Closed DEBDEEP-BANERJ2E closed 1 month ago
DEBDEEP-BANERJ2E
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1 month ago DEBDEEP-BANERJ2E
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1 month ago ### Research Legal and Compliance Requirements
DEBDEEP-BANERJ2E
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1 month ago Disadvantage-Their process is quite a lengthy and inconvenient one. They request for a demo from users by asking their info and then contact them to provide personalised support. But it's not for users who just wanted to see how the process works! Complexity in Customization: While offering many features, LeadSquared can be difficult to customize to specific institutional needs, especially for smaller organizations with limited IT support. High Cost: The platform’s comprehensive nature makes it expensive for smaller universities or colleges with limited budgets(LeadSquared). Steep Learning Curve: Its interface can be overwhelming for new users, requiring significant time for staff to adapt and become proficient.
Disadvantages- Though better than LeadSquad, it's not much welcoming to the users who have just come to see things work and not strictly with definite admission motives. Limited Features for Smaller Institutions: While it works well for larger institutions, smaller educational institutions may find that some features are overkill or under-utilized. Slower Support Response: Some users have reported slower response times from the support team, especially during crucial admission periods(TrustRadius). Non-intuitive Interface: The user experience may feel outdated, requiring more effort for staff training and efficient use.
Disadvantages- Expensive Implementation: Slate is a highly robust system, but with a price point that can be prohibitive for smaller institutions or universities without a large admissions budget(TrustRadius).
Complex for Small Colleges: Smaller colleges may not need its entire feature set, making it less cost-effective.
Customization Requires Expertise: The customization options require significant technical expertise, which could pose a challenge for institutions with limited IT resources.
Disadvantages- Difficult to Integrate: PowerSchool is known for being difficult to integrate with third-party systems, potentially leading to compatibility issues if your institution uses other software for different functions(TrustRadius).
Support Issues: There are some complaints about customer service and how quickly support queries are resolved, particularly during peak enrollment seasons.
Interface Issues: The user interface, while functional, is not as modern or easy to use compared to some competitors.
Disadvantages- Steep Pricing: Ellucian’s CRM, like many enterprise solutions, is quite expensive, which may deter smaller universities and colleges(TrustRadius).
Customization Limitations: While it provides a broad set of features, some institutions find the platform difficult to customize according to their specific needs(TrustRadius).
Slow Implementation Process: The onboarding and implementation process can be time-consuming, which can be problematic if institutions need a fast solution.
DEBDEEP-BANERJ2E
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1 month ago Though the above platforms effectively provide solution to users in the market, it's neither commonly used nor preferred by people, thereby reducing their value. Moreover, since the process involves more human intervention than modern day automation solutions, it may prove to be detrimental in their growth in the long run.
Some platforms below mentioned are rather more popular among users with high traffic but still they still have their pros and cons-
1. Shiksha
Pros: Comprehensive college listings with detailed information on admissions, placements, and reviews. Extensive user-generated content with real reviews from students. Offers a helpful question-answer forum where users can directly interact with college representatives.
Cons: The user interface can feel cluttered due to the high volume of content. Reliance on user reviews may sometimes lead to inconsistency in data quality.
2. Collegedunia
Pros: Clean and easy-to-navigate interface. Provides comparison tools and detailed statistics about colleges, courses, and exams. Extensive coverage of entrance exams and detailed admission processes.
Cons: The site’s heavy reliance on ads and promotional content can sometimes overwhelm the browsing experience. Information on lesser-known institutions may not be as detailed.
3. Careers360
Pros: Widely regarded for its thorough college comparison tool, which includes placement, fees, and other crucial metrics. Strong focus on exam preparation and rankings based on transparent data. Features in-depth articles on various educational fields and professional advice.
Cons: User experience may be hindered by too many categories, making it difficult to quickly find relevant information. Some users have reported outdated information regarding lesser-known colleges(Careers360)(GetMyUni).
4. CollegeVine
Pros: Personalized guidance for students based on their profiles, including GPA and extracurriculars. Offers college admissions chances based on statistical analysis. Focus on U.S. colleges makes it a go-to for international students targeting U.S. education.
