Enrollment Marketing Guide

2026

ENROLLMENT MARKETING

At Western Kentucky University, recruitment isn’t just the work of one office—it's a shared effort that lives in every corner of our campus. Whether you teach in a classroom, advise a student organization, meet families on a campus tour, or simply show what it means to be a Hilltopper in your daily interactions, you play an essential role in helping future students find their place on the Hill.

This recruitment guide was created as a resource for our entire campus community. Our goal is to make sure every faculty and staff member has the information, tools, and context needed to support prospective students and help them begin their climb. When we all understand how the recruitment pipeline works, we are better equipped to serve students and strengthen WKU’s future.

As you connect with high-schoolers, community members, visitors, or even your own networks, we ask for your partnership in getting students into our recruitment pipeline. By submitting prospective student information at wku.edu/learnmore, you help us create a record for the student, ensure they receive timely communication, and start them on their journey to becoming a Hilltopper. Even one referral can make a difference.

Thank you for the work you do every day, for the pride you bring to WKU, and for the impact you have on the next generation of Hilltoppers. Together, we can continue to share the WKU experience with students who will thrive on this Hill.

Go Tops,

Morgan Gossett Director of Enrollment Marketing & CRM Solutions

TABLE OF

03

Application Process Quick Reference

04

Getting Started

05

Understanding the Application Portal

07

After Admission: The Enrollment Checklist

09

Orientation Registration

11

Housing Application

13

TOPDollar Application

14

Accept Your Scholarships

15

Register for M.A.S.T.E.R. plan

APPLICATION

PROCESS QUICK REFERENCE Application Homepage: wku.edu/apply

Alternative Application Source: Common App Application Fee: $50 Required Documents: An official high school transcript is required for all incoming first-time, first-year students. Test scores (ACT or SAT) is required for incoming first-time, first-year students with less than a 2.5 unweighted high school GPA.

3.

GETTING STARTED Homescreen for wku.edu/apply Current applicants or returning students should login. *If a student has applied to WKU before, such as for Dual Credit, they can login to their existing application account and simply begin a new application.

Students who have never applied to WKU should create a new application account.

After applying, a student can also visit this site to login to their application status portal and check the status of their application.

Students who apply via the Common App should still visit this page to view their Application Status Portal and keep tabs on their application progress.

We encourage all students to become familiar with this portal after applying as this is where we will provide them with additional application checklist items and enrollment process next steps.

*This will simply have Common App submitters to set/reset their WKU account password. **This link also works for any student who has an account but forgot their password -- even those who did not apply via the Common App.

4.

UNDERSTANDING THE

APPLICATION STATUS PORTAL The Application Status Portal is designed to give students clarity and confidence throughout the enrollment process. Instead of guessing what comes next, students can log in at any time to see exactly where they stand and what steps remain.

This portal updates in real time and reflects the most accurate information available for each student.

5.

What this means for YOU! You don't have to memorize every step and send students to mult different places. Instead, this portal guides students based on the unique path.

QUICK REFERENCE Where students need to go: apply.wku.edu/status/portal Alternative Application Source: Common App Why does it matter: The Application Status Portal is the one-stop shop for everything related to the enrollment process for students. This portal is unique for every student based on their enrollment progress. From the application status portal, students can: • Review a list of missing application checklist items • Find their application decision when it's available • Download their official admission letter • View their WKU ID number and Toppermail Address • Apply to the Honors College • Change their entry term, major, or site code • Review and complete their enrollment next steps including orientation registration, housing application, TOPDollar application, scholarship acceptance, and more. *Pro Tip: If you are assisting a student and you don't know where they are in the enrollment process, ask them to log into their Application Status Portal.

tiple eir

6.

AFTER ADMISSION

THE ENROLLMENT

CHECKLIST Enrollment is not a single decision—it’s a series of small commitments made over time. Students may complete checklist items weeks or even months apart, and that’s okay. We've created an easy to follow enrollment checklist for students in their application portal so they can stay on track at their own pace.

7.

From the application status portal, all admitted first-year students have an enrollment checklist. The checklist includes the following steps: • Register for Orientation • Apply for Housing • Complete the TOPDollar Application • Accept Scholarships • Complete the Honors College Enrollment Form • Register for M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan Checklist items will be marked off in realtime as a student completes each task.

Note Not all students have the same checklist. Items appear only when they apply to a student’s situation.

8.

ORIENTATION

REGISTRATION Orientation is a key enrollment milestone, not just a formality. We consider orientation registration the "official form of commitment" to WKU for incoming students. Orientation helps students feel prepared, connected, and confident before the semester begins.

Orientation registration typically opens in November-December every year for students interested in enrolling the following fall semester.

9.

To register for orientation, a student should log into their application status portal at apply.wku.edu/status/portal and select "Register for Orientation" from their enrollment checklist. This will then direct the student to their orientation portal where they can select an available orientation date from the calendar.

Once a student selects a date, they will confirm their information and add guest information on the registration form and then conclude with paying the orientation fee. Their orientation registration is not locked in until the fee has been submitted. *Students do not need to have every detail of their college plan finalized to register for orientation, but orientation dates are determined by academic college, so it is important that a student confirm their major before registering. If a student decides to change majors after an orientation date has been booked, they should confirm that their new major is still available to attend orientation on that date by emailing top@wku.edu.

10.

HOUSING

APPLICATION Applying for housing doesn't lock a student in, but it does ensure they keep their options open. Applying early gives students the greatest flexibility when it comes to housing options, roommate selection, and hall placement.

To apply for housing, students should visit their application status portal at apply.wku.edu/status/portal and select "Apply for Housing" from their enrollment checklist. This will open the preliminary housing application form. This form includes general information about living preferences before asking the student to sign the housing contract and submit their housing fee. For students who are under 18 at the time of application, the student will be asked for additional parent/guardian information and a copy of the contract will be sent to them as well.

After completion of the housing application through this form, they will receive additional information from HRL directly regarding roommate selection, hall selection, etc. Housing staff will guide students through next steps after the initial application is submitted—students are not expected to navigate the process alone.

11.

12.

TOPDOLLAR

$

APPLICATION

$

TOPDollar is not just a scholarship application—it’s a way for students to be matched with opportunities they may not even know exist. In addition to the scholarships that are awarded by the University based on academic merit, there are numerous scholarship that are awarded by the College Heights Foundation. Students do not need to know which scholarships they qualify for before applying. The WKU TOPDollar Scholarship application allows students to search for various opportunities that exist and complete one general application to be eligible to be considered for scholarship opportunities at WKU.

Completing the TOPDollar application: 1. Visit application status portal at apply.wku.edu/status/portal 2. Select "Complete the TOPDollar Application."

3. Click "Apply Now" 4. Click "Sign In" from the top right corner 5. Click "Sign In With Your Institution" 6. Students should log in using their WKU credentials

Even students who believe they “won’t qualify” are encouraged to complete TOPDollar—many awards consider factors beyond GPA. *Note: If a student is unsure of their WKU Credentials, send them to wku.edu/its/accounts/manage to look them up.

13.

ACCEPT YOUR

SCHOLARSHIPS Accepting a Scholarship at WKU does not create any financial obligation for a student, but it does ensure that the accepted scholarship funds are reserved for the student should they choose to attend. The deadline to accept scholarships is May 1 of each year. Scholarships not accepted by May 1 may be released and offered to other students.

How to Accept Scholarships: 1. Go to TopNet.wku.edu or click the link from the Enrollment Checklist 2. Enter WKU Email Address and Password 3. Select the Financial Aid tab, then select Financial Aid Self Service 4. Select Offer from the horizontal menu 5. Be sure the desired aid year is listed in the upper right drop-down menu 5. Under the Take Action column, choose the response (accept, decline, or modify) 6. Click the Submit button 7. A green confirmation box will appear in the top right corner confirming submission

14.

REGISTER FOR M.A.S.T.E.R. PLAN M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan is WKU's five-day transition program for all new undergraduate students and is designed to help students smoothly transition to their new life as a Hilltopper. All new, full-time undergraduate students are eligible to participate in M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan which allows them early move-in opportunities, entrance to special events, and additional first-year programming.

15.

To register for M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan, a student should visit their application status portal at apply.wku.edu/status/portal and click "Register for M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan" From there, the students will need to sign the participation contract, provide their t-shirt size, and submit their registration fee.

Participation in M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan is optional, but highly encouraged to assist students with a smooth transition.

16.

AT WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

17.

Y,

Recruitment doesn’t end when a student submits an application—and it doesn’t belong to one office alone. Every conversation, interaction, and moment of encouragement helps shape a student’s decision to take their next step toward becoming a Hilltopper.

From the first introduction to the final enrollment checklist item, students rely on clarity, consistency, and support. When faculty and staff across campus understand the enrollment process and feel confident guiding students to the right resources, we reduce uncertainty and create momentum.

You do not need to have all the answers. Often, the most impactful thing you can do is: • Encourage a student to stay engaged • Reassure them that questions are normal • Direct them to the Application Status Portal as their starting point When students know where to go and what to expect, they are more likely to follow through.

THE ONE THING TO REMEMBER If you are ever unsure where a student is in the enrollment process, ask them to log in to their Application Status Portal.

That single step gives students: • A clear view of their progress • Personalized next steps • Confidence in what comes next And it gives you confidence that the information they see is accurate and up to date.

Thank you for the role you play in helping future Hilltoppers find their place on the Hill. Together, we ensure that students don’t just apply to WKU, but they feel supported every step of the way as they climb to greater heights.

18.

Enrollment Marketing & CRM Solutions @2026