Define the Problem: The issue with the college application process is its complexity and the burden it places on students, who must submit multiple applications with varying requirements.
Research the Problem: Empathy work was conducted through surveys, interviews, and focus groups with students and admissions officers to understand their challenges and needs.
Establish Requirements: Based on the research, requirements were established for a simplified application process, acceptance by colleges, and a system to ensure data accuracy and completeness.
Create User Personas: The personas likely included diverse student demographics and admissions officers with different levels of experience with application systems.
Determine Specifications: Specifications would involve a user-friendly interface, streamlined processes, universal college acceptance, and data verification mechanisms.
Brainstorm Solutions: The team brainstormed various features, such as a common essay portal, standardized forms, and a progress dashboard.
Develop Workflows: Workflows for how users would interact with the application from start to finish, including how data would be input, processed, and reviewed, were developed.
Create Wireframes and Prototypes: Low-fidelity wireframes and interactive prototypes were created to begin visualizing solutions.
Obtain User Feedback: Through usability testing with the prototypes, feedback was collected to identify issues and areas for improvement.
Iterate Designs: Based on user feedback, the design was iterated to refine the interface and functionality.
Develop the Solution: The final platform was developed, integrating all the features validated during the testing phase.
Implement the Solution: The user interface was designed to be clean and straightforward, with tools like a step-by-step wizard and tooltips to assist users.
Gather Post-Launch Feedback: After the launch, feedback from users was likely collected to understand the impact of the platform and identify any further improvements needed.
Iterate Based on Feedback: The platform would be updated and refined based on ongoing user feedback to ensure it continues to meet the needs of students and colleges.
