Background

ESSEC Business School, founded in 1907, is a leader in business education, offering a blend of academic learning and hands-on experience with a focus on multicultural dialogue and innovation. Known for its rigorous admissions standards, ESSEC partners with Pearson France to manage a high volume of applications across multiple master’s and doctorate programs.

Challenges

ESSEC and Pearson France needed a robust solution to handle their growing application volume. Key challenges included:

• High Application Volume: Processing hundreds of applications weekly required a streamlined digital solution to replace manual data handling.
• GDPR Compliance: With stringent data privacy requirements, the solution needed end-to-end encryption to secure applicant information.
• Multi-Stage Approval Process: A three-stage application process, including intelligent branching and data verification, required an adaptable platform.
• Real-Time Reporting and Monitoring: Efficient tracking and reporting of application data were essential for the admissions team to make informed decisions.

Solution

Edvanta developed a custom application portal for ESSEC, enabling efficient application management and secure data processing. Key features included:

• GDPR-Compliant Data Encryption: The portal employs two-way encryption to safeguard applicant data, ensuring compliance with GDPR guidelines.
• Three-Stage Approval System with Intelligent Branching: The platform’s multi-stage process automates communication between ESSEC and Pearson France, simplifying data verification and approval.
• Salesforce Integration: Seamless integration with Salesforce enables smooth data exchange, ensuring that the admissions team has up-to-date applicant information.
• User-Friendly Interface and Smart Reporting: The intuitive portal design allows applicants to track their progress, while real-time reporting provides ESSEC with actionable insights on application trends.

Results

The custom application portal delivered measurable benefits for ESSEC Business School:

• High Volume Processing: Over 1,500 applications have been processed, supporting admissions for eight master’s and doctorate programs.
• Efficient Multi-Stage Approvals: The portal has successfully handled over 200 completed admissions, demonstrating the platform’s scalability and reliability.
• Enhanced Data Security: With 1,600+ user records processed securely, the portal ensures data protection while maintaining GDPR compliance.
• Improved Application Experience: Applicants benefit from a transparent process with clear tracking, reducing the need for manual follow-ups.

Conclusion

The custom application portal developed for ESSEC Business School by Edvanta has transformed the admissions process, providing a secure, scalable solution that meets the institution’s data privacy and efficiency needs. As ESSEC continues to expand, the portal’s features will support further innovation in digital admissions.