SmarterSelect Reviews

“Good tool, we will continue to use it

Pros

We were able to tailor and personalize each of our applications. The program's onboarding process was smooth. And, we appreciated the features available for use with the evaluators.

Cons

Some parts of the exporting system are not as user-friendly as the rest of the platform.

“It needs more customization options

Pros

I can't really say much. I don't have anything else to add so I'll just ramble, which is part of the issue.

Cons

Applicants had difficulty uploading content for the portfolio and selecting filters by categories was also challenging.

“Great value, but a bit tough to learn

Pros

I don't have any comparison with other software but I think SmarterSelect offers great value, especially for smaller organizations. It has all the necessary functions.

Cons

Im not sure if I have explored all the tools this software offers. I don't like the long pause when switching between options. I also wish that when you leave a record, it won't leave a separate tab open. It would be really convenient to have multiple views open at once.

“useful data storage tool

Pros

The data storage and the ability to import and export applicant details are great features.

Cons

It's quite a complex process. It can take 3 to 4 hours for someone to complete.

“Works great for scholarships, grants, and more

Pros

The best part is definitely the ability to download PDFs of all submissions, making it easy to work offline.

Cons

The menu system is a bit clunky until you get really familiar with navigating it.

“Amazing management system for scholarships

Pros

Very user-friendly and can be customized to meet the needs of our scholarship applications and reviewers.

Cons

I wish it were easier to quickly view an application and see which sections have been completed.

“SmarterSelect has elevated our foundation

Pros

The software lets me easily create a unique scholarship application that reflects the donor's wishes. The fact that I can still access data from past years helps me stay in touch with our recipients.

Cons

The integration into our business was not much difficult. Right out of the box, there's a steep learning curve but the customer support team is very responsive and helpful. I've suggested several improvements over the years and SmarterSelect has been quick to listen and, when possible, implement those changes in updates.

“Not so user-friendly

Pros

I didn't really find much I liked. It wasn't very user-friendly for our staff or for the applicants filling it out for our annual awards ceremony.

Cons

There wasn't enough training. The staff who were here when we first started using the program are no longer with us. I was told there would only be one training session and I had to request another one. Customer service was great, though especially since I had no idea how to generate reports.

“it does what we need

Pros

The application evaluation feature is definitely useful.

Cons

Changing and updating programs and forms can be tricky. Assigning evaluators can also be confusing and the program doesn't always work as expected the first time you set it up.

“Perfect software for managing my students' assignments

Pros

SmarterSelect makes it simple to create custom forms, evaluate and assign students to programs and email students directly through the platform.

Cons

It can be challenging to manage applications when multiple evaluations need to be considered.

“Amazing! Love it!

Pros

As an AGC chapter I love that we were able to get this product at a great price. Turning one scholarship into two makes things easier for both the students and the evaluators.

Cons

Customizing programs from the library can be difficult and I didn't like that I had to delete sections and start over. I also didn't like that I couldn't copy a question and paste it into another program.

“Works for us

Pros

Everything is online, which is great for a statewide group of applicants and scholarship reviewers.

Cons

Sometimes the interface is confusing, with too many windows open at once.

“Very easy and helpful

Pros

The product was easy to use for our initiative's applicants, the evaluators reviewing the proposals and the initiative staff who managed the process and extracted data for our management reviews and decisions. This was our first time using it and we didn't experience any system breakdowns.

Cons

Nothing much to say here.

“Great application tracking tool

Pros

Love how easy it is to find an applicant.

Cons

I wish there were a way to make adjustments to an application after it's gone live. If there is a way to do that, I'm not sure how.

“A good choice for smaller organizations

Pros

I love that it's all online and that users can have multiple roles, this is crucial for our small-town organization.

Cons

The reporting after someone receives a grant is not integrated into a single grant application. It would be nice if it were a one stop application.