South Carolina State University News August 18, 2011 SC State's Office of Admissions Embraces Online Culture for Potential Students SC State University's Office of Admissions, Recruitment and Scholarships is making the application process simpler for students by providing a more efficient way for them to complete the necessary steps for admission into the University. While students previously had the option of completing the application process via mail or online, it is now mandatory that potential students submit their application, high school transcript, national exam scores and the $25 application fee online. According to Antonio Boyle, assistant vice president for enrollment management, completing the four-step process online will allow students to receive a response in seconds, will ensure accuracy for the admissions staff, will link admissions to financial aid and other key departments essential for the admissions process and is more cost efficient. "You can apply to the University, send your high school transcript and pay the application fee online within the same day," says Boyle. "Our machine links these three components, including your social security number and says that you are approved in seconds. You will also receive a hard copy acceptance." In addition to the speedy response, staff members previously had the cumbersome responsibility of keying in data from hard copy applications, ultimately resulting in errors. With the embracing of new technology, Boyle says that fewer errors will be made. "Before, someone had to re-type the information into the system. Staff members now ensure that they process students and that their records are matched. Technology will allow them to do a better job." Technology will also allow the data captured in admissions to feed over to financial aid and ultimately to other departments, such as the cashiers office. "In this age of instant generation, we must be proactive," says Boyle. "We must get into the culture of going online." According to Boyle, this "online culture" will also reduce the cost of printing and mailing applications, as well as hiring the manpower for data entry, a $25,000-$50,000 cost savings. For additional information regarding the online application process, contact the Office of Admissions, Recruitment and Scholarships at (803) 536-7186. If a student does not have a computer or access to a computer at their school or local library, a member of the Admissions, Recruitment and Scholarships team will be sent to the student's location to assist. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Program Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 404.592.4820 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.