EdTech and Pancakes

DreamApply

EdTech and Pancakes, brought to you by DreamApply, is a podcast about paradigm shifts in education. Together with leading experts from around the world, we explore the ever-evolving landscape of EdTech. Whether you’re facing challenges in student enrollment or marketing, looking to get more done with less effort or just passionate about education, you’re in the right place. Dive deeper at https://www.dreamapply.com

  1. The technology of high-performing admissions | Pitfalls and possibilities for educational institutions | Lauri Elevant, DreamApply Co-Founder and CTO

    23 JAN.

    The technology of high-performing admissions | Pitfalls and possibilities for educational institutions | Lauri Elevant, DreamApply Co-Founder and CTO

    In this episode of EdTech & Pancakes, host Razmik Sargsyan speaks with Lauri Elevant, Chief Technical Officer and Co-founder of DreamApply. As DreamApply marks its 15th anniversary, they discuss the platform’s evolution and how it currently supports educational institutions with different needs: increasing qualified applicants, managing high-volume admissions and dealing with other marketing and student recruitment pain points.Drawing on DreamApply's experience with 300+ educational institutions in over 40 countries, Lauri shares practical principles and advice on the technology of admissions that the higher ed community can apply in 2026. The CTO also explains DreamApply’s careful approach to AI and how it manifests in DreamApply's new feature, the AI Highlighter. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩 1: 𝙈𝙤𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙣 𝙖𝙙𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 00:00 Lauri Elevant and 15 years of building admissions tech 01:03 The origin and evolution of DreamApply 03:30 DreamApply's applicant-focused approach 05:43 Sense of mission in the DreamApply team 06:49 "We can't fail them": deadlines and last-day submissions 09:04 Equality and access to education as motivation for team DreamApply 10:17 DreamApply's software and what problems it solves in 2026 10:51 2 kinds of educational institutions and their priorities 11:47 What all universities and DreamApply clients have in common 13:24 DreamApply's priority with new clients: help save time first, then streamline more 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩 2: 𝙄𝙣𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙨 16:41 3 layers to increasing qualified applicants 17:01 Layer 1: reduce the chance of losing high-value applicants 17:43 Layer 2: address the attention span of applicants 18:35 Remove friction for applicants and smoothen their ride 19:37 Layer 3: marketing tools and meaningful analytics 20:37 Cost and source per successful candidate, not clicks or vanity metrics 21:38 Integrating DreamApply with offline campaigns 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩 3: 𝙃𝙞𝙜𝙝-𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙢𝙚 𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 22:38 Saving time in high-volume and high-pressure contexts 23:17 Staying fair to applicants while automating workflows 24:14 The logic of objective ranking and scoring algorithms 25:44 The video interview solution 26:25 Keeping admissions teams in power and solving the quota problem 28:16 Hybrid approach: bulk vs. live admissions 29:17 Post-evaluation communication with different applicants 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩 4: 𝘾𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙙𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 30:48 Personalized solutions for different educational institutions 32:57 How DreamApply features are made with and for universities 35:38 Navigating the technological limitations of old systems 38:17 The role of setup managers in ensuring adoption success 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩 5: 𝘼𝙄 𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙠𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨, 𝘿𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝘼𝙥𝙥𝙡𝙮'𝙨 𝘼𝙄 𝙝𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙧 40:32 What's most misunderstood about admissions by the higher ed community ? 41:40 Lauri's concerns about premature use of AI in admissions: signal vs. noise 43:42 The risk of fraud and impertinence of motivation letters 46:22 Positive possibilities of AI in admissions with proper guardrails 48:00 DreamApply's new tool: the AI Highlighter 48:30 How the name "highlighter" carries DreamApply's AI philosophy 50:17 Putting "handcuffs" on AI for objectiveness and legal reasons 50:56 Multiple ways to increase accuracy 57:51 How to use AI as a force multiplier for smart teams 1:01:13 What the AI Highlighter makes it possible for DreamApply users? 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 1:07:38 What is Lauri most excited about in terms of DreamApply's journey in 2026 1:12:55 CTO's advice: choose stability over revolution 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗼 👉 https://www.dreamapply.com/?utm_source=Spotify&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcast #EdTech #Admissions #HigherEducation #StudentRecruitment #AI #DreamApply #AdmissionsManagement

