Less paperwork. Applying students no longer need to download reference forms and pass them on to their references. Instead, students need only give the names, email addresses and titles (if appropriate) of their references. As soon as students submit their completed application and pay the fee, those people will automatically be emailed with links to the online reference forms.
Faster form. While reference forms used to be much more essay-driven, the new forms use a five-star system for each applicant’s abilities, which is easier and faster to use. References still have the option to add comments wherever desired. Completing the new form will take the average person 10-25 minutes, depending on the amount of detail he or she adds.
No redoing work. Because the same reference form is used by each of the 12 BestSemester programs, if a student decides to apply for more than one program, the reference only needs to fill out the form once for multiple program applications from the same student. The reference may edit the form depending on which program it is directed to, but that is not necessary.
Easy access for campus contacts. With the improved application system, each school’s online application campus contact can see and print applications at his/her own convenience. Each applicant’s applications and reference forms will be available online; the entire packet of information can be printed with the click of one button.
“This feature is really great for those institutions with limited spots available for off-campus study and systems or committees that determine which students may go off-campus each school year,” says Amber Palmer, CCCU student programs marketing manager. “The campus contact can also see if someone still needs a reference and either follow up with that individual personally or ask the CCCU to send the reference a reminder email.”
BestSemester.com is powered by eResources, a Web design firm based in Washington, D.C.
The 12 semester- or summer-long student programs offered by the CCCU are categorized as either culture-shaping programs or culture-crossing programs. Culture-shaping programs are: American Studies Program (Washington, D.C.); Contemporary Music Center (Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.); Los Angeles Film Studies Center (L.A., Calif.); and Washington Journalism Center (Washington, D.C.), which is scheduled to launch in Fall 2006. Included in the culture-crossing programs are: Australia Studies Centre; China Studies Program; Latin American Studies Program; Middle East Studies Program; Programmes in Oxford; Russian Studies Program; and Uganda Studies Program. All programs undergo regular site visit evaluations by the Student Academic Programs Commission (SAPC).
The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities is a higher education association of more than 170 intentionally Christ-centered institutions around the world. There are now 105 member campuses in North America and all are fully-accredited, comprehensive colleges and universities with curricula rooted in the arts and sciences. In addition, 71 affiliate campuses from 24 countries are part of the CCCU. The Council’s mission is to advance the cause of Christ-centered higher education and to help its institutions transform lives by faithfully relating scholarship and service to biblical truth.