Presentation by Matt McKillen, Nikki Lemley, and Emilie Cushman at the NAGAP Conference.

1. Integrating Video Interviews into
Existing Admissions Tools

2. Product Manager,
Admissions
Matt McKillen
Hobsons
Associate Director
Specialized Masters
Programs Admissions
Nikki Lemley
Wash U Olin Business
School
Co-founder at Kira Talent
Emilie Cushman
Kira Academic
Introductions

3. Holistic Admissions
“Although programs habitually call their admissions processes
holistic, it is unclear exactly what the process entails, or whether it
remains consistent across programs and institutions”
-CGS 2015 Holistic Review in Graduate Admissions

4. Who is Olin
Business School:
Olin Business
school profile and
background
Integrated
Workflow:
Outline of current
workflow using
Hobsons + Kira
Key Benefits for
Integration:
Big wins for both the
students and staff
Next Steps &
Questions:
What’s next for Olin &
what’s next for
Hobsons and Kira
In this session, we’d like to share how our existing technology has been
strengthened from this integration, how we’ve saved time and resources using
video interviews, and how we’ve been able to use our technology solutions to
improve our incoming cohorts

5. Olin Business School Overview

6. Wash U at a Glance
Medium sized, independent university located in the nation’s center, WashU is
counted among the world’s leaders in teaching, research, patient care and
service to society.
8:1 Student to faculty ratio; 7 schools; decentralized
3,619 faculty (120 at Business School)
12,589 FT students (1,226 graduate students at Olin)

7. Olin Business School Profile - Specialized Masters Programs
Create knowledge
Inspire individuals
Transform business
Focused learning for the right
career.
In-depth knowledge and
specialized skills that aligns
with your passion and maximum
career impact.

8. Olin Business School Profile
MBA Incoming
Class of 2015
SMP Incoming
Class of 2015
Students 141 195
Average GMAT 696 699
Average TOEFL N/A 106
Average GPA 3.40 3.48
Intl: % 35% 75%

9. Olin Business School Profile - Specialized Masters Programs
2,600 2,041 1,140

10. Best Fit Students
It’s important for institutions not only
to make decisions quickly, but also to
make decisions on applicants that are
the right fit for your program.
English Language Insights
We knew from feedback and first-hand
experience that international students
with the strongest communication skills
benefited the most from their
experience at Olin.
Enhanced Integration
Kira Talent has partnered with
education solutions provider
Hobsons to integrate the video into
the online application, resulting in a
more streamlined review process.

11. Admissions Review

12. Hobsons + Kira: The Integrated Experience

13. The Student Experience

15. Dear Nikki,
Thank you for starting your application. All international students applying to the MS in
Finance Program who are not waived from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement must complete a
video interview through Kira Talent. This video interview will allow us to assess your English
language skill level as part of your Olin application.
Here’s your unique Kira Talent Interview link: http://www.kiraacademic.com/interview1234
There are 5-6 questions and you'll need to record a short video response for each one and
submit your responses to complete the video interview. Once you have submitted your
responses, you must enter the date in your application in the Video section. You will not be
able to access the Video section once the date has been entered so do not enter and save
the date prior to completing the video interview. Once you enter the video submission date,
your application can be submitted for consideration.
Sincerely,
Olin Business School

20. Dear Nikki,
Congratulations! It is my distinct honor and pleasure to inform you that you have
been admitted to Olin's MS in Finance class starting in the Fall of 2016.
You will soon receive communication from our Admissions Office that contains your
formal admissions letter and additional information for new students. Should you
have any questions, please contact me at nlemley@wustl.edu or by phone at (314)
935-8469.
Again, congratulations on your admission, and I hope to see you at Olin!
Sincerely,
Megan Waite
Associate Director - Admissions
mwaite@wustl.edu | 314-935-3332

21. Key Benefits to Integration

22. Strengthen Incoming Chorts

23. Find the Best Fit Student
It’s all about the best fit student…
We look at multiple indicators, including
academic performance, leadership potential
and communication skills.
Employers know our students will be
equipped with the knowledge required;
being able to communicate effectively is the
differentiator.

24. Find the Right Balance
High test scores do not translate to
success on campus or even as an alumni
in the work force
Balance between language and test
scores

25. Student Profiles
Lower Scores / Great Interview
- Male student
- 740 GMAT
- 100 TOEFL
- Kira Video
Higher Scores / Poor Interview
- Female student
- 760 GMAT
- 8 IELTS (110-114 TOEFL)
- Kira Video

26. Impact to Admissions Staff

27. Instant Return on Investment
1,140
45 Students with <103 TOEFL
783 Fewer Skype Interviews
73.4 Days Saved

28. Additional Resources
ESL Experts:
Advised on language
skills
Assisted on what to look
for in candidates
Career Advisors:
What level of English are
employers seeking
Profiles of successful
international candidates

29. Improve Existing Technology

30. Integration is Key

31. Next Steps with Hobsons + Kira

32. Olin Next Steps / Feedback
“I would like to keep up to date on what makes good ESL skills
and what doesn’t.”
“I like the idea of having more creative questions rather than
technical questions and removing questions that would
likely be answered in an interview.”
“It may be beneficial to have all international students
complete the video interview, regardless of TOEFL
requirement.”
ESL has commented on the
caliber of English language
skills of our incoming class each
year and how the number of
students requiring additional
English language instruction
continues to shrink.

33. Questions?

34. Holistic Review Session!
Partnering to Support Holistic Review in Graduate Admissions
4E - 4:30 - 5:30
- Steve Smith, Hobsons
- James Crane, NAGAP
- Julie Kent, CGS