Bolt Application Reader is a premium feature subject to Element451's usage-based pricing.
Overview
The Bolt Application Reader is a powerful tool built into the Decisions module that helps streamline your application review process. It acts as the “first reader” of an application, analyzing submitted materials and scoring the decision based on your defined criteria and AI instructions. This ensures a fast, consistent, and objective first review, allowing your admissions team to focus on engaging with applicants rather than getting bogged down in manual evaluations.
How It Works
Bolt Application Reader is disabled by default and must be enabled by an administrator in Billing settings.
Stage-Based Execution – Choose which stage(s) of your Decision Board will execute the AI-powered review. When an application reaches a selected stage, Bolt Application Reader activates.
Scoring Based on Your Criteria – The AI uses the criteria you’ve established in Decisions, along with specific AI instructions for each criterion. If any AI instructions are left blank, that criterion will be skipped.
AI Analysis – Bolt Application Reader assigns a score, visible in the Bolt Analysis column of the Decisions table and within the Decision header.
Detailed Summary + Analysis – Clicking on the AI Analysis chip in the Decision header reveals the details of the application review.
Embedded Document References: References to a student’s application and uploaded documents, such as essays, appear as clickable chips within the AI analysis. Clicking a chip opens a side sheet, allowing instant access to the relevant document while keeping the AI evaluation in view.
Final Review by Staff – Bolt Application Reader's analysis is intended to be a guide, and human reviewers make the final admissions decision.
AI Analysis & Scoring
Once the AI has evaluated an application, you’ll see a Bolt Analysis indicator in the Decisions table and the Decision Header. Bolt Application Reader classifies applications into five categories:
Highly Qualified
Qualified
Neutral
Unqualified
Highly Unqualified
Viewing the AI Analysis
Click on the AI Analysis chip in the Decision header.
A side panel will open with a:
Summary of the AI’s findings.
Analysis details of how each criterion was evaluated and scored.
Setting Up Bolt Application Reader
Before Bolt Application Reader can score applications, you must (1) enable the reader at your Decision Board Stage(s) and (2) configure AI Instructions for your evaluation criteria.
Enable the Reader at the Decision Stage
Note: You can enable Bolt Application Reader for as many stages as you’d like—but remember, it's a usage-based feature. Credits will be used each time the reader is executed. To manage costs, we recommend configuring your Decision Board so that the AI reviews each application only once.
Go to Applications > Decisions > Decision Settings
Click the Board tab
Find the stage (displayed as a card) where you want to enable the AI reader
Click the three horizontal dots icon in the top-right corner of the stage card
Select Enable AI App Reader
Once enabled, a Bolt icon (orange lightning bolt) will appear on the card.
Adding AI Instructions
Go to Applications > Decisions > Decision Settings.
Click the Criteria tab.
Find the criteria for which you want to add AI instructions and edit them.
Important: Bolt Application Reader will not score if AI instructions are not provided for a criterion.
Go to the General tab in the Edit Criteria side panel.
Locate AI Instructions and enter specific guidance for how the AI should evaluate that criteria item.
Repeat for each criteria item as needed.
Pro Tip: Be clear and specific with your AI Instructions! Think of them as directions you’d give to a human reviewer to ensure consistency in scoring.
Enabling the Bolt Application Reader
By default, the AI Application Reader is disabled, as it is subject to usage-based billing. An admin must enable it before use.
How to Enable Bolt Application Reader
1. Navigate to General Settings > Billing.
2. Locate the AI Application Reader option.
3. Enable the feature.