Application reviewing is a key and necessary process that each program must do. The Graduate School and Hobsons are committed to making sure that this process is simple, organized, and efficient. Here are five updates to the AppReview system that takes some stress off.

1. Multiple head reviewers: The review process can be a stressful one, and you shouldn’t have to worry about bottlenecks. Allowing multiple head reviewers both eliminates slow-downs in the review process, while at the same time delivering additional flexibility in how you manage your review workflow.
2. Flexible bundle editing: We all do it. We send a text message, publish a blog, or share a photo…only to immediately realize you needed to update what you’ve just sent. AppReview bundles are no different, and you shouldn’t be punished for needing to edit once it’s published. Hobsons is working hard to enable AppReview bundles to be more flexible when you need to edit and change a live bundle during the review process.
3. AppReview insights: Data is quickly becoming king when it comes to decision-making, and admissions decisions are no exception. We want AppReview to deliver data to our coordinators and reviewers in a dynamic and visual way that will lead to more insightful decision making.
4. Improved communication during review: The application review process can be very complex at times, with many individuals involved over many days of review. Communication becomes critical. AppReview will soon support two-way communication between coordinators and reviewers directly within the AppReview interface.
5. Holistic review guidance: The Graduate Schools offers assistance/resources of on full review (holistic review).  It is important to understand what holistic review means and its best practices on campus.  There are already working models of this on campus. For information on getting started, programs can contact Anna De Cheke Qualls (adechek1@umd.edu). Once a holistic review process is in place, technology can be used to assist with its implementation.  The Graduate School works with programs to understand their holistic review software needs (such interview, digital portfolio, or multimedia profile), so that we offer solutions that are appropriate to effective and efficient review.