THE GRADUATE SCHOOL
Office of the Dean
2125 Lee Building
College Park, Maryland 20742-5121
301.405.0358 TEL 301.314.9305 FAX
September 23, 2014
Dear Colleagues,
I am pleased to announce that the Graduate School has fully implemented the new campuswide graduate admissions and review system. This implementation follows two plus years of
consultation with graduate programs, discussion within the Graduate Council and Graduate
School, planning, development, and training for campus users. Hobsons’
ApplyYourself/AppReview now officially replaces MEGS.
ApplyYourself/AppReview went live in May 2014 for Spring 2015 admissions and in August
2014 for the current admissions season for Fall 2015 enrollments. The more limited May launch
provided the opportunity to study and review the application and the corresponding graduate
admissions process live and in detail. Our goal is to offer an admissions process and system that
provides our graduate programs with a competitive edge and our 23,000 annual graduate
applicants with a clear, transparent, and equitable process.
Some highlights in the change from MEGS to ApplyYourself/AppReview include:
1. Creation of a single application across the campus (ApplyYourself).
a. One application: The applicant now completes one application to both the
Graduate School and the individual program. Programs can choose to collect their
data on a PDF, for simple information gathering, or on a dynamic page, for more
complex data collecting, sorting, and analysis.
b. Earlier time to decision: Each applicant is required to submit all of his/her
materials, such as copies of transcripts, at the time of application. This provides
programs with earlier access to an applicant’s entire record and expedites the
program’s admissions recommendation to the Graduate School.
c. Document authentication: The Graduate School also is providing TurnItIn for
Admissions to programs. This application verifies uploaded admissions
documents.
2. Implementation of a unified online application review package (AppReview).
a. Improved security: Program directors/coordinators access the system via
Shibboleth, the University’s protected single-sign-on portal.
b. Availability of workflow: Individual faculty reviewers can easily create and
manage a customized review process for assessing applications on specific
criteria.
c. Integrated decision submission: Departmental recommendations are recorded in
Appreview. This application immediately sends the application to the Graduate
School for final review and decision. This was a two-step process in MEGS and SIS.
3. Separation of the Graduate School’s academic admission decision from the visa/immigration
process.
a. Improved service to programs: The Graduate School now will review
international applications only for academic eligibility and English proficiency.
Once the applicant is admitted, ISSS will notify the applicant to complete the
paperwork for appropriate documentation for study at the University of
Maryland.
b. Support of newly enrolled students: The new system enables the Graduate
School to communicate with and serve admitted students more efficiently and
effectively, easing their transition to the University.
4. Implementation of a customer relations manager (CRM), called Connect.
a. Tool for program recruitment: Programs recruit students using their preferred
policies and practices. Connect facilitates these recruitment efforts through its
communications, events, and reporting modules.
b. Online inquiry forms: Each college and school will have the ability to implement
an online inquiry form to improve and manage communication with its
prospective students.
The Graduate School’s goal is to provide excellent service to its programs. We believe
that the selection and implementation of a new admissions system furthers that goal. This
would not have been possible without the invaluable support, input, and enthusiasm of the
campus’s faculty and staff members. We welcome your continued feedback as the new
admissions system enters its first full year of use.
Regards,
Charles Caramello
Associate Provost for Academic Affairs
Dean of The Graduate School