    1 tim 17 min
  2. "Admissions can’t take months anymore” | A Dean’s Perspective | Swiss Business School | Dr. Bert Wolfs

    2025-11-21

    "Admissions can’t take months anymore” | A Dean’s Perspective | Swiss Business School | Dr. Bert Wolfs

    Admissions can’t take months anymore. Students expect clarity fast. In this episode of EdTech and Pancakes, Dr. Bert Wolfs, Academic Dean of SBS Swiss Business School, explains why traditional admissions timelines no longer match student expectations and how universities can adapt to stay competitive in a global market.We discuss the future of international higher education, the rise of “educational shopping,” shifting student behavior, AI readiness in universities, the role of data in enrollment decisions, and what an entrepreneurial mindset looks like inside admissions teams. This episode also touches on resilience, mental well-being, skill gaps, intrapreneurship, and other topics.SBS Swiss Business School is part of DreamApply’s global community of institutions optimizing their admissions workflows with DreamApply's software. Dr. Wolfs shares how SBS uses DreamApply not only to manage applications, but to understand where students struggle, improve communication, and make data-driven enrollment decisions. This conversation is relevant for admissions directors, international offices, enrollment managers, higher education strategists, EdTech professionals and enthusiasts who want practical insights into faster, clearer and more student-centered admissions. ⸻ About DreamApply Founded in 2011 in Estonia, DreamApply seeks to simplify the admissions process for educational institutions and millions of applicants globally.More than 300 educational institutions in more than 40 countries have benefited from DreamApply’s application management software to improve admissions and related processes. DreamApply’s easy-to-use and customizable software is known to increase international student enrollment by 50% and reduce application processing time by 40% on average. With features designed with and for educational institutions, and integrations with commonly used systems, DreamApply empowers teams to get more done with less effort. ⸻ Want a more efficient and student-friendly admissions strategy? 👉 Get a free Smart Admissions Plan: https://www.dreamapply.com/personalized-admissions-plan/ 🌍 Learn more about DreamApply: https://www.dreamapply.com 📆 Book a free demo: https://www.dreamapply.com/request-a-demo ⸻ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Bert Wolfs, Academic Dean of SBS 01:42 How did you move from corporate life into academia? 04:21 What defines SBS Swiss Business School and what makes it distinct? 06:27 How international higher education will evolve in the next decade 12:15 What universities should understand about AI and accuracy 14:39 Biggest mistakes in admissions management 17:01 Attraction vs conversion: where educational institutions lose applicants 21:13 What today’s applicants are really looking for 26:47 How AI and automation will influence graduate career paths 29:30 Intrapreneurship vs entrepreneurship for future talent 32:20 What an entrepreneurial mindset means for admissions and enrollment teams 33:55 The strategic importance of DreamApply for Swiss Business School 35:32 How to use DreamApply beyond application processing 38:01 Which parts of admissions will change most in the next 5 years 39:07 The role of technology in ensuring resilience for educational institutions 42:13 Principles for strategic automation 44:07 If you could impose one rule on higher education 45:00 Final advice: Dr. Wolfs recommends DreamApply #higered #admssions #switzerland #education #management #productivity #software #studentrecruitment #enrollment #studentenrollment #DreamApply #edtech #internationaleducation #podcast #tips

    46 min
  3. Success without stress | Principles for a modern admissions leader | Corvinus University

    2025-10-01

    Success without stress | Principles for a modern admissions leader | Corvinus University

