ApplicaaOne Student Review System: Staff Guide

Why We've Introduced Student Reviews

Building Trust Through Authenticity

In today’s digital age, prospective students and their families want genuine insights that go beyond traditional marketing materials. In a survey of over 2,500 students and parents conducted last year, one of the top requests was for a way to compare institutions more easily and to gain a clearer understanding of what the institution experience is really like.

Student reviews provide:

Authentic perspectives from those who've experienced your institution firsthand
Social proof that builds confidence in your institution
Valuable feedback to help identify strengths and areas for improvement
Enhanced engagement with your student community

Strategic Benefits

Demonstrates transparency and confidence in your educational offering
Helps prospective students make informed decisions
Showcases your institution's unique strengths through student voices
Provides insights into the student experience across multiple dimensions

How the System Works

Review Categories

Students rate and comment on four key areas out five stars:

Quality of Teaching – How well teachers explain concepts and make learning engaging
Student Support – How well the institution supports wellbeing and learning needs
Facilities & Resources – The quality of classrooms, equipment, and learning materials
Opportunities & Enrichment – Clubs, trips, and activities beyond the classroom

What the students see when leaving a review:

How the reviews look like on your ApplicaaOne page

The Review Process

Step 1: Student Authentication

Students must be logged into ApplicaaOne to submit reviews
They confirm they are current students or a former student.

Step 2: Community Guidelines

Students acknowledge our community guidelines before submitting
They confirm their review is based on personal experience
Guidelines ensure feedback stays constructive and respectful

Step 3: AI Moderation

All reviews undergo automatic moderation via our AI system (covered in more details further down):

Safe reviews: Published immediately
Flagged reviews: Held for your review before publication
Rejected content: Not published and a rejected outright; student asked to revise

Step 4: institution Notification

You receive an immediate dashboard notification on your Sixth Form Application form within Admissions+ when the following happens:

New reviews are submitted
Reviews require your attention
Content is flagged for moderation

In the same area, you are able to also activate email notifications for specific staff users if you prefer to also get email notifications.

Who Can Leave Reviews

Eligible Reviewers

Current Students
Recent Alumni

Verification Requirements

Verified email address
Self-confirmation of institution attendance
Agreement to community guidelines
Confirmation that feedback is based on personal experience

Managing Reviews and Addressing Concerns

Your Review Dashboard

Access your dedicated Reviews section within the Customise ApplicaaOne section of your Admissions+ dashboard to:

View all student reviews for your institution
See ratings across all four categories
Read detailed student comments
Track submission dates and student names (or "Anonymous")

The student reviews staff dashboard:

When you click to respond to a review:

Available Actions

1. Respond Publicly

Write thoughtful responses to reviews
Clarify misconceptions or provide context
Thank students for positive feedback
Address concerns constructively

2. Quick Reactions

Add quick acknowledgments (thumbs up, thank you)
Show you're actively engaged with feedback

3. Flag for Additional Moderation

Escalate concerning reviews to Applicaa team
Request removal of inappropriate content
Report potential guideline violations

Addressing Negative Reviews

We understand concerns about negative feedback. Here's how we protect your institution's interests:

Pre-Publication Safeguards

Reviews are moderated, with any flagged submissions appearing on your dashboard before being published on your ApplicaaOne institution profile page – and institutions can respond directly. Students must agree to our community guidelines before submitting and confirm they are a current or former student, helping ensure feedback stays constructive and respectful.

Automatic Content Filtering

Our AI moderation immediately blocks or flags:

Personal attacks on staff or students
Hate speech or discrimination
Privacy violations
Spam or off-topic content
Unsubstantiated serious allegations

Your Control Mechanisms

Review Before Publication: Flagged content appears on your dashboard first, not publicly
Direct Response Option: Address concerns publicly to provide context
Escalation Process: Flag inappropriate reviews for Applicaa team review
Notification Control: Choose which staff members receive review alerts

Best Practices for Responding to Reviews

For Positive Reviews

Thank students for their feedback
Highlight specific points that resonate with your institution's values
Share how you're building on strengths mentioned

For Constructive Criticism

Acknowledge the feedback professionally
Provide context where helpful
Share any improvements already underway
Demonstrate commitment to continuous improvement

For Negative Reviews

Respond calmly and professionally
Focus on facts rather than emotions
Offer to discuss concerns offline if appropriate
Show prospective families how you handle feedback

Setting Up Your Team

Dashboard Alerts

Banner notifications appear for new and unacknowledged reviews providing you quick access to reviews requiring attention

Email Notification Management

Within the review section of your ApplicaaOne profile within Admissions+ you can configure who receives review notifications:

Navigate to the Reviews Page in your ApplicaaOne dashboard
Select team members from the dropdown menu
Add multiple recipients as needed
Save your preferences

Maximising the Opportunity

This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your institution's strengths, engage with student voices, and build trust with future applicants.

Encouraging Quality Reviews

As an Applicaa customer, you can boost your institution's profile by inviting current and former sixth formers to leave reviews on your ApplicaaOne profile. Simply share your institution's ApplicaaOne URL — the whole process takes just 2–3 minutes.

Using Reviews Strategically

Share positive reviews in marketing materials
Use feedback for continuous improvement
Demonstrate responsiveness to student concerns
Build a culture of open communication

Resources and Support

Student Review Community Guidelines - Full guidelines students must follow
This Review System Guide - Detailed guide on system functionality and notifications
For technical support or questions, contact the Applicaa support team via the live chat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if a review contains false information?

You can respond publicly to provide accurate information and context. If the review violates guidelines, flag it for Applicaa team review.

Can we remove negative reviews?

Reviews that violate community guidelines can be removed. However, legitimate constructive criticism should be addressed through responses rather than removal.

How quickly are reviews published?

Safe reviews appear immediately. Flagged reviews appear on your dashboard first for your review before publication.

Can we see who left anonymous reviews?

No, student privacy is protected when they choose to remain anonymous.

What happens to inappropriate reviews?

They're either blocked immediately by AI moderation or flagged for your review. Serious violations are escalated to the Applicaa team.

Key Takeaways

✅ Student reviews build trust and authenticity for your institution profile
✅ Multiple safeguards protect against inappropriate content
✅ You have control through responses, reactions, and moderation flags
✅ Reviews provide valuable insights for continuous improvement
✅ This system helps prospective students make informed decisions