Input needed Does anyone have any suggestions on how we can improve the Application Database?

[Chris W]

We've had the application database for a while now and we're always looking for advice on how to improve it. Last year we added the copy feature so that it's easier to add multiple applications. The database provides the site and all of you with invaluable data so any way that we can make it easier and better I'm all ears.

Here's an example application with all the fields filled out:

SAMPLE MFA Application 2019

The Film Program & Degree field is obviously required and we made some other fields required at the request of users in the past so there is useful information logged with each application. I'm open to suggestions however.

And the following fields at the top:

• Film Program & Degree Required
• Submission Date Required
• Interview Notification Date
• Interview Date
• Decision Notification Date
• Admitted Off Waitlist Date
• Scholarship Notification

Then the following sections:

How has the application process gone so far? ​

General write up of your experience. 150 characters required

Application Details & Materials​

• Country of Applicant (pulldown menu of choices with option to add one that's missing) Required
• Age (pulldown menu of age choices) Required
• Film Experience Required
  • No Film Experience​
  • Limited Experience​
  • Moderate Experience​
  • Extensive Experience​
• Film Experience Description (text field) Required
• Gender (pulldown menu of choices)
• Sexual Orientation (pulldown menu of choices)
• Race (pulldown menu of choices)
• Undergrad Program (text field)
• Undergrad Degree Field of Study (pulldown menu of choices)
• GPA
• ACT Score
• SAT Score
• GRE Verbal Reasoning
• GRE Analytical Writing
• GRE Quantitative Reasoning
• GMAT
• IELTS Score
• General Application Materials Description (text field)
• Application Materials Attached here on FilmSchool.org (checkboxes)
  • Portfolio
  • Personal Statement
  • Writing Samples
  • Visual Samples (Stills)
  • Visual Samples (Video)
  • Short Film
  • Short Film
• Video Submission URL (text field)
• Application Details & Materials (text field to paste written materials etc)

Interview Questions & Notes​

• Interviewers (text field)
• Interview Questions & Notes (text field)

Scholarship Info​

• Scholarship Awarded Per Year (pulldown menu)
• Scholarship Awarded Detail (text field)

Decision Info​

• Decision Info (text field)

Anything we should change or add?

 

[shiro382]

Hi Chris, this is a really solid and useful database overall. One thing that could help is making a few sensitive fields like age, gender, and scores optional or “prefer not to say” so more users feel comfortable completing entries. A short tooltip or example for fields like film experience description and interview notes could also improve consistency and data quality. Finally, a simple “save draft” option would help applicants who want to fill details over time without rushing.

 

[Chris W]

One thing that could help is making a few sensitive fields like age, gender, and scores optional or “prefer not to say” so more users feel comfortable completing entries

Unless you're seeing something as a user that I'm not seeing, age is the only one of the options above that is required. I'll think about changing it. Thanks for the input.

A short tooltip or example for fields like film experience description and interview notes could also improve consistency and data quality

Do you mean example text of what responses should be in those fields?

Finally, a simple “save draft” option would help applicants who want to fill details over time without rushing.

There should already be a save draft feature. Are you not seeing it? You need to be logged in to see it.

Thank you so much for your suggestions!