    What does it take to succeed in international admissions while staying grounded? In this episode of EdTech & Pancakes, recorded at Corvinus University of Budapest, we speak with Viktória Kulman-Bundy, International Student Recruitment Executive, and Adriana Villalobos, International Admissions Executive. Together, we explore their personal journeys, how their roles complement each other, and what it really takes to attract the right students — while staying collaborative and purpose-driven in an evolving higher education landscape. They also reflect on the behind-the-scenes complexity of student recruitment and admissions, the importance of team dynamics, and how tools like DreamApply help simplify communication and streamline processes for both students and staff. If you work in student recruitment, international admissions, or higher education marketing, this episode is for you. Segments 00:00 Intro 00:30 Introduction to the podcast guests 02:06 From an international student to an international recruiter 03:38 What’s misunderstood about working in admissions 10:30 Why tools like DreamApply are essential for modern admissions teams 12:12 Why Hungary and Corvinus attract international students 15:03 How to boost efficiency and save time in admissions management 16:30 Prioritizing well-being as a productivity hack 18:27 Final tips for admissions and higher ed professionals 📌 Learn more about DreamApply, book a free demo, explore case studies, blogs, podcast episodes and more at https://www.dreamapply.com/ 💡 Want small changes that lead to big admissions results? Request a Smart Admissions Plan, a resource packed with actionable tips and insights tailored for busy admissions teams. https://www.dreamapply.com/smart-admissions-plan/ ⸻ #EdTech #HigherEducation #StudentRecruitment #AdmissionsStrategy #DreamApply #InternationalAdmissions #UniversityMarketing #AdmissionsLeadership #DigitalAdmissions #EdTechAndPancakes

    21 min
  4. DreamApply in Hungary | Insights from Szeged on smarter student recruitment and trust-building

    2025-05-26

    DreamApply in Hungary | Insights from Szeged on smarter student recruitment and trust-building

    Are you looking for a better way to manage your the admissions process at your educational institution? In this episode of EdTech and Pancakes, we sit down with Rita Csuri-Magosi and Emília Szörényi from the University of Szeged to uncover their practical strategies for: ✔️ Building trust in high-pressure admissions environments ✔️ Using tools like DreamApply to humanize and digitize workflows ✔️ Balancing automation with a personal touch ✔️ Avoiding common mistakes like low requirements, complex forms or unclear processes DreamApply is an admissions management platform tested by over 300 educational institutions in 40 countries. It enables educational institutions to automate application workflows, personalize applicant communication and convert more qualified applicants while delivering a transparent and user-friendly experience. 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲? Get a free, personalized admissions strategy tailored to your institution's goals and challenges. No fluff. No pressure. Just smart, actionable insights. 👉 Start here: https://www.dreamapply.com/personalized-admissions-plan/ 🌍 Learn more: https://www.dreamapply.com 📆 Book a free demo: https://www.dreamapply.com/request-a-demo 𝐓𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐬 00:00 Intro 00:18 Meet the guests: Rita and Emília from Szeged 02:50 Szeged's unique approach to admissions 04:14 Using tools to humanize the process 04:57 Navigating the pressure of decision-making 07:10 DreamApply as a holistic admissions tool 08:44 DreamApply's CRM functions 09:50 Optimizing the overall process of admissions 10:42 Raising application fees as a filter 11:42 Justifying fees & how DreamApply helps 12:45 Simplifying & future-proofing procedures 14:04 Mistake to avoid: asking too many questions 15:08 Mistake to avoid: setting low fees and requirements 17:24 Balancing automation with personalization 18:58 Chatbots and AI 19:47 Using DreamApply to sustain a personal touch 21:10 Tip: make things intuitive 22:34 Tip: digitize your process with DreamApply #AdmissionsSoftware #studentrecruitment #edtech #educationmarketing #DreamApply #StudentEnrollment #UniversityAdmissions #DigitalAdmissions #StudyInHungary #EdTechAndPancakes #UniversityOfSzeged #Hungary

    24 min
  5. How is Southeast Asia reshaping international student recruitment? Vietnam's vision for global education | Cuong Hoang

    2025-03-18

    How is Southeast Asia reshaping international student recruitment? Vietnam's vision for global education | Cuong Hoang

