SlideRoom has just released a new form builder so that Administrators can build application forms. This interface features drag and drop and functionality to add questions, which also makes it easy to reorder questions later. Answer types include short text, long text, drop-downs, multiple choice and checkbox lists. The SlideRoom dev team has worked hard to display this powerful feature within a clean interface that is simple to use.
We are very excited to have just released the new Applicant Manager.
The SlideRoom team has been working all year to incorporate your feedback and implement new features that provide more power and flexibility. In addition to all the individual improvements, this release also represents a new foundation for future development.
The website has been updated with images and explanations of the new system, as well as added a YouTube Channel with a variety of video tutorials. While these videos are built into the system for your convenience, we also wanted to provide external access.
We launched the new system Tuesday night without 2 of the new features: The Form-builder and Letters of Reference. These will be added in the coming days. We just wanted to make sure that all of the pre-existing features translated perfectly before adding these very significant features on top.
We would love to hear your impressions. While we always love compliments, please let us know if you find any problems or if you have any suggestions for future enhancements. We look forward to hearing from you!
SlideRoom pricing is now more flexible. Please visit the new pricing page here to learn more about the details. As we have added features over the last 3 years, the system has grown from a simple portfolio manager to a complete applicant management system. Given all of these developments, our philosophy is that clients should be able to configure the system to meet their unique needs. While most organizations will choose to build their own plan, the “Portfolio Basic” and “Admissions Plus” are available as short-cuts to common configurations.
For some existing clients, the yearly renewal may reflect a price decrease; while other institutions using the new features may be see a small price increase. Please contact us if you would like to discuss any details related to pricing.
We are very proud to announce the NEW applicant manager is going to launch this Summer 2010. This release is a response to requests for every part of the application process to be online: Application Forms, Media, References and the Review/Administration of applicants. The new features and interface streamline various parts of the admissions process in one place. Some of the new features include: Email, References, a Form-Builder and a Search area that allows lists of applicants to be found/displayed according to your specific preferences.
(Note: the area where applicants apply is not changing during this release, only the administrative side is getting the update. Applicant portals are already fully equipped).
The NY Times has just written a feature article on Tufts University’s use of YouTube for general admissions. This article is particularly interesting because it reflects a growing trend of multi-media being used to assess merit in ALL fields, not just art. The article also wisely addresses some common concerns about the use of video. Here are some excepts:
Lee Coffin, the dean of undergraduate admissions, said the idea came to him last spring, when watching a YouTube video someone had sent him. “I thought, ‘If this kid applied to Tufts, I’d admit him in a minute, without anything else,’ ” Mr. Coffin said.
Even without prompting, admissions officials say, a growing number of students submit videos. Maria Laskaris, the dean of admissions at Dartmouth, noticed the trend last year, and said this year had brought even more videos.
The complete article also addresses issues about privacy and the admissions process in general. Tufts seems to like the openness of YouTube currently. At SlideRoom, we believe schools will ultimately want to have videos integrated with the rest of the admissions package (and this does not preclude a YouTube presence). Even though video will almost always be considered optional, it will become increasingly commonplace.
Many of the comments in the NY Times piece are negative, knocking the content of videos. However, I think these people are missing the point, which is the potential of video. While not many standards exist currently, the point is that video has the ability to convey “ability” very effectively. The challenge becomes how to ask for content that demonstrates skill, rather than just “look at me.”
While SlideRoom is mostly known for how it handles multi-media, application forms are also a large part of the application process. So I wanted to offer some tips on gathering data (that most data managers may already know).
Keep form sections separate: Breaking up long forms into easy sections will prevent applicants from “melting” away during the process. Further, each section is actually a separate form, meaning it can be reused for other programs. If you have a set of questions that are common to multiple programs, keep these separate from questions that are unique to a particular program. This has two management benefits.
On the front end, it becomes easier to reuse preexisting forms, rather than making a new form for each program.
On the back end, the spreadsheets of data will be more organized across programs. Different programs with the same questions can now share columns of data. If you create a new form for each program, columns cannot be shared.
Make the title of each for semi-descriptive: If all your forms are named “Questions,” but they contain different questions, it becomes hard to stay organized over time. Which brings me to my third point, do you really need slightly different sets of questions?
Consolidate data needs across programs: This is the single biggest thing you can do to make administration easier. Often two different programs ask slightly different questions. See if you can get these to be the same. Not only will you generate benefits as mentioned above, but another huge benefit opens: moving applicants. We all know that applicants often apply to the wrong program, and so you need to move them into the correct program. This is no problem if they have the same form. But if the two programs have different requirements, problem.
Offer preselected answer options: When you give applicants a drop down, check box, etc … it not only makes it easier for them, but it gives your admins consistent data to work with. This data ends up in spreadsheets anyway, so why not have consistent data for sortable columns.
Don’t ask for data you don’t really need: This sounds obvious, but keeping things short can become difficult when there are many separate demands. For example, don’t ask for letters of reference from everyone, when only finalists need them. Perhaps you only need contact information? Another example, don’t ask applicants to answer questions that another system has already gathered for you. This is the wrong solution for your lack of database integration.
Hopefully these tips are helpful. As we give clients more control over form creation/management this year, we hope to promote good data practices.
In 2009, we were completely focused on making the user-interface for applicants as simple & beautiful as possible. So, for 2010 we are shifting our focus to enhance the administrative & reviewer side of the system. This includes adding new features and making everything easier to use. Here is a short list of our broad goals:
Make it easier to create/edit/manage large numbers of programs
Add a form builder for admins to create their own forms!
Provide more viewing options for reviewers
Make the system more applicant-centric (rather than portfolio-centric)
Enhance reporting capabilities
Provide more control over different user roles
Enhance tools for evaluation
Add ability to generate unique lists of applicants for emailing
Add ability to collect letters of reference
Greater ability to configure settings/features in general
and more ….
In short, SlideRoom is growing from a portfolio management system into a more complete applicant tracking system. This will be useful as a comprehensive system for admissions, hiring, contests or any situation with an application & review process. This is going to be an exciting year!
SlideRoom provides a web-based applicant management system to gather & review application forms, media and more.
This blog is a discussion of our news and the growing role of technology in art, admissions, contests and more. If you have questions about our service or would like to contribute an opinion, contact us
