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HOW CAN THE APP ENSURE THAT THE INFORMATION REMAINS UP TO DATE AND RELEVANT

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A key challenge for any app is maintaining up-to-date and relevant information over time as the broader context changes. Here are some strategies an app can employ:

Establish Processes and Policies for Regular Updates

The foundation is setting clear internal processes and policies for routinely reviewing and updating content. The app developers should determine reasonable timeframes for updates (e.g. weekly, monthly) based on the type of information and how rapidly it is likely to change. They should also establish guidelines for what merits an update and when to retire outdated content. Having documented processes makes it more systemic rather than ad hoc.

Leverage User Feedback Mechanisms

Apps should incorporate ways for users to easily provide feedback, including a comments section on articles or the ability to flag content as outdated. This allows users themselves to help identify where information needs refreshing. Developers can then prioritize updating based on user input. It also encourages a two-way dialogue where users feel heard. Analytics on user behavior like page views can also point to content in need of freshening.

Monitor External Data Sources and Events

Much information is derived from or impacted by external data sources, news outlets, organizations, or current events. The app needs processes to routinely check these external sources for new developments and changes. For time-sensitive topics, this may mean daily monitoring. Designated staff can be tasked with following relevant hashtags or tracking government, industry or community sources. Alerts can also be set up through tools that monitor for updates to online documents or databases the app utilizes.

Conduct Periodic Content Audits

In addition to reacting to updates, the app should periodically audit all existing content to proactively identify information that is no longer accurate or complete. Again, newer articles may need more frequent review than older steady content. Staff can be assigned different sections to evaluate with specific criteria or rubrics based on the type of material. Outdated factual details, obsolete statistics, incomplete topics and redundant pages can then be prioritized for fixes.

Maintain Transparency in Versioning

When content is updated, the app should clearly note what was changed and when through embedded editorial notes, history tracking or versioning. This maintains transparency about the living, evolving nature of information. It reassures users that staying current is a priority and that they can trust the resource. It also provides accountability and documentation if questions ever arise about what information was present at a given time in the past.

Solicit Input from Subject Matter Experts

For topics requiring specialized expertise, the app can develop relationships with outside experts who are actively working in the field. These experts can be periodically consulted or asked to review sections to ensure accuracy from an authoritative perspective. Some may even be willing to contribute new material as their work advances. Their expert feedback helps validate if the right information is being conveyed or flag need for improvements.

Analyze Traffic and Engagement Over Time

It is also telling to analyze how users are engaging with different pages or sections over extended time periods. Static or declining traffic could mean the information is no longer compelling and warrants freshening. In contrast, consistently popular pages may simply need minor routine updates. These analytics help continuously refine editorial priorities and resource allocation for maintenance.

Provide Context on Information Staleness

For articles and pages that cannot be freshly updated with the latest intel in real-time due to limits in staff or resources, the app should provide clear labeling on the intended freshness or publication date. Users thus have appropriate expectations on the timeframe of the information presented. Perhaps an obvious “Last Updated in 2018” note for example, to acknowledge the content reflects that point in time.

Consider Outsourcing Select Maintenance

If updating major sections requires deep subject matter expertise that exceeds in-house resources, the app could potentially outsource some content development or auditing to specialized independent contractors. This helps supplement internal capacities and tap relevant skills more efficiently for the most knowledge-intensive content areas. Contracts would need clear expectations set around deliverables, timeline and quality standards.

Solicit User-Generated Updates

In a more collaborative approach, the app may allow registered users meeting certain qualifications to directly propose or submit minor updates and corrections that are then vetted by editors before publication. This crowdsources some maintenance work from the user community while still ensuring editorial oversight. Policies would be required around transparency, review processes, and third party content disclaimers.

Through proactive planning and leveraging both internal workflows with external monitoring, feedback and expertise, an app can systemically work to evolve its information landscape and maintain up-to-date relevance over the long run. Regularly reviewing content and refining processes based on usage insights also helps optimize how well the content serves its audiences.

BOSTON COLLEGE APPLICATION 2023 CLOSING DATE

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Boston College utilizes a single choice early action application process, and the closing date for the application is January 1st, 2023. While this closing date may seem early to some prospective applicants, there are several strategic reasons why BC utilizes this January 1st deadline.

First, it is important to consider the timing and workload of the admissions review process. After the January 1st deadline passes, BC’s Office of Undergraduate Admission must read, evaluate, and make decisions on the thousands of applications they receive for the upcoming fall semester. This process takes months to complete thoroughly and carefully. If BC pushed the deadline later into the spring, it would significantly compress the timeline for the admission staff to conduct their reviews. It typically takes 6-8 weeks alone just to read each application cover-to-cover once. Pushing the deadline back by even just a month would seriously jeopardize their ability to finish reviewing in time to meet student deadline for replies in late March and April.

The January 1st date also allows ample time for admitted students to make their enrollment decisions by the national candidate reply date of May 1st. Given BC practices single-choice early action, admitted students are not obligated to commit, but do need time to evaluate financial aid packages, visit campuses, and select one college. Moving the deadline later would squeeze this decision window and potentially disadvantage BC if students rushed choices or felt pressured to commit without fully exploring options. The timing as is leaves roughly four months for students to thoughtfully consider offers.

In addition, utilizing an early deadline positions BC advantageously during the recruitment season when competing with peer institutions for top students. Many high-achieving prospective applicants opt to apply early action or early decision to flagship state schools and other highly selective private colleges. These programs often have even earlier deadlines in October or November. By keeping its date in January, BC gives students looking to maximize their options a bit more flexibility to apply elsewhere first, but still benefits from being one of the first major decisions rendered each year. An overwhelming percentage of those admitted through early rounds end up enrolling. From both recruitment and yield standpoints, January 1st is an optimal timeframe.

Some may argue a later deadline could attract more applicants by casting a wider net. BC has found this to be an unnecessary risk given their target pool and strong brand reputation nationally. The university typically receives over 20,000 applications each year for around 3,000 spots in the class. They are not wanting for volume and yield rates remain very healthy. Pushing the date further into the unknown of spring admissions could disrupt existing dynamics without conferring real benefits in terms of applicant quality or numbers. Their applicant pool has proven itself both large and talented already under current policies.

There are also logistical benefits to maintaining consistency with past years. Prospective applicants, families, and counselors have now come to expect the January 1st date after it has been in place for multiple cycles. Making an abrupt change could generate confusion. Students may scramble to meet new deadlines or regret not applying sooner had they known. Counselors also appreciate the predictability to advise their caseloads appropriately. The Office of Admission staff likewise appreciates having a set calendar and avoiding disruptions to their operating rhythms. Traditions in this way support a smooth recruitment experience on both sides.

While early January seems rushed to some, utilizing this single choice early action deadline has clearly proven successful for Boston College. The timeline supports a careful, multi-month review by admissions while still allowing accepted students breathing room for decision making. It also positions BC desirably in the early pool against competing schools. Given excellent yields and no real lack of applicants under the established system, there appears minimal incentive to modify what continues working well to bring in each outstanding freshman class. January 1st continues serving both BC and prospective students optimally for another cycle.