Overview
A prestigious public university in Southern California with professional programs in the arts, which receives over 3,000 undergraduate applications each season, found that managing applicant supplemental submissions had become increasingly complex. The institution needed a more efficient way to handle high volumes of creative portfolios and multimedia files. After years of using a custom- built system, the school turned to Liaison SlideRoom to streamline its process and enhance applicant, evaluation, and administrative experiences across the board.
The Challenge
Overcoming Technological Shortcomings
Before adopting SlideRoom, program managers relied on a homegrown admissions system built over the course of a decade. Although it was tailored to the school’s needs, the system had become difficult to maintain and lacked the flexibility to support the wide variety of media submissions required for visual and performing arts majors. According to the Director of Enrollment Management, the system “just couldn’t keep up with the growing complexity and volume of applications.”
The university’s software also placed a heavy burden on the full-time IT staff members who developed, built, and maintained the system from the start. During application season, enrollment and IT professionals spent hours each day troubleshooting technical issues and fielding support emails from applicants. With the institution’s unique admissions process—requiring portfolios, auditions, and creative supplements—the system became increasingly cumbersome, leaving the admissions team struggling to manage the application review process.
The Solution
Finding the Perfect Fit With SlideRoom
Faced with these challenges, school leaders evaluated several portfolio and application review platforms before selecting SlideRoom. The decision came down to functionality, cost-effectiveness, and ease of use. As the Director of Enrollment Management explained, “We needed a platform that could handle all multimedia files, help admissions process an overwhelming number of applications quickly, and keep costs as low as possible for applicants. SlideRoom was the best value for us.”
SlideRoom was particularly appealing due to its established reputation in the higher education space and its integration with the Common App, which made it familiar to both applicants and faculty. The implementation process was smooth, and even faculty who were initially apprehensive about the new system quickly adapted.
"SlideRoom made our application review process a lot easier, streamlining everything from creating rounds to managing visibility for evaluators. I work alone, so eliminating daily tech support tasks saved me hours and allowed me to focus on strategic priorities.”
The Outcome
Transforming the Process With Efficient Results
Since implementing SlideRoom, the school has seen a significant improvement in its admissions process. The platform’s multimedia management capabilities have eliminated the need for students to format submissions in specific ways, reducing confusion and hassles for applicants. “Now, applicants can simply upload their materials, and SlideRoom takes care of the specifics,” one team member said. Faculty reviewers have also benefited from SlideRoom’s collaborative tools, which streamline the evaluation process. The ability to create and distribute rubrics, as well as share feedback within the platform, has improved both efficiency and transparency.
The school was also able to maximize the time spent on application review, even as the number of applications continues to grow. “The management of the sheer quantity of applications is critical, especially when we’re working with tight timeframes,” one enrollment team member noted. SlideRoom’s efficient administrative capabilities now allow the university to manage multiple review rounds for its most competitive programs, with some individual majors receiving over 1,000 applications every year. SlideRoom’s API integration also ensures the secure handling of applicant data throughout the process.
One of the biggest impacts has been the elimination of technical support issues, which has saved significant time during application season. As the Director of Enrollment Management said, “It’s freed me up to focus on more strategic work with our departments.” This operational efficiency has allowed her to delegate more tasks to advisors, further improving productivity. She also highlights how much easier it now is to maintain the comprehensive documentation of applications with SlideRoom, streamlining the admissions audit process.
Making Way for More Opportunities
Faculty members have responded positively to the new system, even after some initial reluctance to embrace change. “The feedback we’ve gotten is that it’s easy and intuitive,” the enrollment director shared. Faculty can now review applications more quickly and efficiently, and applicants enjoy the streamlined submission process.
Liaison SlideRoom has not only improved the operational efficiency of admissions but has also enhanced the experience for all users. By streamlining complex processes for applicants, evaluators, and administration alike, the school has positioned itself for continued success in evaluating creative talent at the highest possible ethical standards, meeting its level of holistic review processes.