Application-based scholarship selection processes
Hi all,
We have a number of application-based entrance scholarships, with free-from responses to specific questions. When they first launched, the number of applications was manageable, making the scoring/selection process itself manageable. Now, application volume has grown and the review/selection/scoring process is becoming more onerous. Applications and references are collected using the match form/online form platform.
I am curious how other universities are managing this qualitative part of the selection process for these types of awards?
Do you use willing volunteers to review each file?
Is there a maximum number you'll ask reviewers to look at to keep their workload manageable?
Do you have any quick and easy ways to pre-assess the applications (other than GPA) before sending them to reviewers?
Any insights would be appreciated! Feel free to respond here, or email me: andra.drinkwalter@ontariotechu.ca Andra
Hi Andra
We have a similar process at Nipissing, and I am facing some of the same challenges.
We do have a newly established Awards Committee. I short-list applications to 10 candidates and then send those applications off to the committee. Each app is reviewed and ranked by each committee member, 1-10. The student with the highest score is the award recipient. In the event of a tie, the Committee Chair is the tie-breaker.
The committee membership is representative of all areas of the university, including:
the Registrar, who shall be Chair; the Student Union President, or designate from the Executive; Student Senator; the Assistant Vice-President, Students; the Director, Office of Indigenous Initiatives; the Manager, Financial Aid and Financial Services, or designate; the Manager, University Advancement. and Members Elected by Senate or Faculty Council: two Faculty Senators, one from each Faculty; and two non-Senator Faculty; one elected from each Faculty.
I don't have any specific short-cuts, but I do look for breadth of community involvement, i.e. more than one organization, or type of volunteer activity to help narrow the pool of candidates.