Slate is stored on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) network which is experiencing performance issues with their US-East-1 infrastructure today. While Slate remains online and operational, the AMS issue is creating latency (delay) and error rates in certain areas of Slate, such as the Slate Reader, while displaying documents. Further updates are available at status.aws.amazon.com but the AWS issues are being addressed quickly.
Admissions
Spring 2022 Admissions Application Deadline Extended to Dec. 20
The Graduate Admissions team is working through several Slate migration challenges and anticipates that most of the issues should be fully addressed and reconciled by Dec. 4. As a result, we are extending the 2022 Spring semester deadline for applicants to doctoral, master’s, and certificate programs from Dec. 1 to Dec. 20. Please know that prospective students who are currently out of the country and need an F or J visa to enroll may simply not have sufficient time to apply, be considered for admission, be admitted, and complete the process to obtain an I-20 and a visa prior to the last day to enroll in the spring semester.
First Spring 2022 Enrollment Report Released
The first Spring 2022 enrollment report is now available on GPDNet. The report, which will be updated weekly, may be downloaded in the GPDNet Graduate School Data section.
The total graduate enrollment goal for Spring 2022 is 5,917 students.
Slate, the New Admissions CRM, is Live
Graduate Admissions migrated to Slate, the new admissions CRM, the week of Nov. 21. Details about the system implementation as well as the system login and training materials are available in GPDNet under GPD News/Resources.
Eastern North Carolina Career Fair Planned
The Eastern North Carolina Career Alliance (ENCCA) will host an online career fair Feb. 16, 11-4.
The event will provide an opportunity to connect with a diverse group of students and alumni from ENCCA’s eight member institutions:
- Barton College
- Campbell University
- Methodist University
- University of Mount Olive
- North Carolina Wesleyan College
- Saint Augustine’s University
- Shaw University
- William Peace University
Top majors include biology, business, communications, criminal justice, education, exercise science, game development, interactive design, healthcare administration, information technology, psychology, social work, and sport and recreation management.
To register, visit the ENNCA Career Fair.
Migration to Slate Begins Today
AdmissionsPros was decommissioned at 11:59 pm on Nov. 15 so the migration to Slate can begin. Slate “Captains” Kathy Giddings and Ash Bowers anticipate a Slate go-live on Monday, Nov. 22.
Training Sessions Planned for Slate Admissions System
As the new Slate admissions system goes live Nov. 22, a series of training opportunities have been scheduled to help ensure a smooth transition. The training, led by Associate Dean Johnna Watson, is highly recommended.
Participants may choose from a live, face-to-face session, online Google Meet session and Q&A session. To register, please visit the Graduate School.
Please note that if you register to attend but can’t make it, please let contact Cherie Ellerbe, ellerb4@uncc.edu, Administrative Support Specialist.
EducationUSA Offers Europe Open Office Hours for Recruitment Assistance
Join advisers from across Western and Northern Europe for open office hours on Dec. 7 and 9. The advisers will be ready to answer questions from representatives from U.S. higher education institutions about recruitment strategies, scholarship programs, upcoming events, and other items. Dates, times, and countries featured on each day are listed below.
Dec. 7 (Tues.) | 11–12:30 p.m. EST | Featured countries: Sweden, Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Luxembourg | https://iie-org.zoom.us/j/
Dec. 9 (Thurs.) | 11-12:30 p.m. EST | Featured countries: Finland, UK, Portugal, Ireland, Norway, Germany, Spain | https://iie-org.zoom.us/j/
Germany to Hold Graduate Studies Recruitment Fair in November
EducationUSA will host its first virtual Graduate Studies Fair for Germany on Tues., Nov. 23, 4-8 p.m. CET. U.S. higher education institutions will have a virtual booth and host group and one-on-one sessions with Germany’s top students. EducationUSA advisers will facilitate the event and share educational and funding opportunities. For more information on how to participate, please contact germany@educationusa.org.
Portugal to Hold Recruitment Fair in November
The Fulbright Commission and EducationUSA Portugal are inviting U.S. higher education institutions to join the EducationUSA Portugal Fair, which will take place virtually Nov. 18. The fair will offer an opportunity to connect with prospective undergraduate and graduate students. Registration is now open. For more information about the event, please contact EducationUSA Portugal adviser Dorian Rosca.
Admissions Application and eGRAD Unavailable Nov 16-21 for Slate Migration
Graduate Admissions is transitioning to a new recruitment and admissions system (Slate) and mygradschool.uncc.edu AND eGRAD will be brought down on Nov. 16 at 12 am.
