Top 12 Admissions Coordinator Skills to Put on Your Resume
In the scramble of college and university admissions, an admissions coordinator has to be nimble, precise, and unflappable. You wrangle applications, move information across teams, keep conversations warm, and make decisions that shape a class. The skills below—technical and human—signal you can do all that with clarity and calm under pressure.
Admissions Coordinator Skills
- Salesforce
- PeopleSoft
- Interpersonal
- Organizational
- Multitasking
- Data Analysis
- CRM Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Scheduling
- Communication
- Problem-Solving
- Banner (Ellucian)
1. Salesforce
Salesforce is a cloud CRM used to track inquiries, manage applications, coordinate outreach, and surface insights. For admissions, it centralizes every touchpoint—email, events, forms—so applicants never fall through the cracks and teams see the same truth.
Why It's Important
It shortens response times, standardizes workflows, and powers data-backed decisions, improving applicant experience while keeping the team in sync.
How to Improve Salesforce Skills
Automate with Flow: Replace manual steps with Flows and, where helpful, Flow Orchestrator. Retire old Process Builder logic and consolidate rules to reduce conflicts.
Admissions-Ready Data Model: Use Education Data Architecture or Education Cloud objects. Add custom fields, validation rules, and record types so data is clean at entry.
Nurture at Scale: Build journeys with Marketing Cloud or Account Engagement (formerly Pardot). Segment by program, stage, and engagement signals.
Dashboards that drive action: Create role-based dashboards with clear funnel metrics—response time, conversion by source, yield by segment.
Applicant Portal: Stand up an Experience Cloud site so applicants upload documents, track status, and message staff securely.
Data Hygiene: Enable duplicate rules, matching rules, and scheduled de-dupe runs. Standardize picklists and naming.
Permissioning and Adoption: Use permission sets, sharing rules, and in-app guidance. Offer short, scenario-based training sessions.
Integrations: Connect forms, testing services, and SIS to reduce rekeying. Log all data movement for auditability.
Iterate in sandboxes, test with real scenarios, and document every change.
How to Display Salesforce Skills on Your Resume
2. PeopleSoft
PeopleSoft (Campus Solutions) manages student records end-to-end—applications, admissions decisions, and enrollment details. It’s the backbone many institutions rely on for accuracy and compliance.
Why It's Important
It unifies applicant data, standardizes processing, and provides approvals and audits, reducing errors and speeding decisions.
How to Improve PeopleSoft Skills
Work in the Flow: Use Fluid UI, WorkCenters, and Activity Guides to streamline common admissions tasks.
Automate Routine Jobs: Configure Process Scheduler for batch runs and timed communications. Lean on Approval Workflow Engine where reviews stack up.
Self-Service First: Enable applicant self-service for status checks, uploads, and decision viewing to cut inbound volume.
Reliable Integrations: Coordinate with IT on Integration Broker and component interfaces so data moves cleanly between systems.
Reporting that reveals bottlenecks: Build queries and deliver BI Publisher reports for volume, turnaround, and yield by segment.
Continuous Training: Keep release notes close. Run quick refreshers when pages or processes change.
How to Display PeopleSoft Skills on Your Resume
3. Interpersonal
Interpersonal skills are how you listen, respond, and build trust with students, families, counselors, and colleagues. Calm voice, clear boundaries, warm follow-through.
Why It's Important
Applicants remember how you made them feel. Strong rapport increases completion rates, improves yield, and keeps the team resilient in busy seasons.
How to Improve Interpersonal Skills
Active listening: Mirror key points, confirm next steps, and pause before responding.
Empathize without overpromising: Acknowledge concerns, then offer precise, realistic options.
Plain language: Replace jargon with simple, student-friendly explanations.
Conflict de-escalation: Lower the temperature—slow voice, narrow the issue, propose a small first step.
Cultural awareness: Adapt tone and examples; avoid assumptions; invite preferences.
Follow-up rituals: Summarize calls in writing; confirm deadlines; set reminders.
How to Display Interpersonal Skills on Your Resume
4. Organizational
Organization means funneling chaos into order: triaging tasks, tracking documents, aligning calendars, and maintaining clean records so decisions move swiftly.
Why It's Important
Without it, delays mount and trust erodes. With it, you hit deadlines, keep stakeholders aligned, and avoid costly rework.
How to Improve Organizational Skills
Standard operating procedures: Document intake, review, and decision steps. Keep them short and visible.
Shared taxonomy: Define statuses, tags, and naming conventions to make search and reporting effortless.
Calendar discipline: Time-block high-focus work, add buffers around peak periods, and batch similar tasks.
Checklists everywhere: Application completeness, interview prep, audit reviews—reduce misses.
Centralize files: One source of truth with version control and permissions.
Weekly review: Reprioritize, clear stale items, and reset expectations before the rush.
How to Display Organizational Skills on Your Resume
5. Multitasking
On any given day: emails, calls, tours, files, last-minute changes. Multitasking is less juggling and more switching with intent.
Why It's Important
It keeps response times tight and the pipeline moving, especially during deadline surges.
How to Improve Multitasking Skills
Batch work: Group similar tasks to reduce context switching.
Time blocks and WIP limits: Cap simultaneous tasks; protect deep-work windows.
Simple prioritization: Urgent vs. important—decide once, act many times.
Quick-capture inbox: Record requests instantly; triage later.
Reduce interruptions: Tame notifications; set office hours for drop-ins.
Delegate with clarity: Define outcomes, deadline, and owner. Confirm handoff in writing.
How to Display Multitasking Skills on Your Resume
6. Data Analysis
Data analysis turns raw numbers into choices. Trend lines, conversion rates, yield by program—evidence that guides recruiting and resources.
