University launches on-line, interactive applications process

Mississippi State recently implemented a new on-line admission form, adding it to the World Wide Web one evening. The next morning, without publicity or fanfare, Mississippi State had two new applicants for admission.

"The high school students had been exploring the Internet, stumbled upon the form, and applied for admission on the spot," said Bennet George, manager of the university's information service, MSUInfo.

Now the university hopes many others discover its on-line application for admission. The interactive process allows students who have questions to ask them by electronic mail, receive answers, and continue to fill out the application. The process also provides electronic links to the university's undergraduate catalog for information about courses and majors.

"Using the World Wide Web, anyone anywhere in the world can access Mississippi State's application form," said George. Those applying must have a web browser such as Mosaic, Lynx, or Netscape.

George believes that Mississippi State is among a few universities with an interactive electronic admissions form. "A few institutions have electronic forms posted on the World Wide Web, but often the forms must be downloaded, filled out manually, and mailed in," he said. Mississippi State's process eliminates most of those manual steps.

Students who complete the electronic form receive immediate notification electronically that their application has been received. To verify the application, they are mailed a signature card to be returned to the university.

To access the application form, find Mississippi State's home page at the Universal Resource Locator (URL) http://www.msstate.edu/ and select "General Information." The application form is found under "Information for Prospective Students."