Graduate Program Directors are encouraged to make recommendations on all Ready for Review applications prior to Nov. 16 or wait until after the Slate go-live on Nov. 22.
All current eGRAD users will have access to Slate as soon as the system is live; training documentation for decision makers and committee members will be provided online. Virtual and face-to-face Slate training will be available beginning the week of Nov 22. Details will be provided soon.
Prospective students are encouraged to submit their application and supporting materials (via mygradschool.uncc.edu) on or before Nov. 16, otherwise they can submit materials in Slate beginning Nov. 22. Similarly, recommendation providers who have not submitted a reference for a prospective student are encouraged to do so by Nov. 16. Otherwise, they will be sent a link to complete the recommendation in Slate.
Between Nov. 16-21:
- Data and supporting documents in AdmissionPros will be migrated to Slate
- Prospective students for 2022 will be emailed new system credentials to access the system
- Recommendation providers who have not submitted a reference will be provided information to do so in Slate
- Graduate Program Directors and admissions committee members will be emailed the link to access Slate.
Reports Out on Student Loan Debt, Enrollment and Degrees
2020-2021 and 2019-2020 Graduate Loan Summary Report
This report, available for download, provides details on federal loan debt by students in graduate programs based on enrollment status by aid year. Have questions about the data? Insights into how the information should be considered and/or compiled for 2021-2021? Join the Graduate School for a Graduate Student Debt Question and Answer Workshop on Wednesday, October 27th, between 11 am and noon. Feel free to drop in (virtually!) anytime.
CGS/GRE 2020 Survey of Graduate Enrollment & Degrees
The downloadable document is the only national survey that annually collects data on first-time and total graduate enrollment across 1) all fields of study and 2) by degree level. The Fall 2020 survey was sent to 763 U.S. institutions and received a 73.1% response rate.
The downloadable document is the only national survey that annually collects data on first-time and total graduate enrollment across 1) all fields of study and 2) by degree level. The Fall 2020 survey was sent to 763 U.S. institutions and received a 73.1% response rate.
Important Deadlines for Spring
Please note the following deadlines for spring semester:
- November 23-Graduate Program Directors: Last day to recommend admission for an international applicant who resides outside the U.S. and requires a F or J visa.
- December 1-Prospective Students: Last day to submit a degree or certificate application.
- December 12-Newly Admitted International Students who reside outside the U.S. and require a F or J visa: Last day to submit a financial certificate form. (https://isso.charlotte.edu/
future-students/newly- admitted-students/obtain-unc- charlotte-i-20). - December 22-Graduate Program Directors: Last day to recommend admission for applicants.
- January 10-Prospective Students: Final date to submit a post-baccalaureate application.
Nationwide, Graduate Enrollment Projected to Grow less than 1% through 2029
Nationwide, graduate enrollment is projected to grow by less than 1% from 2021-2029.
The Education Advisory Board (EAB) compiled a downloadable white paper to help institutions better understand the future needs of adult learners and develop strategies to recruit, enroll and retain them. Charlotte’s graduate enrollment is projected to grow 20% over the next ten years, so the work to strategically serve this unique audience must begin now.
GRE Changes Testing for China, Iran
The Educational Testing Service (ETS) made a recent, and sudden, decision to suspend the computer-based GRE and reintroduce the paper-based version of the exam in China, effective Oct. 1.
The test administration change is apparently in response to security breaches in China. According to a press release by ETS, an investigation uncovered numerous websites offering questions and answers from live versions of the computer-based GRE.
Also, according to the ETS website, although the GRE General Test at home is not available to test takers in Iran, it is available at testing centers in country.
At Home Testing
The GRE® General Test at home is a safe and convenient option for test takers who prefer to take their test at home rather than at a test center. It’s offered everywhere that the test is normally available, based on the country of your account address, except Mainland China and Iran.
Testing Locations
The GRE® General Test is a computer-delivered test that is offered both at test centers and at home.
Test Center Testing
The GRE General Test is administered in a secure testing environment at more than 1,000 ETS-authorized test centers in 160-plus countries.
- In most regions of the world, the test is available on a continuous basis throughout the year.
- In Mainland China; Hong Kong, China; Taiwan, China; and Korea, the test is available up to three times per month.
