enrollments
Enrollments can be created:
- Automatically from accepted offers
- Manually for direct admissions
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Application | Source application |
| Program | Enrolled program |
| Academic year | Enrollment year |
| Enrollment date | Date of enrollment |
| Conversion source | offer_accepted, direct_admit, waitlist_promoted |
Enrollment statuses:
| Status | Description |
|---|---|
pending | Awaiting processing |
student_created | Student record created |
class_assigned | Class division assigned |
completed | Enrollment finalized |
cancelled | Enrollment cancelled |
deferred | Deferred to future term |
Step 10: Assign class division
- Open the enrollment record
- Click Assign Class
- Select the appropriate class division
- Confirm assignment
For multiple enrollments, use the bulk assignment feature in the Enrollments list view.
Path 2: Direct admission
For students bypassing the full pipeline:
- Navigate to Admissions -> Enrollments -> Create Enrollment
- Select Direct admit as conversion source
- Enter student information directly
- Assign program and class division
- Complete enrollment
Path 3: Waitlist promotion
When space becomes available:
- Navigate to Admissions -> Decisions
- Filter by waitlist
- Select candidate for promotion
- Update decision to Admit
- Generate offer
- Follow acceptance and enrollment workflow
Application types
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
new | New student application |
transfer | Transfer from another school |
returning | Returning after leave |
readmission | Readmission after withdrawal |
Submission channels
Track how applications are received:
| Channel | Description |
|---|---|
online_portal | Submitted via online portal |
mobile_app | Submitted via mobile app |
in_person | Paper application submitted in person |
email | Submitted via email |
postal_mail | Submitted by post |
agent | Submitted through education agent |
Duplicate detection
The system flags potential duplicate applications based on:
- Name similarity
- Date of birth match
- National ID match
- Guardian information
When flagged:
- Review the duplicate warning
- Verify if truly duplicate
- Merge or dismiss as needed
Admissions analytics
Navigate to Admissions -> Dashboard for:
| Metric | Description |
|---|---|
| Funnel conversion | Stage-to-stage conversion rates |
| Program breakdown | Applications by program |
| Status distribution | Applications by status |
| Recent activity | Latest application updates |
| Cycle comparison | Year-over-year trends |
Common issues
Cannot create enrollment
Problem: Enrollment creation blocked
Causes:
- Offer not yet accepted
- Class divisions not configured
- Academic year not active
Solution: Ensure offer is accepted and required structures exist
Missing class divisions
Problem: Cannot assign class during enrollment
Solution: Create class divisions in Foundation -> Class Divisions before enrollment
Application stuck in stage
Problem: Cannot advance pipeline stage
Causes:
- Required documents not verified
- Missing evaluation scores
- Decision not recorded
Solution: Complete required actions for current stage
Duplicate application warning
Problem: System flags application as duplicate
Solution:
- Review flagged application
- Compare with existing records
- Merge if duplicate, dismiss if unique
Outcome
After completing the admissions workflow:
- Application tracked through complete pipeline
- Documents collected and verified
- Decision recorded and offer sent
- Enrollment created from accepted offer
- Student assigned to class division
- Student ready for academic operations
Related guides
- Add first student - Alternative enrollment methods
- Bulk import students - CSV import for existing students
- Create academic year and term - Academic structure setup
- Fee setup and invoicing - Billing new students