The Psychology of Progress Bars: A Simple Trick to Increase Application Submissions

Every admissions team faces the same frustrating challenge: students start applications but never finish them.

It’s not that they aren’t interested. It’s not even that they don’t have the time. More often than not, students abandon applications because they feel overwhelmed—like they’ll never get through it all.

But what if a tiny design tweak—something as simple as a progress bar—could be the key to keeping students engaged and moving forward?

The Science Behind Progress Bars: Why They Work

Progress bars aren’t just a nice-to-have design feature. They tap into behavioral psychology in ways that make completing an application feel more manageable—and even motivating.

Here’s why:

📌 The Endowed Progress Effect: People are more likely to complete a task when they feel like they’ve already made progress—even if that progress is small. (Think: loyalty cards that already have one stamp when you get them.)

📌 The Goal-Gradient Hypothesis: The closer people get to finishing something, the more motivated they become to complete it. (Ever notice how you walk faster at the end of a race? Same concept.)

What this means for applications: If students can see their progress in real time, they’re less likely to feel stuck—and more likely to push through to completion.

How Colleges Can Use Progress Bars Effectively

Adding a progress bar isn’t just about slapping a loading bar at the top of the page. The way it’s designed and implemented matters.

Here’s how to do it right:

1️⃣ Start With a Partially Filled Progress Bar

If students open their application and see 0% completed, it can feel discouraging. But if they see 5-10% already filled in (just for starting the process), they feel like they’re already making progress.

💡 Example: Pre-fill progress based on basic info they’ve already submitted, like their name and email from an inquiry form.

2️⃣ Use Milestones to Celebrate Small Wins

Breaking down the application into clear, bite-sized milestones can make it feel more manageable.

Instead of a generic progress bar, try section-based markers:

✅ 25% completed: "Great! You’ve finished the personal info section!"

✅ 50% completed: "You're halfway there! Keep going!"

✅ 75% completed: "Almost done! Just a few more steps!"

This gives students positive reinforcement at key moments, preventing them from feeling stuck.

3️⃣ Add Visual Cues for Momentum

Subtle animations can make progress feel more tangible. Even small touches, like a checkmark appearing when a section is completed, reinforce a sense of accomplishment.

Ever used Asana, the project management software? They zoom unicorns, narwhals, otters and other celebration creatures across your screen when you complete tasks. And they aren't a gimmick—they're a UX feature that has been cited by users as boosting productivity and morale. (Noori, 2022)

Some schools have even added “Confetti” moments when an application reaches 100%. 🎉 It’s a small but powerful way to make students feel the achievement of finishing.

4️⃣ Provide Real-Time Support at Sticking Points

A well-designed progress bar doesn’t just track completion—it helps identify where students drop off so admissions teams can intervene.

📊 If most students stall at 40% completion, what’s happening there?

• Is it the essay? Provide writing tips or a template.

• Is it the financial section? Offer a chatbot for quick FAFSA help.

• Is it recommendation letters? Send a reminder with an easy request tool.

By tracking where students get stuck, colleges can proactively remove roadblocks and improve completion rates even further.

Why This Works (And Why It Matters)

A progress bar is one of the simplest fixes colleges can implement—but its impact can be huge.

✅ Reduces application drop-off – Students are more likely to finish when they see their progress.

✅ Makes applications feel achievable – Instead of an overwhelming form, it becomes a series of small, doable steps.

✅ Improves applicant experience – Less stress, more motivation, and a smoother process overall.

And here’s the key takeaway: Design matters. A well-thought-out user experience isn’t just about aesthetics—it directly affects enrollment numbers.

Final Thoughts

If a progress bar can keep students engaged on e-commerce sites, fitness apps, and language-learning platforms, why wouldn’t we use it in college applications?

It’s simple, backed by research and easy to implement.

So the real question isn’t “Should we add a progress bar?”—it’s “Why haven’t we done this yet?”