Hanover Research Materials Available to Support Graduate Student Recruitment and Program Management
The following four documents by Hanover Research are now available in the Graduate School Data section of GPDNet:
- Best Practices in Graduate Student Recruitment
- Effective Strategies for Recruiting and Engaging Adult Learners
- Program Capacity Management Strategies
- Top 10 Degrees on the Rise in 2021
GradSchoolMatch Aims to Improve Prospect Targeting
GradSchoolMatch from ETS is an online platform to help prospective students find the best fit for a graduate school and help recruiters stand out among top prospects.
For a $195 registration fee, GradSchoolMatch allows programs to create a profile to showcase unique strengths, then sends notifications when prospects express interest and provides a site to cultivate personal connections.
For more information and to register, please visit GradSchoolMatch and select For Recruiters.
ETS Webinar: Recruitment Strategies for a Reopening World
As we begin to move past the global pandemic, “returning to normal” doesn’t necessarily mean returning to pre-COVID conditions. In this session, we’ll share the latest graduate enrollment and student flow trends, lessons learned during the last 18 months and tools for finding and connecting with prospective candidates.
Join recruitment expert Ayo Strange Wednesday, Sept. 22, 1 p.m. ET for this informative, complimentary webinar where we’ll explore:
- The current state of college enrollment
- Trends in international student flows
- Changes made due to COVID–19 that are worth keeping
- Tools, including the GRE® Search Service and the GradSchoolMatch™ platform, that can help programs find and build relationships with prospective candidates
For more information and to register, please visit the ETS Registration site.
Tips for Successful Recruitment
GPDNet has Tips for Successful Graduate Recruitment and associated resources that can help you jumpstart your recruitment plan. Here’s a quick overview:
- Maintain an up-to-date website
- Communicate regularly with prospective students and applicants
- Host an information session
- Participate in a graduate recruitment fair
- Buy GRE Search and/or TOEFL Search records
- Recruit your undergraduates and alumni
- Network with other institutions and faculty
- Leverage academic events
- Advertise in professional journals and conferences
- Develop promotional materials
Check out the Graduate School’s recruitment event listings for 2021-22, as well as archived workshops and training materials for:
- Graduate School Recruitment
- Recruiting Students from Feeder Schools
- Early Entry: Recruiting the Best from UNC Charlotte
- Establishing Prospective Student Pipelines at HBCUs
- Social Media Recruitment 101
For more information, please contact Maryanne Maree-Sams, MaryanneMaree-Sams@uncc.edu, Director of Graduate Recruitment.
Graduate Admissions System Migration Delayed
Important Information – Graduate Admissions System Migration Status
Due to an unforeseen technical issue, the UNC Charlotte Graduate School is delaying migration to a new graduate admissions system. Once the new platform is ready to launch, additional information will be provided to prospective students, recommenders, graduate program directors and affiliated administrators, and the University community. Thank you for your patience as we continue to improve the user experience.
Admissions Application and eGRAD Unavailable Sept. 8-15
Graduate Admissions is transitioning to a new recruitment and admissions system (Slate) on September 15th, and mygradschool.uncc.edu AND eGRAD will be brought down on September 7th at 11:59 pm. Prospective students are being encouraged to submit their application and supporting materials on or before September 7th, else they can submit materials in the new Slate system beginning September 15th. Similarly, Graduate Program Directors are encouraged to make recommendations on all Ready for Review applications prior to September 8th or wait until after the Slate go-live on September 15th. Slate training will be available beginning September 13th, so stay tuned to GPDNet for additional details.
Between September 8th – 15th, applications and supporting materials will be migrated to Slate and prospective students for 2022 will be emailed new system credentials to access the new system on or around September 15th. Similarly, recommendation providers are being encouraged to submit references by September 7th at 11:59 pm; otherwise, they will be provided new system and login credentials for Slate on or around September 15th.
New Admissions System Goes Live Sept. 15
The Graduate Admissions team is busy designing and building Slate (by Technolutions), a new recruitment and admissions management system that is comprehensive, scalable, integrated and sustainable to help effectively recruit and enroll exemplary students to UNC Charlotte graduate programs.
Slate will replace eGRAD, and the anticipated go-live date is September 15, 2021.
Open forums were held in May and June to provide faculty and staff with a high level overview of the system’s functionality; if you missed them, please view the PowerPoint presentation in GPDNet (GPD News/Resources>Admissions, Recruitment, & Enrollment Management>Slate Info). We anticipate offering virtual and face-to-face training to graduate program directors and affiliates beginning Sept. 8.
Please direct any questions and/or suggestions to Johnna Watson.
