Again this year, Catawba College's Admissions website is among the most highly rated in the country, scoring in the top 100 of all sites rated. The site was recognized in the 14th annual My College Option® Enrollment Power Index® (EPI), an analysis of the admissions websites of nearly 3,000 colleges and universities.
"We are pleased to have independent confirmation that our admissions website is one of the leading sites in the nation," said Lois Williams, Catawba's Vice President of Enrollment. "We developed our site in-house with the knowledge that prospective students would be looking here for critical admissions information. As a result, we have made strides to constantly update our site with the latest tools, information and functionality to meet the needs of students and ensure that they can learn about what we have to offer. We are delighted to be recognized by My College Options."
Catawba's website was overhauled in the spring of 2011, with an emphasis on usability, ease of navigation, and heightened functionality. One of the major focuses of the redesign was cleaning up and simplifying the structure, layout, and visual treatment throughout the website to help optimize the user experience of site visitors and to help them to find content quickly and easily. Another key goal was to implement social media and networking to an even greater degree than before.
MyCollegeOptions.org is the nation's largest online college planning program. Every summer, its staff of college admissions and internet experts conducts a research-based analysis that measures how well college and university websites provide information to prospective students to assist them through the application process. Of the post-secondary institutions whose sites were graded, just over 40% earned a score of A or B. However, the average score increased significantly from last year.
"To be rated in the top 100 Admissions websites is a powerful statement that the institution has a focus on the cutting-edge," said Don Munce, President of NRCCUA®.
The study grades institutions on a 100-point scale, including functionality, design and technology components. The criteria for the study is reviewed and updated annually by internal experts as well as current high school students. Statistical tests are used to determine the specific EPI criteria to be used and their relative importance to students in college planning. This year's study examined 38 different criteria in four main categories:
- Ability to Find Desired Information
- Personal Contact with Admissions Staff and Students
- Online Interactive Tools
- Website Design and Navigation
Additional information on the EPI study is available at www.nrccua.org/epi-report.
About My College Options®
MyCollegeOptions.org, the nation's largest college planning program, is operated by the National Research Center for College & University Admissions™. For 40 years, this non-profit education research organization, based in Lee's Summit, Missouri, has served as the primary link between high school students and colleges, universities, and the resources they need to succeed. For more information, visit www.mycollegeoptions.org.
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