Common Application Team Sends Follow-Up Message
The Common Application sent an updated response to the Shakerite’s initial media inquiry about the glitches in the website.
Common Application employee Kate Connors seemed more than willing to answer any questions the Shakerite had and even included a way to contact Scott Anderson, the Senior Director for Policy at the Common Application.
The follow-up email included quotes from Anderson regarding the Early Action and Early Decision due dates. “Even with deadline extensions from several colleges, November 1 proved to be the high-volume submission period we anticipated,” Anderson said.
Submission statistics through Nov. 3 along with the percentages that had increases from one year ago on the same date were also included in the email. Total application submissions were at 740,241 with a 20 percent increase from last year and total school forms sent were at 3,079,625 with a 23 percent increase.
In a statement, Anderson explained the switch to the new web design of the application.
“The newest version of the Common Application, which launched on August 1, was developed and designed by Hobsons, our technology provider. This new application system was intended to be a more robust system able to effectively guide applicants and schools through the complex college application process and to efficiently handle the growth of student applications and related forms. As with any new technological launch, some difficulties arose after launch and as more users interacted with the system. We have been responding immediately to these issues as they occur, and our technology provider is proactively testing and improving the system to reduce the risk and impact of any future issues. We are using multiple methods–including email communications and social media–to keep all constituents informed throughout the application process.”
The end of the email contained another apology statement from the Common Application company for the troubles experienced by its users.
Read the original story here: https://www.shakerite.com/campus-and-city/2013/11/07/malfunctions-plague-common-application/
