How can international schools attract NRI and expat parents?
Expat and returning NRI parents research schools online before they move, often from abroad. Rank for curriculum and city searches such as IB or IGCSE schools in your city…
How many enquiries does it take to get one admission?
Quick answer
It varies widely by school, fees and follow-up quality, but many schools need somewhere between five and twenty enquiries for each confirmed admission. The ratio improves sharply with same-day follow-up, campus visits and clear fee information. Track your own funnel — enquiries, visits, applications and admissions — to find your real number.
Why the ratio varies
- Fee level: premium schools often see more comparison shopping.
- Enquiry source: referrals convert better than broad social media ads.
- Follow-up speed: same-day responses dramatically improve visits.
- Campus experience: well-run tours convert more visitors.
- Season: peak months bring more serious parents.
The admissions funnel
- Enquiries.
- Contacted enquiries.
- Campus visits.
- Applications or assessments.
- Confirmed admissions.
Measuring each step shows exactly where families drop off.
How to improve the ratio
- Respond within an hour and invite a campus visit on the first call.
- Share fees or fee ranges early to filter unsuitable enquiries.
- Ask the child’s class in forms to target the right segment.
- Make campus visits personal and informative.
- Follow up after visits with application deadlines and testimonials.
Use the ratio to plan
If you need 50 admissions and your enquiry-to-admission ratio is 1 in 10, you need roughly 500 enquiries. Your cost per enquiry then tells you the budget. Improving the ratio is often cheaper than buying more enquiries.
Compare by source
Calculate the ratio separately for Google, Meta, referrals and walk-ins to see which channels deliver families who actually enrol.
| Stage | What improves it |
|---|---|
| Enquiries | Targeted ads, referrals |
| Contacted | Response within an hour |
| Campus visits | Specific slots offered |
| Admissions | Great tours, clear fees, follow-up |
Key takeaways
- Many schools need five to twenty enquiries per admission.
- Fast follow-up and campus visits improve the ratio.
- Improving the ratio is often cheaper than more enquiries.
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