Checklist Groups

Groups are sets of checklist items that are added or removed from specific applications together. Not every checklist item will fit neatly into a group, but we still recommend assigning every item a group—even if that group only has a single item in it. As an exception, school-scoped checklist items cannot be assigned a group.

⭐ Best Practice: Assign Every Item a Group

We recommend assigning every checklist item a group. Checklist items that are assigned as a part of a group will be automatically removed when an application no longer meets the criteria for that group of items (as defined in your checklist rules). In contrast, checklist items that are assigned individually will remain on an application’s checklist until manually removed by a Slate user with the appropriate permissions. You may have some checklist groups with only 1 checklist item in them, and that is totally fine!

Some common examples of groups are:

• All Applicants

• First Year Applicants

• Transfer Applicants

• International Applicants

• Visiting Applicants

Groups are created by typing the desired group name in the Group (Optional) setting when configuring a checklist item. All items that have the same text in the Group (Optional) setting will be grouped together. Since this setting uses free-text rather than a select list, be sure to double-check that you are using the same name across all items of the same group.

One approach to plotting your checklist groups is to begin with a list of checklist items and materials, then extrapolate. Ask: “Who is required to submit this item?” When multiple types of applicants are expected to submit any given item, try to find the commonality.

For example, you might require Proof of English Language Proficiency for international undergraduate first-year applicants, international undergraduate transfer applicants, international visiting applicants, and international graduate applicants. The commonality between these applicants is their international status.

🤔 Common Confusion: Group or Section?

While commonly confused, groups and sections serve distinct purposes. Groups determine what checklist items are added to an application together. Sections are visual or procedural distinctions between checklist items and are intended to help organize and split out the checklist, if needed, for external display. They are generally used to divide a checklist into categories such as “Admissions Checklist” and “Enrollment Checklist”. You can think of groups as internal and functional, and sections as external and visual. For more information about Sections, see Custom Checklist Sections.

Here are some typical examples of checklist items, who might be required to submit them, and the groups they might belong to: