Grad studies applications go online

trevor.kenney — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:04:23 +0000

Calling the introduction of the online graduate studies application process a win-win scenario undersells just how many wins will be realized now that the new system has been launched.

Now available, the new online application system sees an end of a process whereby paper application forms, colour-coded by program, had been submitted for the past 30 years.

Initiated through the Recruitment and Retention Integrated Planning project, the online application system will not only be of significant improvement for students looking to enter graduate programs at the U of L, but it will greatly enhance the efficiency of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ staff and faculty who must accept and review the applications and supporting documents submitted.

"By bringing this from paper submissions to an electronic method, we expect it will cut anywhere from two to six weeks of turnaround time off the application process," says Alice Miller, team leader of the online graduate application review.

Applicants to the School of Graduate Studies (www.ulethbridge.ca/graduatestudies) will now be able to upload their supporting documents online, pay for their application fee online with a credit card, have letters of reference completed online by their referees and have their application packages reviewed online from anywhere in the world.

As well, supervisors of graduate students can submit their supporting application forms online, manual data entry will be significantly decreased for U of L staff and applicant activity can be tracked by staff throughout the admission process.

Additional cost savings will accumulate by moving away from paper forms, by reducing mailing expenses (international costs are extremely high) and by automating manual processes.

Miller says the increase in graduate student applications as a result of a move to an electronic application process could be substantial, and is a key driver behind the project. As the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ looks to further strengthen and grow its graduate programs, improving the conversion rate of applicants to registered graduate students can best be accomplished by making the application process as quick, easy and seamless as possible.

Following the launch of the online application system, training will be made available for faculty members who are involved in the graduate application and review processes.

The School of Graduate Studies currently offers programs in more than 60 disciplines for the following degrees:

Master of Arts (MA)
Master of Counselling (MC)
Master of Education (MEd)
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Master of Music (MMus)
Master of Science (MSc)
Master of Science in
Management (MSc (Mgt))
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

For more information, please contact Graduate Studies at sgs@uleth.ca or admissions@uleth.ca

This story first appeared in the June 2013 edition of the Legend. For a look at the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Online application system tests well

trevor.kenney — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:09:29 +0000

It's a one-stop application shop intended to streamline the process of applying to Alberta's post-secondary institutions and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is at the forefront of its implementation.

By the fall of 2009, all public post-secondary institutions in Alberta will be using ApplyAlberta – an innovative, made-in-Alberta online application and transcript transfer system.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge recently welcomed a group of high school students and some family members from three local high schools to participate in the ApplyAlberta pilot – and the system passed with flying colours.

"On average, it took students approximately 20 minutes to enter their personal information, select the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge as their institution of choice, complete that portion of the application, pay their application fee and submit the application electronically for processing," says Debi Sandul, the U of L's Associate Registrar and project leader for the ApplyAlberta system on the U of L campus.

ApplyAlberta is a new secure online application and transcript transfer system that has been developed by Alberta's public post-secondary institutions in partnership with the Government of Alberta.

Through ApplyAlberta, students will be able to apply to multiple public post-secondary institutions and authorize the transfer of their Alberta high school and post-secondary transcripts between participating institutions.

"After they had completed this process, students and parents were invited to share in their experiences. One parent indicated that it was 'so slick' he wanted to apply too! Another student indicated that the online process was very easy to follow, especially the U of L section," says Sandul.

Sandul added that the first person in the province to apply using the new ApplyAlberta system is a future U of L student.

Leslie Lavers, Associate Vice-President (Students) and Registrar, was pleased by the turnout and sees the value in having students apply using the new system.

"The test worked, and provided us with feedback that we can use when the final system is released later this year."

The ApplyAlberta concept was important enough that the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge provided substantial resources in the way of people, time and effort to see the pilot through to completion, according to Dr. Andy Hakin, the U of L's Vice-President, Academic.

"We are very excited to see the potential for students across Alberta – and beyond – to apply to the Alberta Post-Secondary System."

It is anticipated that the U of L will fully implement ApplyAlberta later this spring, with other institutions joining over the summer. By fall 2009, applicants to all public universities, colleges and technical institutions will be using ApplyAlberta. It is estimated that the number of applications through the new system will account for more than 100,000 students annually.

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Grad studies applications go online

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