What Makes A Great College App?

One of the biggest factors for mobile technology’s dramatic increase in popularity is that it provides everyone with quicker access to information, especially when they’re on the go. For students, grades for assignments and courses likely top the list of information they want quick and easy access to. The Ohio State University (OSU)  has developed a feature in its college app that gives students the ability to easily view that exact information. OSU students can instantly view their grades from any semester they have been enrolled at the university, as long as they are using the school’s app.

Navigating a new campus can be especially daunting for incoming students, even when services such as shuttle buses are provided. To help new students get around, universities like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have integrated shuttle schedules and the ability to track these vehicles in real-time into their college apps. Perhaps the most impressive feature MIT’s app includes, however, is the ability to send customized push notifications to each individual student a few minutes before a shuttle arrives at any specific stop, a feature that could prove extremely helpful during bad weather conditions, or if a student is simply running late.

Many colleges and universities have had a strong online presence for a long time. As part of that online presence, many schools have provided access to a complete online directory of all staff members. Often, these directories prove to be incredibly useful to students who want to send a late-night email, or wish to set up an appointment with a busy advisor. The University of Alabama has placed its directory inside its college app to make contacting faculty members even easier for students, who can now access professors, school staff and department heads through a few taps of their smartphone’s screen.

These four features are only a few examples of how colleges and universities are driving student through their mobile apps. Incorporating these functions is sure to result in a great college app – and including all four could mean the difference between a great app and award-winning one.

Abi Mandelbaum is co-founder and CEO of YouVisit, the global leader in creating virtual tours and virtual reality experiences for a variety of industries, including hospitality, real estate, travel, events, education, factories and more.