Admissions Manager & Principal Designated School Official (PDSO)

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary

The Admissions Manager leads admissions operations and serves as the Principal Designated School Official (PDSO), ensuring timely and accurate student processing and compliance with institutional, state, and federal requirements, including SEVIS regulations for international students. This hands-on leadership role involves personally processing applications, issuing Forms I-20, preparing enrollment agreements, maintaining accurate student records, and improving admissions workflows to ensure efficiency and audit readiness.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the PDSO and oversee SEVIS compliance, including accurate Form I-20 issuance and timely processing of enrollments, transfers, deferrals, and terminations.
• Review domestic and international applications, evaluate credentials and English proficiency, and issue admission decisions within required timelines.
• Collect transcripts, process transfer credit evaluations, and communicate with international recruitment partners.
• Prepare enrollment agreements and maintain accurate admissions decisions, student records, and enrollment data in student information systems.
• Conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with accreditation, regulatory, and federal requirements.
• Communicate admissions processes and decisions to applicants and students.
• Lead student orientations covering immigration requirements and academic expectations.
• Collaborate with the Registrar, Student Success, Academic Affairs, Recruitment, Finance, and other departments to support student enrollment and onboarding.
• Maintain and improve standard operating procedures, admissions workflows, and technology tools.
• Track admissions metrics, identify recurring errors or delays, and recommend improvements to conversion and retention.
• Protect student privacy and ensure compliance with FERPA, university policies, and data-security requirements.
• Support institutional, accreditation, and audit reporting requests.

Required Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency, as required for the PDSO role.
• Bachelor's degree.
• At least 3 years of relevant higher education experience, including admissions.
• At least 3 years of experience serving as a PDSO at an SEVP-certified institution; DSO-only experience does not meet this requirement.
• Strong knowledge of F-1 regulations, SEVIS, SEVP policies, and Form I-20 issuance.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365, student information systems, and CRM platforms.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities independently within strict deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience preparing and maintaining Form I-17.
• Completion of NAFSA training or equivalent professional development.
• Experience improving admissions processes in a fast-paced environment.
• International experience and strong cultural competency.