There are 44 repetitions in recruiting, processing, and handling of applications. There are many different application deadlines as determined by each department. Because many departments have a modest-sized graduate program, their graduate program assistants frequently have other duties, leaving no one truly dedicated to the graduate admissions process. Most departments report little or no recruiting of graduate students. Departments and Admissions duplicate data entry.
Few departments appear to have a standard system for responding to email inquiries.
Email is now the most common form of inquiry in almost all departments. Because of the chancellor's interest in increasing the enrollments of graduate students, the questionnaires to the assistants and directors asked about ideal size of each department's graduate program and potential for growth, as well as number of inquiries, applications, admits, and yield. Improving our ability to respond to potential applicants and improving and speeding up our process would enhance our ability to attract new graduate students. However, there are other factors that influence graduate enrollments. In some departments, a poor job market for those with graduate degrees keeps students from applying, E.G., English, French, History, Philosophy.