Why It's Important
It shows what’s working, what’s not, and where to pivot. Better targeting, better yield, fewer surprises.
How to Improve Data Analysis Skills
Start with a question: Define the decision you need to make, then design the metric.
Standardize definitions: Agree on “inquiry,” “app started,” “app complete,” “admit,” “enroll.” No ambiguity.
Excel power tools: PivotTables, Power Query, and dynamic arrays to clean and summarize quickly.
Visuals with purpose: Dashboards that highlight funnel leaks, cycle times, and source quality.
Cohorts and segments: Compare outcomes by term, program, geography, aid, or modality.
Data quality loop: Validate inputs, audit outliers, and fix root causes at the form or integration level.
Privacy first: Respect FERPA and institutional policies; restrict access appropriately.
How to Display Data Analysis Skills on Your Resume
7. CRM Software
CRM tools manage relationships at scale—capturing interactions, triggering outreach, and mapping the applicant journey from first click to enrolled.
Why It's Important
Centralized data means faster follow-up, consistent messaging, and measurable pipelines.
How to Improve CRM Software Skills
Integrate the stack: Forms, events, email, SMS, SIS—connect them. One record, many touchpoints.
Automate what repeats: Confirmation emails, deadline nudges, task creation—hands off, eyes on.
Segment deeply: Program interest, timing, geography, engagement. Targeted messages outperform blasts.
Define SLAs: Response time goals for new inquiries and key stages. Monitor and coach to them.
Mobile-ready: Ensure staff can review, call, and update on the go.
Governance and security: Role-based access, audit logs, backups, and clear data retention rules.
Onboarding and refreshers: Short, scenario-based training keeps adoption high and errors low.
How to Display CRM Software Skills on Your Resume
8. Microsoft Excel
Excel is the everyday engine for lists, checks, and quick analysis—especially when systems don’t talk as nicely as they should.
Why It's Important
It bridges gaps, validates data, and produces clear snapshots for meetings and decisions.
How to Improve Microsoft Excel Skills
Dynamic arrays: FILTER, UNIQUE, SORT for fast, flexible ranges.
Modern lookups: XLOOKUP beats VLOOKUP—more robust, less brittle.
Power Query: Clean and combine messy data; refresh in one click.
Pivot mastery: Summarize applications, turnaround, and yield by any dimension.
Power Pivot: Model multiple tables; create measures for complex KPIs.
Visual cues: Conditional formatting and sparklines to surface trends at a glance.
Protect and collaborate: Coauthoring, sheet protection, and version history to prevent mishaps.
How to Display Microsoft Excel Skills on Your Resume
9. Scheduling
Scheduling covers interviews, tours, counselor appointments, committee meetings, and the orchestration needed to keep them all on time.
Why It's Important
Good scheduling respects everyone’s time, reduces no-shows, and keeps momentum through the funnel.
How to Improve Scheduling Skills
Clear rules: Define appointment types, durations, lead times, and buffers. Consistency beats guesswork.
Fair distribution: Use round-robin or load balancing to spread appointments across staff.
Fewer clicks: Offer self-scheduling with confirmations, reminders, and easy rescheduling.
Time-zone smart: Display local times; send reminders that account for location.
No-show protocol: Automatic follow-up, waitlists, and quick rebooking options.
Resource calendars: Reserve rooms and equipment to avoid cross-booking.
How to Display Scheduling Skills on Your Resume
10. Communication
Communication in admissions is clarity under pressure: timely updates, accurate answers, and a tone that invites applicants to take the next step.
Why It's Important
It reduces confusion, builds credibility, and moves applications toward completion.
How to Improve Communication Skills
Active listening: Paraphrase, ask a precise follow-up, confirm the plan.
Concise writing: Short sentences, concrete verbs, prominent deadlines.
Templates with heart: Personalize intros and calls-to-action; keep core info standardized.
Omnichannel rhythm: Coordinate email, text, and calls; avoid over-messaging.
Accessibility: Use readable fonts, clear structure, and alt text where needed.
Language support: Provide translations and culturally appropriate examples when possible.
How to Display Communication Skills on Your Resume
11. Problem-Solving
Problem-solving is how you untangle bottlenecks, soothe pain points, and streamline the path from inquiry to enroll.
Why It's Important
Admissions cycles are time-bound. Fixing issues quickly protects deadlines and applicant trust.
How to Improve Problem-Solving Skills
Define it tightly: State the gap, the impact, and the desired outcome.
Root cause first: Use the 5 Whys or a quick cause-and-effect map before leaping to fixes.
Map the process: Visualize steps, owners, and wait times; circle the friction points.
Test small: Pilot a change with a subset; measure before-and-after.
Decide with criteria: Set success measures upfront; pick the option that best meets them.
Close the loop: Document, share the learning, and update SOPs.
How to Display Problem-Solving Skills on Your Resume
12. Banner (Ellucian)
Banner is an ERP built for higher education. It ties together admissions, records, financial aid, and more—giving teams consistent data and repeatable processes.
Why It's Important
With Banner, applications move through a clear workflow, decisions are tracked, and reporting is dependable.
How to Improve Banner (Ellucian) Skills
Use Banner 9 effectively: Embrace the modern UI, shortcuts, and search to speed navigation.
Workflow wins: Configure Banner Workflow to route files, trigger communications, and enforce approvals.
Self-service upgrades: Enable applicants to view status and upload materials without staff intervention.
Data you can trust: Leverage ODS and analytics to monitor funnel health, turnaround times, and yield by segment.
Integrate via Ethos: Connect forms, CRM, testing services, and SIS modules with consistent data rules.
Partner with IT: Schedule updates, test patches in lower environments, and maintain clear release notes.
How to Display Banner (Ellucian) Skills on Your Resume
