Terra Dotta: Amazing Software

I am not sure what the percentage is of universities currently using the Terra Dotta Software, but it seems to me that this is an amazing and invaluable tool for orchestrating an international office. Terra Dotta is study abroad software that allows you to organize all offered programs, student applications, and updates onto one convenient location on the web. Students can search the system with very exact and precise parameters in order to find the study abroad program that matches their requirements. Administrators can create checklists of what papers and documents each student needs to sign, as well as keep tabs on students who are studying abroad by following each phase of the study abroad application process (There are six according to Terra Dotta- The advising phase, pre-decision, post-decision, active, returnee, and alumni).


According to the Terra Dotta website, about 230 institutions and businesses use the software. This definitely seems like an amazing feature, especially for those people who struggle to stay organized (both students and staff alike). But I wonder- would there be a tendency to rely too much on the Terra Dotta software in assisting students who are deciding to study abroad? Knowing some students, they may feel that by simply using the search features of the software, that they do not need as much advising, since they have already chosen which institution and program that they want to attend. Similarly, would some staff rely on Terra Dotta to choose the program for the student, instead of guiding them in the decision process.


These are questions that, really, would need to be addressed by a university who does decide to use the product. Beside the cost of the software (apparently $60,000 per year in 2009), it appears that there is little downside to using Terra Dotta. Knowing that there are hundreds of different study programs that can be offered by universities and outside providers, this is a great tool that helps students avoid the headache of wading through all of these programs, which today seem to be in infinite supply. With the ever expanding business that is studying abroad, this product could potentially open students and staff to a wider range of programs than ever before. This, subsequently, could then mean even more participation in students studying abroad.

I am interested to hear more about this software, and what universities who use it like (or dislike) about it. Signing off for now, have a good weekend! Here are some links if you want to find out more about Terra Dotta:
Terra Dotta website: http://www.terradotta.com/
Article about the 'business' of studying abroad: http://chronicle.com/article/The-Booming-Business-of-Int/44244/


P.S.- C'mon England!!! I'll be rooting for the Three Lions tomorrow in the quarterfinals against Italy.


Rule #5 for Breaking into the Field of International Education: Do your research! Know what programs and software international offices use and become familiar with them.


LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/zack-wright/49/b26/265