Cons: Limited focus on universities outside the U.S. Some users may find its college recommendation algorithm too generic or too heavily based on numerical data.
5. GetMyUni
Pros: Comprehensive range of colleges, exams, and courses in India. Allows students to compare colleges based on a wide range of criteria like fee structure, courses, and infrastructure. Features user-generated content, including college reviews and Q&A sections.
Cons: Similar to Collegedunia, heavy advertisement placement can disrupt the user experience. Lesser-known institutions might not have as much in-depth information(GetMyUni).
6. admissions.collegecompare.co.in
Pros: Easy-to-use comparison tool for Indian colleges, offering a quick way to gauge various aspects of institutions. Provides information on placements, reviews, and infrastructure.
Cons: Limited scope of colleges compared to bigger platforms like Shiksha or Collegedunia. Not as comprehensive in exam-related data and insights.
7. EntranceZone
Pros: Covers a broad range of entrance exams across India, offering detailed guides and resources. Focuses on the latest updates on educational policies and exam schedules.
Cons: The site may not have as detailed college-specific information or comparison tools as larger competitors. Some users have found the design less modern or user-friendly compared to others.
8. CollegeCompare
Pros: Simplified comparison tools for colleges, allowing users to easily differentiate based on key metrics. Highlights placement and admission statistics clearly.
Cons: Limited to certain regions and may not cover all institutions comprehensively. Its layout and design are less visually appealing compared to major competitors.
9. Niche
Pros: Known for its detailed, student-driven reviews of universities in the U.S. Strong user engagement, with ratings on a wide variety of factors, including dorms, academics, and campus life. Great for students seeking firsthand experiences.
Cons: Focused solely on U.S. universities, making it irrelevant for those looking for Indian institutions. User-generated content can sometimes lead to skewed or biased reviews.
DEBDEEP-BANERJ2E
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1 month ago Even though all the above colleges have their advantages and disadvantages, there is no proper solution with all the benefits across the Internet. The less popular ones provide personalized guidance along with dashboard and everything for smooth admission but they are not beginner-friendly nor have a low guidance fee. The more popular ones are beginner-friendly and provide personalised guidance with a low guidance fee but not with all facilities like dashboard, deadline trackers, etc. Furthermore, they maybe be more inclined to promoting a sponsored college in their guidance thereby reducing the options for a better college for users who are new to this.
Thus, our software will touch the painpoints of the above platforms and remove all of them in our solution.
DEBDEEP-BANERJ2E
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1 month ago 1. Prospective Students
Demographics: High school graduates or undergraduate students looking to apply for a course.
Needs: Easy navigation to search for universities and courses. Clear and detailed admission guidelines. Application tracking and status updates. Financial aid and scholarship information.
Behavior: Heavy mobile usage, searching for opportunities globally, requires easy access to deadlines, eligibility criteria, and application requirements.
2. Parents/Guardians
Demographics: Adults helping their children with the admission process.
Needs: Overview of university reputation, course fees, and financial support options. Clarity on the admission process, documents required, and deadlines. Access to queries like accommodation, safety, and placement prospects.
Behavior: Often needs comparative tools to analyze options, usually focused on financial aspects and reputation.
3. University Admission Officers
Demographics: University administrators managing incoming student applications.
Needs: Intuitive dashboard for managing multiple applications, eligibility checks, and document verification. Tools for communicating with applicants. Analytics for tracking application flow and handling bulk processing of admissions.
Behavior: Prefers detailed back-end features like report generation, applicant tracking, and document management.
4. Transfer Students
Demographics: Students currently enrolled at other institutions seeking to transfer.
Needs: Information on transfer credit policies and requirements. Access to previous coursework evaluation. Clarity on deadlines and transfer-specific procedures.
Behavior: Often requires detailed support for complex, university-specific transfer policies.
5. International Students
Demographics: Students from outside the country looking to enroll in local institutions.
Needs: Information on visa procedures, international scholarships, and language requirements. Currency conversion and cost of living estimates. Details on accommodation, travel, and international student support services.
Behavior: Frequently accesses the site from abroad, looking for detailed information about visa applications, cultural support, and language requirements.
