In enrollment management, one of the most common challenges isn’t a lack of data or technology—it’s knowing how to ask for the right thing. As an Slate user, If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “I know enough to be dangerous,” or “I don’t know what I don’t know,” you’re not alone.
Slate is an incredibly powerful platform, but getting the most out of it requires clarity in communication. The way you frame your request to your Slate captain can be the difference between a quick, effective solution and a frustrating back-and-forth. With a structured approach, you can maximize your results while saving valuable time.
While these examples are admissions-focused, the terminology is the same across the Slate lifecycle!
When You’re Sending Messages
If your goal is student outreach, you’re working in Slate’s Deliver module. To build an effective communication, your Slate captain will need a few key details upfront:
- Format – Is this an email or a text message?
- Content – Do you already have the copy, or will someone else be developing it?
- Audience – Who should receive the message?
- Segmentation – Should different audiences see different versions?
- Timing – When should the message be sent?
The most critical question is usually about the audience. Defining who receives the message requires a clear set of parameters, such as:
- Student type (first-year, transfer, graduate, etc.)
- Start term (current cycle vs. future terms)
- Application status (prospect, inquiry, applicant, admitted, enrolling)
From there, your Slate captain will layer in defaults like confirming the student has a valid email, is opted in, and isn’t a test record. Depending on the message, they may also apply more nuanced filters—for example, excluding students who already registered for an event or narrowing outreach by geographic region.
When You’re Requesting Student Information
Requests for student information typically fall into one of two categories:
- Big-picture insights: You want counts, summaries, or trends.
- Granular details: You want to drill down into individual student records.
This is where the distinction between Reports and Queries becomes critical.
- Queries provide student-level details. You can pull everything from basic identifiers (name, ID, email) to advanced engagement metrics (date of last interaction, decision history, number of portal logins). If it’s in your database, it can be queried.
- Reports deliver the aggregate perspective. They’re essential for tracking funnel stages, measuring year-over-year application volume, or analyzing trends in student behavior. Reports also power high-level insights like class profiles, average GPAs, and geographic distributions of inquiries.
Reports come with additional advantages: they can be scheduled to send as automated weekly PDFs (even to stakeholders without Slate access), embedded on dashboards, or displayed in portals with tabbed navigation.
Rule of thumb: If you’re asking “who,” you need a Query. If you’re asking “how many,” you need a Report.
Making Slate Work for You
Deliver, Queries, and Reports are not just technical features—they’re strategic tools. When used well, they help institutions communicate more effectively, make data-driven decisions, and ultimately support enrollment goals.
The key is clarity. The clearer you are about what you need, the faster your Slate captain can deliver a solution. In other words, learning to “speak Slate” is one of the most effective ways to strengthen your partnership with data and technology.
And if you’re ready to go beyond the basics—whether brainstorming new strategies, kicking off a complex build, or getting a tailored lesson in speaking Slate—we’re here to help.
Receive Slate Support from a Slate Platinum Partner
Whether you need implementation or optimization, a little support or an interim Slate Captain, The Parish Group is here to help.
As a Slate Platinum Partner, we offer the highest level of Slate consulting support. Coupled with our background in enrollment management and higher ed marketing, we know exactly how to leverage Slate for your higher ed needs.
Let us know how we can be of service. Reach out at success@parishgroup.com or call us at 828.505.3000.
