OpenApply

OpenApply is an admissions platform for schools, combining family-facing application tools with workflows for admissions teams. It is best suited to international and independent schools, including school groups and schools serving Greater China. Its breadth across the admissions journey is compelling, but schools must plan for a multi-week implementation and fees tied to enrolment.

Overview

OpenApply takes families from initial enquiry through application and re-enrolment, with tools to track progress, receive updates and register for school events. For schools, it covers communications, document collection, application review, decisions and enrolment. That makes it a fit for institutions seeking one system across the process, rather than a tool limited to collecting applications.

Schools can export applicant and family information as PDF or Excel CSV, and all stored information is exportable. A public API provides secure access to data and files. These options support data portability, though schools should still assess how the API and integrations fit their existing systems.

Key features

Admissions workflow and integrations

The workflow spans communications, document collection, review, decisions and enrolment, while families can follow their applications and handle re-enrolment. Integrations include payment services such as Flywire, Alipay, WeChat, Stripe, PayPal, Braintree and CyberSource; school systems such as PowerSchool, iSAMS, Engage and ManageBac+; and services including Finalsite, I-DAT, WeChat SSO, SAO and Baidu Map. This breadth is relevant to schools with varied payment and school-system needs, but the specific connections a school needs should be checked before adoption.

The School Group Dashboard is an optional paid upgrade, so group-oriented buyers should account for that separately rather than assume it is part of the core subscription.

Implementation, hosting and security

OpenApply says it builds application forms within 24–48 hours, while typical implementation takes 4–6 weeks. Schools planning a transition should allow for that setup period. The product is hosted on Amazon Web Services: mainland China accounts are hosted in Beijing and other accounts in Montreal. OpenApply states that it is ISO 27001 compliant and uses SSL encryption between users and its systems by default; Faria says its systems follow GDPR, PIPEDA, COPPA, UK DPA 2018 and Chinese Cybersecurity Law requirements.

Pricing

OpenApply is paid software with pricing on request. Fees are based on enrolled student numbers, so the cost will vary with school size. The annual school subscription is billed in advance and is non-refundable. Two-year subscriptions are paid upfront with a 5% discount; three-year subscriptions are paid upfront with a 10% discount. The longer commitments reduce the stated fees but require schools to pay for multiple years in advance. The School Group Dashboard is an optional paid upgrade.

Platforms

OpenApply is a web-based application, listed for macOS, Windows and the web. It requires an internet connection and a modern browser with JavaScript enabled, so it is not suited to admissions work that must continue offline. Support is provided by email 24 hours a day Monday through Friday, with free one-to-one online setup training; the homepage also advertises email and Help Centre support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Who it's for

OpenApply is aimed at international and independent schools, new schools, Greater China schools and school groups. It makes most sense for schools that need both family application tools and staff workflows through enrolment, particularly where the listed payment and school-system integrations match existing operations. Schools seeking predictable published pricing, offline use or a short setup should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Covers communications, documents, review, decisions and enrolment alongside family applications, re-enrolment and progress tracking.
• Pros: Applicant and family information can be exported, and a public API provides secure access to data and files.
• Pros: Integrations span payment services, school systems and other education-related services.
• Cons: Pricing depends on enrolled student numbers and requires a request, making costs harder to compare upfront.
• Cons: Annual fees are non-refundable, while discounted two- and three-year terms require payment upfront.
• Cons: Typical implementation takes 4–6 weeks, and the web application depends on internet access and a modern JavaScript-enabled browser.

Alternatives

For simple surveys, forms or quizzes with a free plan and limited responses, SurveyMonkey is a narrower alternative. Schools comparing admissions products can also consider WebAdMIT, which has a free plan and web and API platforms, or Common App, a freemium web and mobile option. OpenEMIS Admissions is free open-source software with web and self-hosted platforms, which may suit schools prioritizing a no-licensing-fee option. AdmitCue and BlueBic Online Admissions are freemium web alternatives. Gecko is a paid option with web, mobile and API platforms. Embark is another paid alternative with web and mobile platforms and custom pricing.

Browse Admissions Software and Education CRM Software for more options.

Verdict

OpenApply is a strong fit for international and independent schools that want family-facing admissions alongside staff workflows through enrolment, with exports and broad integration options. Choose it for that end-to-end scope; look elsewhere if you need offline access, a faster implementation or pricing you can assess without a request.