The Slate decision management system is streamlined and comprehensive, allowing for the release of electronic decisions to application records on an individual or batch basis. The system uses reader evaluations, rankings, and other inputs to make decisions that can be released immediately or scheduled for future release. Applicants can have multiple, sequential decisions - for example, a waitlisted student who is later admitted and enrolled. All decision data is easily accessible through queries and can be used to drive business rules and communications.

Significant safeguards are incorporated into the decision-release process to ensure the security and accuracy of the released decisions. Decision letters are tied to specific decision codes, meaning that an admit letter managed in Slate can never be sent to an applicant coded as a deny. Decisions are not sent through email. Instead, applicants are notified through a secure portal where they can view decision information in a more controlled environment.

The decision process consists of three stages: preparation, automation, and release. Each phase is made up of several steps.

Stage One: Decision Prep

To streamline the post-decision process and ensure success, it is critical to prepare and incorporate the following elements:

Step 1. Decision Codes: Decision codes are short, concise labels that identify different types of decisions. These codes categorize decisions and are a key component in the post-decision rule-building process.

Step 2. Decision Reasons: While decision reasons are optional, adding a decision reason can be a practical data point when querying decision-related information and narrowing down search results, and providing more specific information about a student's decision. 

Step 3. Decision Letters: Decision letters are the official communication sent to applicants to inform them of their admission decision and any additional information that the applicant may need to know.

Step 4. Reply Forms: Reply forms are used by applicants to respond to their admission decision. They are used to accept or decline an offer.

Step 5. Status Update Deliver Campaigns: The Decision notification status update email is used to automatically notify applicants when a new decision letter is available for viewing on the applicant status page. The email will include a link to the applicant status page, where their decision letter will be available for viewing, and brief instructions on accessing and viewing the decision letter.

Stage Two: Decision Automation

The creation of post-decision release rules is designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the entire process. These rules are configured to add a reply form to the status page of admitted students, allowing them to respond to the offer of admission in a timely and convenient manner. Upon receipt of the student's response, additional rules are triggered to automatically generate new decision codes and activities, which are stored in the applicant's record for tracking and analysis. The post-decision release rules streamline the process of managing and tracking applicant decisions, providing admission teams with real-time data and analytics on the status of each admitted student. These features help institutions to make informed decisions, optimize processes, and ultimately support the enrollment of highly qualified students.

The completion of a reply form by an applicant initiates the activation of specific decision management rules. These rules are designed to respond to the applicant's response in a manner that supports the goals of the admission process. Two distinct scenarios can occur based on the applicant's response to the offer of admission.

Step 1. Reply Form Rule: This rule will automate the display of the reply form on the applicant's status page.

Accept

For applicants who accept the offer of admission, the system is configured to activate a set of rules that support the matriculation process. These rules include automatically creating new decision codes, assigning additional checklist items, and displaying relevant information on the applicant's status page.

Step 2a. Deposit Pending Decision Rule

Step 2b. Enrollment Deposit Rule

Step 2c. Deposit Paid Decision Rule (Final Decision)

Decline

A different set of rules are activated for applicants who decline the offer of admission.

Step 3a. Admit/Decline Decision Rule

Stage Three: Decision Release

With all the decision-related components built, it's time to begin assigning initial decisions to applicants using the Decision Release module. Your institution will use this module to confirm decisions, assign decision letters, and make the decisions available to applicants. The Decision Release module is a key tool for communicating the final decision to each applicant and should be used with care and precision.

Step 1. Add Provisional Decisions

Step 2. Confirm Decisions

Step 3. Assign Decision Letters

Step 4. Test the Entire Process

Step 5. Release Decision