6. School Counselors/Educators
Demographics: High school counselors assisting students with their applications.
Needs: Easy access to information for multiple students. Tools to recommend universities and courses based on student profiles. Simplified ways to monitor deadlines and assist students in submitting documents.
Behavior: Often acts as a facilitator, seeking transparency and efficiency in the application process.
7. Alumni/Current Students
Demographics: Past or current students looking to provide mentorship or guidance to applicants.
Needs: Access to alumni programs and mentorship tools. Channels to offer support, share their experiences, and answer questions.
Behavior: Typically engages sporadically, looking to provide insights, reviews, and participate in Q&A sessions.
8. Third-Party Agencies
Demographics: Educational consultants and third-party agents helping students with admissions.
Needs: Bulk application tools for multiple clients. Regular updates on admission status for multiple applicants. Direct communication tools with universities for clarifications.
Behavior: Often submits applications on behalf of students and works across various universities and countries.
9. Government/Scholarship Organizations
Demographics: Organizations that provide grants or scholarships for students.
Needs: Integration with the system to verify scholarship applicants. Access to performance data of admitted students. A streamlined process for sharing financial aid offers.
Behavior: Limited but crucial interactions during specific points in the admission cycle.
DEBDEEP-BANERJ2E
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1 month ago 1. Comprehensive Search and Filtering Feature: Advanced search filters for courses, universities, locations, fees, scholarships, rankings, and student reviews. Solves: Some platforms lack deep filtering options, making it hard to find specific courses or universities. Pro Example: Like Careers360, but with enhanced search criteria for both local and international students.
2. Real-Time Application Tracking Feature: Live updates on application progress (submission, review, interview, decision). Solves: Platforms like CollegeVine only offer general status updates. Real-time tracking offers more transparency. Pro Example: Similar to GetMyUni’s application status updates but with more detailed tracking at each stage.
3. AI-Powered Personalized Course Suggestions Feature: An AI-driven recommendation engine that suggests universities and courses based on a student's academic profile, location, preferences, and career goals. Solves: Overwhelming options with no personalized assistance, as seen on platforms like Shiksha. Pro Example: Expands on CollegeCompare's comparison feature but powered by machine learning to predict better matches.
4. Virtual Campus Tours Feature: Interactive 3D campus tours with videos from current students, faculty, and alumni. Solves: Lack of in-depth insight into campus life on platforms like Niche and CollegeVine. Pro Example: Adds immersive experiences beyond simple videos, with integration of VR elements.
5. Centralized Document Management and Submission Feature: A central platform where students can securely upload documents (transcripts, certificates) and track the review process. Solves: Issues with manual submission and scattered documentation seen on most platforms. Pro Example: Improves on CollegeDunia and Shiksha, which don’t offer a unified submission process.
6. One-Click Multi-University Application Feature: Single application form that can be used to apply to multiple universities simultaneously. Solves: The repetitive application process across various platforms. Pro Example: Similar to Common App functionality, making it easier to apply to multiple institutions with one form.
7. Integrated Scholarship and Financial Aid Matching Feature: Real-time scholarship matching and financial aid eligibility check based on student profile. Solves: Lack of integrated financial aid information, an issue on platforms like GetMyUni and Shiksha. Pro Example: Expands EntranceZone's basic financial aid offerings with personalized suggestions.
8. Admission Calendar and Notifications Feature: A built-in calendar that tracks important deadlines for applications, interviews, entrance exams, and scholarship submissions, with push notifications and email reminders. Solves: Keeping track of various deadlines, which platforms like Niche and Shiksha don’t address sufficiently. Pro Example: Expands on Careers360's admission alerts but makes them more user-friendly and customizable.
9. Student and Parent Forums Feature: Interactive forums for prospective students and parents to ask questions, share experiences, and get advice from current students and alumni. Solves: Lack of real-time support and peer advice that isn’t fully offered by CollegeVine and Shiksha. Pro Example: Combines GetMyUni’s review system with a more community-oriented approach.
