1. 2014 Graduate Application and GRADS Enhancements
Lori Anne Stania
Lori Cottrill

2. Major Changes Include
Centralization of the receipt of official transcripts
Elimination of paper decision sheets through automation
Implementation of online acceptance for applicants offered admission

3. Major Changes Include
“Transcript Required” indicator in GRADS for certificates
Application redesign – accessibility & usability

4. Why? Graduate program offices requested change
Program staff no longer need to process official transcripts saving time/reducing workload
Improve efficiency of admission process

5. Why?
Application experience for prospective students more transparent and often less costly
Saves every applicant from requesting/paying for official transcripts until acceptance
Common at other Big 10 institutions

6. Transcript Centralization
Applicants must upload a copy of his/her official transcript at time of application
Upon program offer acceptance - applicants will be directed to submit official transcripts to appropriate admissions staff (GES, GV, CL)
Centralized transcript receipt and upload to GRADS

7. Program Offer- Decision Sheet
All the same information will be collected in an online form
GES and CL/GV admission offices will not process decision until applicant indicates acceptance

8. Online Acceptance by Applicant
When program offers admission (GRPOF) applicant will receive notification to check Status Page
Applicant will accept or decline at Status Page
Upon acceptance, status page will update, providing information indicating where transcripts should be sent and due date

9. Official Transcript Deadlines
If degree has already been conferred – 4 weeks from acceptance
If degree is yet to be conferred – 6 weeks from conferral (will use last day of month reported)
If we expect original document will need to be brought in person (certain international degrees) – by end of second week of admit semester

10. Applicant Status in GRADS
GRPOF - Program staff will be required to indicate program offer status
GRPRM – Will no longer be actively used as only accepted applicants will be reviewed. Will be used for Resumes and Change of Majors
GRACP – Central admission staff (GES/CL/GV) will utilize this status in place of GRPRM
GRWAP – Automatically assigned, if applicant declines program offer from the status page

11. Deferrals
Recommend that applicant’s status is changed in GRADS to GRINC by the program staff (level 2 user)
Update information to appropriate semester
GRPOF
Applicant will need to accept new semester offer

12. Program Offer Declined
If applicant declines program offer, status automatically changes to GRWAP
We’ve recommended a new status after new student information system (LionPATH) is implemented

13. Other Status Changes
Programs will still need to refuse, cancel, and make other status changes, as in the past.
Programs are encouraged to cancel/rescind offers that never receive an accept/decline from the applicant, at an appropriate time for their program.
The Graduate School has not, at this time, scheduled a clean up of these accounts.

14. When?
GRADS changes will be in place by 8 AM on Monday, November 10th 2014
Changes to the application will be implemented during a downtime beginning at 9AM on Monday, November 10th 2014
In-progress applicants will be ed at this time with instructions to revisit the Education section
GRADS will be down from 7-8 AM on 11/10
Application expected to be back up by noon

15. Certificates
Program offices will have the ability to indicate in GRADS whether or not the transcript is required
If yes, applicant will upload transcript at time of application
Remainder of certificate processing remains the same

16. Non-degree
No change
Transcripts will not be required for non-degree application

17. Application Semester/Year
Limiting how far out an applicant can apply
Current semester plus 3 additional future semesters
Programs can still define semester choices (FA/SP/SU) – one, two or all three

18. Demonstration New application Education section GRADS transcript view
GRADS automated decision sheet
Applicant Status Page
GRADS Certificate checkbox

19. Transcript Upload on Education Section of Application

20. GRADS Automated Decision Sheet

21. GRADS Transcript View and Upload

22. Require Certificate Transcripts

23. Status Page Automated Accept/Decline

24. Status Page Transcript Section

25. Thank you