    In this episode of EdTech & Pancakes, we sit down with Cuong (Chris) Hoang, CEO of Saigon Business School (SBS), to explore Vietnam’s rise as a global study destination and the role of technology in modernizing admissions and international student recruitment. 𝐒𝐞𝐠𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 00:00 Taste of the episode 01:36 Introducing Cuong (Chris) Hoang, CEO of Saigon Business School 06:28 Less need for agents & the more need for stronger admissions systems 09:27 What makes Vietnam an attractive study destination 13:14 How Saigon Business School boosts internationalization 16:42 Top challenges of attracting international applicants to Southeast Asia 20:07 3 biggest mistakes universities in the region make in international student recruitment 24:27 The role of right tools and software 27:07 Why SBS decided to use DreamApply 29:58 What excites Cuong most about the future of SBS with DreamApply 31:21 What’s preventing Southeast Asian universities from digitising their systems faster 33:43 How DreamApply helps its clients maximise benefits 34:29 The role of automation in admissions 36:25 DreamApply's automations, GDPR & personalization 37:07 How to reduce incomplete applications 41:06 How DreamApply encourages applicants to take the next step 42:13 How to attract the right applicants 44:55 Concluding remarks Learn more about Saigon Business School at https://sbsedu.vn/ 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬? Learn about DreamApply's admissions management software, explore resources such as our podcast, case studies & blog and request a free demo. Join 300 educational institutions in 40 countries that enroll more students with less effort using DreamApply's award winning software. 👉 https://buff.ly/067Qfjx Request a free strategy booster for your educational institution👉 https://buff.ly/c2khELS 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 Founded in 2011 in Estonia, DreamApply is an innovation-driven EdTech organization that improves access to education around the globe. DreamApply’s application management software helps more than 300 educational institutions across 40 countries improve admissions, marketing, financial and other internal processes. DreamApply’s easy-to-use and customizable software increases student enrollment by 30% and reduces application processing time by 40%. With features designed with and for educational institutions, and integrations with commonly used systems, DreamApply empowers teams to get more done with less effort. #vietnam #studentrecruitment #software #southeastasia #edtech #highereducation #marketing #tips #podcast #education #admissionsmanagement #universitymarketing

    50 min
  6. Italian recipe for admissions success | Lessons from Pavia University's 1,000% growth | Daria Milone

    2025-02-10

    Italian recipe for admissions success | Lessons from Pavia University's 1,000% growth | Daria Milone

    How do you increase student applications by 1000% in just 5 years? In this episode of EdTech & Pancakes, we sit down with Daria Milone, Head of Admissions at the University of Pavia, to break down the strategy, execution and tools that made it possible. From strategy to execution, Daria reveals her Italian recipe for effective and compassionate student recruitment with particular focus on international student recruitment. 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐬 00:00 Taste of the episode 01:39 Introduction of the guest 02:32 How Daria got into student recruitment and the history of Pavia's admissions team 08:38 The pressure behind admissions decisions: careers & futures at stake 11:55 The most and least enjoyable parts of admissions management 15:32 Why anticipating needs is a key to improving international student enrollment 17:37 How universities should evaluate and make decisions on tools 18:28 Daria's impression of DreamApply's software 20:33 How Pavia used DreamApply to scale applications by 1000% 26:23 DreamApply as a tool for Italian universities & educational institutions (PagoPA integration and other unique aspects) 30:03 Tips for maximizing DreamApply's impact within and beyond admissions 32:34 The uniqueness of INTERNATIONAL student recruitment & what's misunderstood about it 33:47 Top mistakes to avoid in international student recruitment 35:42 What Gen Z & Gen Alpha expect from universities & how to adapt (e.g. more video + conciseness) 39:24 Trends that will influence admissions in 2025 & pros and cons of AI 42:55 DreamApply's video interview feature for mitigating AI-generated cover letters 43:47 Why international students should consider University of Pavia 46:12 "May the student in you live forever" 46:49 “Put yourself in the students’ shoes and make them feel home far away from home" 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 🌍 DreamApply Website: https://www.dreamapply.com/ 📚 Case Study: How Pavia Achieved 1,000% Growth → https://www.dreamapply.com/case-studies 🎙️ More Podcast Episodes: https://www.dreamapply.com/podcast 📈 Get a Personalized Admissions Strategy: https://www.dreamapply.com/personalized-admissions-plan #HigherEd #AdmissionsSuccess #InternationalRecruitment #EdTech #DreamApply #HolisticAdmissions

    48 min
  7. International student recruitment | How to make it productive and human-centered | Alberto Lazzari

    2024-09-10

    International student recruitment | How to make it productive and human-centered | Alberto Lazzari

