Volume 6, No 3 
Information Technology News of the University of California,
Davis November
1997
            |
November Is 'Internet Application Month' At UCCourtesy of UC News WireStarting November 1, 1997, high school seniors and prospective transfer students anywhere in the world can apply directly over the Internet for admission to the University of California. Admissions officials estimate that at least 10 percent of the 72,000 applications UC expects to receive during the 30-day filing period that traditionally begins Nov. 1 will be from students who filed electronically using Pathways, UC's online undergraduate admission information and application network. About 7,000 electronic applications have been started since the application was made available for preparation on the Pathways website in mid-September and Pathways is quickly becoming one of UC's most frequently visited websites, generating 32,000 "hits" since last June. "The popularity of Pathways demonstrates the willingness of students to embrace new technology and use it for their benefit," said Dennis Galligani, UC assistant vice president for student academic services. "Pathways provides students access to university information when they want it. The information is available 24 hours a day so that night owl- or early morning-students can work on their applications and personal essays at their convenience." Pathways is more than a website enabling students to file electronic admission applications. It is a place where students, parents, counselors and anyone else can make cyberspace visits to each of UC's nine campuses, learn about financial aid, student housing, faculty, courses, even extracurricular activities -- the sort of information once available only through campus catalogues and brochures but now conveniently and instantaneously accessed via the World Wide Web. "As anyone who has ever done it knows, applying for college can be a time-consuming, nerve-wracking experience," said Carla Ferri, UC director for undergraduate admissions. "Every fall students scramble to gather information about the schools that interest them, determine if they meet grade and test score requirements and then file an application before an ever-looming deadline." But Pathways, thanks to its use of state-of-the-art computer technology, makes that task easier and less daunting, Ferri said. Coordinated by the UC Office of the President in cooperation with the eight general campuses, Pathways provides a direct link via the Internet between applicants and the university. Through the use of electronic data interchange, Pathways collects grades and test scores, students' essays and other information used to determine admission. Pathways incorporates the latest security measures to protect the integrity of student information and records. In addition, receiving information electronically will streamline the university's admissions processes and reduce the paperwork generated by the publication of more than 200,000 application brochures and the filing of nearly 500,000 sheets of paper by students seeking admission each year in the future. Pathways also provides UC with the ability to update if necessary on a daily basis information on admissions and financial aid. "Because college catalogues are printed many months ahead of the application period, there is bound to be information that is outdated even before it reaches students and counselors, " said Ferri. "That won't happen with Pathways because the materials can be updated and renewed whenever necessary." Pathways uses client-server technology combined with an easy-to-use interface to assist students, parents and counselors in managing applications. Under development for the last two years, Pathways was first tested in fall 1995 with students from six high schools and community colleges and was extended in fall 1996 to students from 58 high schools and colleges throughout California before this year's full-scale implementation. Last year 71,996 high school seniors and transfer students applied for UC admission during filing period, 300 of them under the extended test phase of Pathways. Students filing electronically this year will pay the same $40 per campus application fee as student filing on paper and have the option of paying the fee by credit card. Pathways can be found on the World Wide Web at this address: |