Colleges are now pushing iPhone apps for their students. Most colleges now offer podcasts of lectures and guest speakers but now there are some very specific as well as a few general apps that will increase your productivity. Apps for all students to check out; Dictionary.com, Periodic table, Chem calculator, Easy task manager, Sparky (for Spark notes), G flash (flash cards) and Scientific calculator. More specialized apps include; Medical Abbreviations, Diagnosis Codes, Gestational Calendar and Cholesterol management algorithm. Check to see if your college has a campus specific app as some have to show you campus maps, course catalogs and on campus events.

Take it from Patrick Powers, a social medialite, mobile and web guru who recently tested out a few campus apps. Here is what he had to say:

While there are thousands of applications available for the iPhone, there are surprisingly few dedicated to promoting the interests of higher education institutions. And among those institutions willing to design, build and publish their own app, the degree of quality varies greatly.

University of Nebraska

Main Navigation
Chant | Videos | Pics | Share

What I Liked:
This app was created by Straxis Technology and is filled with information pertinent to both prospective and current students. In addition to the navigation as listed above, the app includes 11 categories of information through a rotating icon menu — References, Polls, Campus Map, Events, Campus News, Athletics, Twitter, Multimedia, Bulletins, Weather, Links. It’s a pretty slick design and the icons are easy to read.

What I Disliked:
There’s almost too much information. The app takes a pretty broad focus and might benefit from a more targeted menu. It doesn’t help that the rotating icon menu is extremely sensitive to the touch.

College of Charleston

Main Navigation
Welcome | Schedule a Tour | Self-Guided Tour

What I Liked:
The College of Charleston app is clearly geared for external audiences visiting its South Carolina campus. It uses current location to guide the tour and offers details, images, video and map of each location. The videos star students of the university, are well put together and put a great personal touch on an impersonal touring method.

What I Disliked:
The welcome text could use a little sprucing up to entice readers to want more. Here’s an example of what’s up there now: “In 1770, even before the nation was founded, the framework for a university was established in Charleston, South Carolina.”

The College of Saint Rose

Main Navigation
Undergrads | Grads

What I Liked:
Everything. I couldn’t imagine a better college iPhone app than the one designed by the College of Saint Rose. It’s awesome. This app has it all: It’s easy to navigate, provides tons of information, includes a call to action and presents it all within a pretty cool design. The two greatest features, in my opinion, are the “How to Apply” section for both grads and undergrads, as well as the scholarship calculator. Enter your ACT/SAT scores and high school GPA and the app will tell you what kind of scholarships you could expect to receive for attending. Very sweet.

What I Disliked:
Nothing.

Loyola University Maryland

Main Navigation
Bus Schedules | College Town | eSuds | WLOY | Maps

What I Liked:
The design of this app isn’t going to win any awards, but it’s still incredibly functional, especially for current students of the university. The app clearly is geared toward those already attending and providing them with the daily information they may need to make college life just a little bit easier. Users can find where their next class is on a map, plan the best bus route to get there; and check the status of their clothes in the wash — all through the university app.

What I Disliked:
The design is minimal and there isn’t all that much to draw in prospective students.

University of Texas at Austin

Main Navigation
News | Maps | Directory | Multimedia | Events | Landmarks | Sports | Extras | Tower Talk

What I liked:

The app is well designed, well branded and does an excellent job at conveying what makes the University of Texas at Austin a special place. A dedicated section of “extras” provides Texas-related puzzles, songs and traditions — explaining the significance of the Tower, “Hook ‘em Horns,” and Bevo.

What I Dislike:

The news and “tower talk” sections were great, but I couldn’t really determine a difference in the content pushed through either.

University of California, San Diego

Main Navigation

Maps | Directory | Athletics | News | Shuttles | Photos | Multimedia

What I liked:

What is great about UC, San Diego is that they have managed to create not only an Iphone app, but also a Blackberry app as well as an interactive Mobile Website, for all other smart phone users. Perhaps the most used is the “Shuttles” icon because UCSD has a free bus system that includes on-the-spot updates about where and when the next shuttles will pick-up and drop-off. Considering the campus stretches over 1,200 acres, the “Maps” icon is the great for new and prospective students—telling you exactly where and how to navigate yourself on-campus and even nearby!

What I disliked:

Nothing, I liked this one the best!

College Planning Expert Brian Safdari is a strategist when it comes to maximizing college acceptances, reducing out-of-pocket costs as well as assisting and your family successfully navigate through the higher education system. His own story has compelled him to help others in maximizing their education and minimizing the cost. For more on Brian and how The College Planning Experts can help you: sign-up for a FREE workshop nearest you or click contact us.