In today’s digital-first world, connecting prospective students to each other—and to your institution—is no longer just a “nice to have.” It’s essential. Peer-to-peer interactions build trust, foster belonging, and turn curious applicants into current students.
But where should you host these interactions? With so many digital platforms out there, choosing the right one can make all the difference.
This article explores the best digital spaces to host prospective student communities, ranking the top platforms based on engagement potential, familiarity with Gen Z and Gen Alpha, community-building tools, and ease of use.
Table of Contents
- Why Create a Digital Prospect Community in the First Place?
- Discord – The Top Choice for Gen Z Student Communities
- ZeeMee – Purpose-Built for Student Connections
- Facebook Groups – Familiar but Fading
- Snapchat – Powerful for 1-to-1 Engagement
- Reddit – Transparent but Uncontrolled
- GroupMe & WhatsApp – Simple but Limited
- Choose Platforms Based on Student Behavior, Not Admin Convenience
Why Create a Digital Prospect Community in the First Place?
Before diving into the platforms, let’s quickly look at why these communities matter.
- Increases Yield: Students who connect with peers early on are more likely to enroll.
- Reduces Summer Melt: Students who form relationships before arriving on campus are more likely to stay committed to your school.
- Empowers Peer-to-Peer Influence: Conversations among students can build more trust than marketing campaigns.
- Gives You Data: Engagement patterns and popular discussion topics give insight into what matters to your future students.
Now, let’s explore the best platforms for building these communities.
1. Discord – Our Top Choice for Gen Z Student Communities
If there’s one platform dominating Gen Z’s digital life, it’s Discord. It has rapidly evolved into one of the most dynamic community-building platforms in the world.
Why It’s Ideal for Prospective Student Communities:
- Familiarity: Many students already use Discord for school clubs, games, or interest-based servers.
- Structure: Channels can be created for different programs, residence halls, countries, or hobbies.
- Customization: You can use bots to automate tasks, moderate discussions, and create a branded experience.
- Real-Time and Asynchronous: Prospects can chat in real time or post messages others can respond to later.
- Cross-Device: Seamlessly used on desktop and mobile.
Use Case Ideas:
- Set up channels by major, region, and interests.
- Host weekly live chats with current students or staff.
- Offer exclusive channels for international students.
- Bot to initiate conversations with fun questions and polls.
Downsides:
- May require setup and moderation training for your team.
- If unmanaged, it can get noisy—structure and clear guidelines are essential.
2. ZeeMee – Purpose-Built for Student Connections
ZeeMee is a platform built specifically for prospective student engagement and community building, making it a solid option for institutions focused solely on yield and melt reduction.
Why It Works:
- Tailored for Higher Ed: ZeeMee was designed for colleges and universities, so the platform is natively aligned with your goals.
- Mobile-First: Gen Z is mobile-centric, and ZeeMee delivers a sleek app experience.
- Topic-Based Groups: Easy to navigate categories help students find their tribe.
- Multimedia-Friendly: Students can share videos, photos, polls, and more.
Use Case Ideas:
- Create a private group for admitted students.
- Host live chats or Q&A sessions with ambassadors.
- Use polls and videos to spark engagement.
Downsides:
- Students must download an additional app they may not already use.
- Limited customization compared to open platforms like Discord.
3. Snapchat – Powerful for 1-to-1 Engagement
Snapchat isn’t the ideal space for managing an entire community, but it’s fantastic for peer-to-peer outreach and short-lived content.
Why It’s Worth Considering:
- Mass Adoption Among Gen Z: Many students check Snapchat daily.
- Authentic Content: Ambassadors can post Stories that give a real view of campus life.
- 1-to-1 Communication: Great for direct prospect-to-ambassador messaging.
Use Case Ideas:
- Give campus ambassadors a “day in the life” takeover.
- Showcase dorm tours, events, and more via Snap Stories.
Downsides:
- Not built for group or long-form conversation.
- Hard to moderate or control.
4. Facebook Groups – Familiar but Fading
Facebook was once the go-to platform for digital student communities. While it still has its uses, it’s losing traction with Gen Z.
Why It Might Still Work:
- Familiarity for Parents and Staff: Many parents still use Facebook, making it a good secondary space.
- Private & Moderated: Easy to manage private groups for accepted students.
- Simple Announcements: Great for pushing out updates.
Use Case Ideas:
- Parent groups for admitted students.
- Alumni panels or ambassador live events.
Downsides:
- Declining popularity with younger demographics.
- Limited customization or gamification.
5. Reddit – Transparent but Uncontrolled
Reddit hosts a variety of vibrant student communities, including unofficial ones for most colleges. Some schools try to harness this energy.
Why It Could Work:
- Trust and Transparency: Users feel free to ask hard questions.
- Longevity: Threads and topics stick around and are searchable.
Use Case Ideas:
- Participate in existing subreddits.
- Host AMAs (Ask Me Anything) with admissions staff.
Downsides:
- Difficult to moderate.
- Often unofficial and not controlled by your institution.
6. GroupMe & WhatsApp – Simple but Limited
GroupMe and WhatsApp are lightweight messaging platforms used for class cohorts or micro-communities.
Why They Might Be Useful:
- Low Barrier to Entry: Easy to set up and join.
- High Engagement: Great for tight-knit groups or regional meetups.
Downsides:
- Not scalable for entire applicant pools.
- Lacks community-building tools like threads, pinned messages, or bots.
Choose Platforms Based on Student Behavior, Not Admin Convenience
The best digital space for hosting a student community is the one your students are already comfortable with. While Facebook or email might feel easier for your staff to manage, Gen Z is deeply embedded in Discord, Snapchat, and similar platforms.
Before choosing a platform:
- Survey Your Students: Ask where they spend time online.
- Start Small: Pilot a single Discord server or ZeeMee group.
- Empower Ambassadors: Let students moderate and energize the space.
- Make It Social: Don’t just post info—foster friendships.
Digital communities are no longer a bonus—they’re a vital part of student recruitment, especially for international and out-of-state prospects. Get it right, and you’ll see stronger enrollment, higher engagement, and a student body that already feels like a family before they even step on campus.
Stay tuned for more insights into student ambassador management!
