Student file assessment methods in higher education

The evaluation of applications is a key step in the higher education admissions process. Institutions employ a variety of methods to analyze applicant profiles and select the most promising candidates. From academic criteria and extracurricular activities to motivation, applications are thoroughly reviewed by admissions committees. Discover the inner workings of these selection processes, from automated tools to in-depth qualitative assessments, and their specific characteristics depending on the program of study.

Summary :

1- Application evaluation criteria
2- Application evaluation process
3- Specific requirements for each training program

Criteria for evaluating applications

Academic results

Grades obtained in high school, the baccalaureate exam, and during post-secondary studies play a crucial role in evaluating student applications. Higher education institutions place great importance on these results, which reflect the academic abilities and commitment of applicants.

The first and final year report cards allow for an assessment of the progress and consistency of the work completed. Teacher comments are also taken into account, as they provide qualitative insight into the student's involvement and abilities.

The grade obtained on the baccalaureate exam is a strong indicator of the overall level achieved upon completion of high school. A grade of "good" or "very good" significantly enhances an application and attests to solid academic potential for success in higher education.

Finally, post-baccalaureate results, whether from preparatory classes, BTS, DUT, or a bachelor's degree, are carefully reviewed. They reflect the student's ability to adapt to a new learning environment and maintain a high level of academic excellence. Consistently high grades are an undeniable asset for gaining admission to a selective program.

Extracurricular experiences

Academic grades and results are not always sufficient to assess a candidate's full potential. Extracurricular experiences provide valuable additional insight into their personality, skills, and motivation.

Internships, student jobs, volunteer work, personal projects, and stays abroad: these activities reveal qualities such as autonomy, initiative, leadership, and open-mindedness. They also demonstrate the candidate's ability to commit to and manage projects alongside their studies.

Professional experiences, even short-term ones, allow students to assess their adaptability to the working world. Involvement in a student association or humanitarian cause demonstrates values ​​and civic responsibility. As for language immersion programs or international internships, they attest to comfort in a multicultural environment, an undeniable asset for future careers.

In short, extracurricular experiences offer a more comprehensive and embodied view of candidates. They reveal their potential, beyond raw results, and significantly enrich the analysis of their application. Their judicious consideration allows institutions to identify unique and promising profiles, thus building diverse and talented cohorts.

Motivated training project

The cover letter plays a crucial role in the evaluation of applications. It allows the candidate to express their motivation for the targeted training program and to demonstrate how their profile matches the requirements.

A well-written cover letter highlights the candidate's strengths, background, and experiences relevant to the program. It convincingly explains the reasons for their choice and how this program fits into their career goals. It's an opportunity for the candidate to stand out by offering a personal perspective on their application.

Application evaluation process

Automated pre-classification

Faced with a large number of applications, particularly in highly competitive fields, institutions rely on computer tools to perform an initial screening. These software programs, provided by the Ministry of Higher Education, allow them to classify applications according to predefined criteria such as grades, teacher evaluations, and the statement of purpose.

However, this automated preliminary ranking is only a first step. The admissions committees retain the final authority to refine the ranking based on their in-depth knowledge of each program's requirements. The algorithm does not replace the human evaluation of applications.

In short, the decision-making tool offers valuable time savings in the initial screening of applications. However, it is always complemented by a thorough qualitative analysis conducted by the faculty. This complementary approach ensures a fair and personalized review of each candidate's profile, going beyond purely quantitative criteria.

Qualitative analysis of the files

The automated pre-ranking is only the first step in evaluating applications. To refine the ranking and add a more human dimension, the committees then conduct a thorough qualitative analysis of the files.

Each application is reviewed individually by the teachers. They carefully examine the teachers' comments, the academic record, and the letter of motivation. The goal is to identify significant aspects of the candidate's personality, skills, and motivation, beyond raw academic results.

This careful reading highlights essential qualities for success in the chosen program, such as intellectual curiosity, rigor, and the ability to commit oneself. Extracurricular experiences are also taken into account to assess maturity and open-mindedness.

Thanks to this qualitative analysis, the initial ranking can be significantly revised. A file that received an average ranking after automated preprocessing may ultimately stand out due to an atypical and promising profile, and rise significantly in the final ranking.

Candidate selection

When admissions committees are faced with very similar applications, they must find additional criteria to differentiate between them. The personal statement can then make all the difference. Its content, structure, and writing quality are scrutinized. Some institutions even award bonus points based on relevant keywords that reflect the applicant's motivation and career goals.

Extracurricular experiences are another way to distinguish between similar profiles. Internships, student jobs, involvement in associations, and stays abroad all reveal personal qualities such as autonomy, initiative, and open-mindedness. They allow selection panels to perceive a candidate's potential and unique qualities beyond academic results.

Specifics depending on the training program

Universities

In non-selective university programs, the application evaluation process takes place in two stages. Software provided by the ministry first assigns a score to each application based on predefined criteria such as grades, teacher comments, or the statement of purpose. This automated preliminary ranking helps to narrow down the large number of applications received.

The admissions committees then conduct a qualitative analysis of each application. The aim is to refine the initial ranking by considering more personal elements such as extracurricular activities or the relevance of the personal statement. This crucial step ensures a more human and nuanced approach to each candidate's profile.

Preparatory classes and elite schools

Preparatory classes and elite schools have particularly demanding selection criteria. Academic results are obviously fundamental, with particular attention paid to grades in science subjects for preparatory classes and engineering schools, and in humanities and economics subjects for business schools.

But beyond academic excellence, these programs seek candidates with a well-rounded profile and a strong personality. Extracurricular activities, international experience, internships, and personal achievements are therefore highly valued. They demonstrate the candidate's curiosity, open-mindedness, and leadership qualities.

In short, preparatory classes and elite schools assess not only the academic quality of applications, but also the breadth of experience and the personality of the candidates. A subtle balance of these different criteria allows for the selection of the most promising profiles, those best able to thrive in these programs of excellence.

Supply chains under pressure

Certain programs, particularly in healthcare or in high-demand fields like computer science, attract a very large number of applications compared to the number of places available. This high demand necessitates specific adjustments to the selection process.
Admissions committees adapt their criteria to best identify candidates whose profiles precisely match the prerequisites of these demanding programs. Beyond academic excellence, particular attention is paid to extracurricular experiences related to the chosen program, which demonstrate a well-informed motivation.

The evaluation of applications is a complex and multidimensional process that combines automated tools with in-depth qualitative analysis. By cross-referencing academic criteria, extracurricular experiences, and applicants' motivation, institutions strive to select the most promising profiles best suited to each program. While the methods vary depending on the field of study, the goal remains to create diverse and talented cohorts. In this context, solutions like Emundus can help admissions managers optimize application processing by providing a suitable platform for collecting, organizing, and evaluating applications efficiently and in a personalized manner.