At ECON MUNI, an AI chatbot helps the web to manage peak times around admissions and gives applicants answers even when no one is on the phone or in the study department
The admissions process has its own rhythm. The number of questions increases rapidly, nervousness grows and applicants often look for an answer when there is no one on the phone or in the study room. It is there that it is decided whether the university website is just a signpost or a truly functioning service.
The ECON MUNI website is therefore assisted by an AI chatbot on the web from Citymind. It shortcuts applicants to information about admissions, degree programs, sample tests, deadlines or follow-up programs. And it relieves faculty of some of the communication that would otherwise be repetitive at peak times.
What’s most valuable about it
As of August 2024, the chatbot has handled over 7,000 inquiries and more than half of the conversations have taken place outside of business hours. That’s not an extra detail. This is exactly the point where digital accessibility makes the difference between calmer decision-making and unnecessary frustration.
Public reference from the faculty management
“Some time ago, we introduced a chatbot 🤖 for applicants to study.
💬 Most common topics?
The interactions increased as the admissions process approached, especially at night when no one was on the phone at the faculty. I hope this is how the chatbot helped our applicants to sleep more soundly! 🛌
Sylva Žáková Talpová, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Administration at MUNI”
Unanswered questions as insight
ECON MUNI also shows that unanswered questions do not have to mean negative sentiment. They are often very useful signals. They show what people are really addressing, where communication is fragmented, and what topics are begging for better explanation.
Recurring issues in AI surveys include questions around application priorities, multiple faculty applications, follow-up master’s programs, English programs, and waivers for admissions.
When a chatbot helps applicants to sleep more soundly during the most stressful part of the admissions period, it’s actually a very accurate portrayal of what good university communication should do.