    In this episode of EdTech and Pancakes, we dive deep into the art and science of international student recruitment with our special guest, Alberto Lazzari, Global Engagement Officer at the University of Padua, one of Europe’s oldest academic institutions. Alberto's team started using DreamApply in 2019 and within just 5 years, the University of Padua witnessed a 400% increase in incoming student applications. 𝗧𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 00:00 Taste of the episode 01:20 Alberto’s journey to working with student recruitment 03:35 How a background in sales influences Alberto’s approach 06:14 What’s misunderstood about international student recruitment 09:44 Challenges in modern student recruitment 11:16 Keeping an eye on student trends and influences 13:23 How Padua University uses DreamApply for insights 14:25 Using flags and trackers in DreamApply 15:48 Importance of personalization in student recruitment 17:13 How Alberto runs experiments for customizing the applicant journey 19:50 Requesting tailored solutions from DreamApply 21:07 Automating the process while maintaining authenticity 25:18 Mistakes to avoid when segmenting applicants 27:53 Benefits and pitfalls of using AI in recruitment 32:35 DreamApply tools that mitigate AI risks 33:53 Using DreamApply’s integration with Zapier 35:39 Integration of admissions and marketing teams 41:35 In-person recruitment events 43:19 The University of Padua overview 47:48 Italy as a study destination 50:35 Final tips for recruitment officers 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe to stay updated on our latest episodes. 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 Founded in 2011 in Estonia, DreamApply is an innovation-driven EdTech organization improving access to education around the globe. DreamApply's application management software helps more than 300 educational institutions across 40 countries improve admissions, marketing, scholarship management, and other internal processes. DreamApply’s easy-to-use and customizable software increases student enrollment by 30% and reduces application processing time by 40%. With features designed with and for educational institutions, and integrations with commonly used systems, DreamApply empowers teams to get more done with less effort. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟱𝟬% 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 👉 Book a free consultation of DreamApply's admissions management software today and start increasing applications to your university https://www.dreamapply.com/request-a-demo

    52 min
  8. Harnessing performance marketing: strategies for EdTech and beyond | Ara Harutyunyan

    2024-06-27

    Harnessing performance marketing: strategies for EdTech and beyond | Ara Harutyunyan

    Our guest on EdTech and Pancakes is Ara Harutyunyan, co-founder of Ardos Media, a global digital marketing agency specializing in paid search and analytics. Topics discussed 00:00 Taste of the episode 02:15 Ara Harutyunyan on his journey to performance marketing and co-founding Ardos Media 05:38 Understanding the essence and value of paid search 10:18 How paid search can benefit educational institutions 12:45 Leveraging YouTube for brand awareness 14:19 Using a CRM like DreamApply to get more out of paid search campaigns 15:27 How to understand search intent 17:31 Personalisation of ads and customer segmentation 20:30 What happens after a click 21:35 Leveraging data from paid search for market research and idea validation 24:43 Key metrics for managing paid search campaigns in higher education and beyond 28:02 AI and paid search: opportunities and challenges 35:19 Misconceptions and realities of starting a digital marketing agency 39:31 How a sports background prompts result-orientedness and focus on wellbeing 43:24 Final thoughts and word of advice to aspiring entrepreneurs About DreamApply Founded in 2011 in Estonia, DreamApply is an innovation-driven EdTech organization improving access to education around the globe. DreamApply's application management software helps more than 300 educational institutions across 40 countries to improve admissions, marketing, scholarship management and other internal processes. DreamApply’s easy-to-use and customizable software increases student enrollment by 30% and reduces application processing time by 40%. With features designed with and for educational institutions, and integrations with commonly used systems, DreamApply empowers teams to get more done with less effort. ⁠Book a free consultation to start optimizing your student enrollment. ⁠ #studentrecruitment #enrollment #admissions #online #educational #software #EdTech #universityadmissions #university #campus #management #technology #DreamApply #highered #marketing #universitymarketing #PR #ppc #seo #paidsearch

    48 min
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EdTech and Pancakes, brought to you by DreamApply, is a podcast about paradigm shifts in education. Together with leading experts from around the world, we explore the ever-evolving landscape of EdTech. Whether you’re facing challenges in student enrollment or marketing, looking to get more done with less effort or just passionate about education, you’re in the right place. Dive deeper at https://www.dreamapply.com

Information

  • Skapad av
    DreamApply
  • Aktiva år
    2024 - 2026
  • Avsnitt
    17
  • Åldersgräns
    Barnvänligt
  • Copyright
    © DreamApply
  • Programmets webbplats
    EdTech and Pancakes