CollegeNET, Inc., a provider of Web-based, on-demand
technologies, today announced that James Madison University (JMU) has successfully and
securely delivered all admissions decision letters to its 2009/2010 college applicants over the
Web. JMU's approach to Web admissions has long been acknowledged as a bellwether by the
admissions profession. This newest step to securely supplement physical mail from a large-scale
decision notification process again raises the bar in admissions automation.
JMU uses CollegeNET's ApplyWeb as a replacement for the labor-intensive task of processing,
routing and responding to paper admissions documents. By building services around ApplyWeb,
one of the largest systems processing Web admissions applications in the world, JMU is not only
reducing paper workflow, but building stronger relationships with incoming students. This year,
JMU extended its service approach by quickly and efficiently notifying student applicants of their
acceptance into the institution online.
"Each year applications to James Madison University are increasing; and 99.5 percent of the
freshman applications we receive flow to us transparently through the Web-not through physical
mail," said Joe Manning, associate director of admissions, James Madison University. "Access to
this database of information has been instrumental for us as we automate our notification process.
Without a single glitch, JMU was able to send out 20,500 electronic decision letters to the
freshman class of 2009, saving us both time and money. Our admissions officers are using time
that would have been spent distributing acceptance letters for reviewing applications and reaching
out to prospective students."
CollegeNET's Web technologies address nearly every key service point in the college or
university domain, including processing tuition payments, commencement registration, faculty
evaluations and alumni contributions. Among other capabilities, institutions using ApplyWeb for
admissions may automatically read a student's application to establish connections with coaches,
professors, club leaders and other campus organizations based on the preferences expressed in
their application. The system also includes a very popular feature that allows high school teachers
to write letters of recommendation for students via the Internet.
"ApplyWeb helps colleges and universities to efficiently collect key data from their student
applicants, and then apply this information in customizable ways," said Patricia Summers, vice
president, CollegeNET. "This level of flexibility builds solid relationships, helping colleges to
better focus on direct interaction with students."
Media Contacts:
Schwartz Communications, Inc.
Allison Bedard or Naomi Evarts
415-512-0770
CollegeNET@schwartz-pr.com
About CollegeNET, Inc.
CollegeNET, Inc. builds Web-based, on-demand technologies that help institutions improve
operational efficiency, enhance communication with constituents and save money. The
company's systems are used by more than 1,300 organizations worldwide for event and academic
scheduling, prospect and admissions management, Web-based tuition processing, IT change
management and alumni development. In 2007, CollegeNET created the first social network
through which students create topics, write about them, and vote to determine who will win
scholarships. Today, this site—www.collegeNET.com—is one of the Internet's most popular
destinations for college-bound students. The company is headquartered in Portland, Ore.