Leading universities are utilizing online technology to develop fair and unbiased admissions processes that give all applicants equal opportunity. It is also reducing their operational costs, and allowing them to stay agile. 

This trend, which started as “aptitude-based assessment” and is now referred to as “holistic assessment”, helps create more channels for students of all ages and backgrounds to enter university study. Top universities are intensifying their efforts to lead this trend. Read below for details.  

Beyond Grades: The Importance of Holistic Assessment

• Universities adopt a more comprehensive approach to admissions called “holistic assessment”, which considers factors beyond academic grades such as interests, aptitudes, and achievements. 

Holistic assessment is a term used in university admission processes to describe the approach of assessing applicants based on more than just their academic grades. 

This modern approach provides a more comprehensive understanding of applicants and helps identify those best suited for a particular program. This means that universities take into account other factors, such as the applicant’s interests, aptitudes, and prior preparation, to determine their suitability for a chosen degree program.

In contrast to traditional admissions processes that rely solely on academic grades, holistic assessment promotes diversity and inclusivity in higher education by providing equal opportunities to applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. 

Innovative Solutions for a Fair University Admissions Process

• Singapore’s NTU and NUS use technology to streamline and standardize their university admission process through video-on-demand and standardized video interviewing questions to reduce bias and increase diversity.

“The future is already here — it’s just not very evenly distributed.”

William Gibbson

NUS Business School has been utilizing Astronaut’s platform as part of its Master’s program admissions process since 2020. One of the main benefits of the platform is its standardized questions aligned with the desired admission criteria, which allows for an objective evaluation of applicants’ motivation and English proficiency.

Research from Ockey has shown that motivation and English proficiency are important factors in determining academic success, and Astronaut’s platform allows NUS Business School to measure these criteria accurately and efficiently.

After shortlisting applicants based on their document submission and compliance with the universities’ requirements, NUS Business School utilizes Astronaut to assess applicants by randomly selecting questions from the platform’s question bank. The universities’ adoption of Astronaut shows their commitment to creating a fair and inclusive holistic admission process that provides equal opportunities to all applicants.

Video-on-demand allows these students to complete their interviews remotely, which removes barriers to entry and opens up opportunities for more diverse candidates. Our technology enables both universities to fasten their admission process and reduce bias by standardizing the interview questions.

Astronaut’s Video-on-Demand Interviews & Timed Written Assessments: Supporting Leading Universities

The National University of Singapore (NUS) and other leading universities are already leveraging Astronaut’s platform to build a fair and inclusive admission process that gives equal opportunity to all candidates.

With Astronaut, candidates can perform video-on-demand interviews remotely, making it easier for diverse applicants to apply. Don’t be left behind – follow their example and use Astronaut to improve your university admissions process today!

Our scalable platform combines video-on-demand and structured interviews to decrease bias and promote diversity, providing equal chances for all applicants to demonstrate their capabilities.

You can quickly assess applicants from all around the world with Astronaut, helping you to broaden your reach and attract a more varied application pool. Visit https://pwrdby.astrnt.co right away to give your applicants the best experience!