10. University/Institution Dashboard Feature: For university admin officers, a dashboard to manage applications, filter candidates, and communicate directly with students. Solves: Inefficient application management from the university’s end, which some platforms like Shiksha struggle with. Pro Example: A more refined version of the admin features offered by CollegeDunia and GetMyUni.
11. International Student Support Feature: Dedicated sections with visa guidelines, housing assistance, language preparation tools, and cultural acclimatization resources. Solves: Gaps in information for international students, seen on platforms like Shiksha and Careers360. Pro Example: Integrates CollegeDunia's international resources, with more depth and support.
12. Mobile-First and Responsive Design Feature: Fully optimized mobile experience with an app that allows students to complete the entire admission process on their phone, including document submission, payments, and application status tracking. Solves: Poor mobile responsiveness of some platforms like EntranceZone. Pro Example: Similar to Niche's mobile-friendly platform, but with more robust application management features.
13. Alumni and Career Network Integration Feature: Link applicants to alumni networks, job boards, and career mentorship opportunities. Solves: Lack of connection with career prospects and alumni guidance seen on most platforms. Pro Example: Builds on CollegeVine’s mentorship program but with more integrated career services.
14. Multi-Language Support Feature: Multi-language support for international and non-native English speakers. Solves: Barriers for non-English-speaking applicants, especially on platforms like Shiksha and Careers360. Pro Example: Provides better access for a global audience, enhancing Niche’s inclusivity.
15. Fee Payment Gateway and Financial Planning Tools Feature: Integrated payment gateway for application fees and tuition deposits, with financial planning tools to calculate expenses. Solves: The absence of built-in fee management, as seen on CollegeVine and Shiksha. Pro Example: Incorporates financial tools like Niche’s affordability calculator but with integrated payment options.
16. Career Path Exploration Tools Feature: Tools that help students explore career outcomes based on their chosen courses, with real-life statistics on placements and salaries. Solves: Lack of career insights in platforms like Shiksha. Pro Example: Extends CollegeCompare's comparison features to include career path and salary data.
17. AI-Powered Chatbot for 24/7 Assistance Feature: Implement an AI-driven chatbot that provides instant responses to queries, guides students through the application process, answers questions about courses, deadlines, scholarship availability, and admission requirements. Why it’s important: Many platforms like Shiksha and Careers360 don't provide real-time support, and students often have to wait for human representatives. An AI chatbot reduces wait times and enhances user experience. Extra Benefit: It can also handle common FAQs and escalate complex queries to human support agents if necessary.
18. AI-Based Fraud Detection and Verification Feature: AI-driven document verification to prevent fraud by checking for manipulated or forged documents. This feature can also verify identity using government-issued IDs and automatically flag suspicious activity. Why it’s important: In an online admission system, verification is crucial. Fraud detection can prevent fake applications, ensuring the integrity of the admissions process. Extra Benefit: Platforms like CollegeDunia don’t have built-in verification features, making this a critical addition.
19. Integrated Exam Scheduling and Prep Tools Feature: Allow students to schedule entrance exams and provide built-in preparation tools such as practice tests, video lessons, and mock exams. Partner with third-party preparation resources (like Coursera, Udemy). Why it’s important: Entrance exams are a major part of the admission process. This feature would consolidate the exam preparation and application process into one platform, addressing the missing prep resources found in platforms like Shiksha and GetMyUni. Extra Benefit: Offering direct preparation tools will improve engagement and help students succeed in the admissions process.
20. Collaboration and Peer Study Groups Feature: A dedicated feature for creating or joining peer study groups and collaboration networks where students with similar career interests or university goals can connect and work together. Why it’s important: This promotes a sense of community and peer support, which is absent in most platforms like Niche and Careers360. Extra Benefit: It can also lead to improved knowledge sharing, creating a more enriching application experience by offering group activities, shared resources, and collaborative learning.
DEBDEEP-BANERJ2E
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1 month ago With this I am officially closing the Planning and Research stage
Identify Key Stakeholders
1)University Admins (who manage the system) 2)Students (applicants) 3)Admission Officers 4)Faculty Members 5)IT Department (for tech support)
So, there will be 3 types of login- 1)Applicants, 2)Admission Officers, 3)Admin(Tech Support)