Axis is a platform designed to streamline the college application process for students, providing tools for organization, tracking, and preparation. It features a centralized database of colleges, an application tracker, and resources to guide students through the process. The website incorporates notifications for upcoming deadlines and allows for extended functionalities like document uploads, collaboration, and AI-driven tools.
- User Registration/Login: Students can create accounts and log in securely.
- College Database: A centralized database of colleges with key details like application deadlines, requirements, and links.
- Application Tracker: Students can add colleges to their tracker and monitor the status (e.g., "Not Started," "In Progress," "Submitted").
- Resource Hub: Access to articles, FAQs, and links for SAT/ACT prep, essay writing tips, scholarships, etc.
- Notification System: Notify students of upcoming deadlines or changes in their application tracker.
- Collaboration Features: Allow mentors or parents to view application progress and provide feedback.
- AI Essay Reviewer: Use AI to provide feedback on essays.
- Document Upload: Students can upload required documents (e.g., transcripts, essays) and associate them with specific colleges.
- Recommendation Letter Manager: Enable students to request, track, and send recommendation letters.
- Integration with College APIs: Pull real-time data on deadlines and requirements from college APIs.
- Custom Dashboards: Personalized dashboards showing key stats like deadlines, tasks, and completed steps.
- Mobile App: Create a mobile version of the platform for ease of use.
| 🏁 Week | 📌 Task |
|---|---|
| 1 | Define project scope, assign team roles, and research college application workflows. |
| - Identify the main features and functionalities required. | |
| - Assign roles to team members based on their expertise. | |
| - Research the college application process and common pain points. | |
| - Gather insights from students and counselors for user needs. | |
| -------- | -------- |
| 2 | Set up repositories, design wireframes, and finalize the tech stack. |
| - Create GitHub repositories for version control. | |
| - Design UI wireframes for key application screens. | |
| - Select the tech stack (Frontend: React/Vue, Backend: Spring Boot, Database: MySQL). | |
| - Define API endpoints and database schema structure. | |
| -------- | -------- |
| 3 | Set up the backend with Spring Boot and database schema in MySQL. |
| - Initialize Spring Boot backend and configure dependencies. | |
| - Design and implement MySQL database schema. | |
| - Establish backend API routes for key functionalities. | |
| - Set up Postman or similar tool for API testing. | |
| -------- | -------- |
| 4 | Develop user authentication and integrate a basic college database. |
| - Implement user authentication using JWT and OAuth. | |
| - Create user roles (students, counselors, admins). | |
| - Populate a basic college database with relevant details (name, deadlines, requirements). | |
| - Connect frontend to backend authentication endpoints. | |
| -------- | -------- |
| 5 | Implement the application tracker with CRUD operations. |
| - Develop UI for users to add, edit, and delete college applications. | |
| - Implement backend logic for CRUD operations. | |
| - Enable filtering and sorting of applications based on deadlines and status. | |
| - Store application progress updates in the database. | |
| -------- | -------- |
| 6 | Develop the resource hub and link it to relevant content. |
| - Design a structured knowledge hub layout. | |
| - Add articles, guides, and FAQs about the college application process. | |
| - Allow users to bookmark and categorize resources. | |
| - Implement a search and filter system for easy navigation. | |
| -------- | -------- |
| 7 | Integrate the notification system and refine the UI/UX design. |
| - Implement email and in-app notifications for deadlines and reminders. | |
| - Enhance UI/UX based on user feedback and testing. | |
| - Improve mobile responsiveness and accessibility. | |
| - Add animations and transitions for better user experience. | |
| -------- | -------- |
| 8 | Start implementing stretch goals (begin with document upload and collaboration). |
| - Enable users to upload and store documents securely. | |
| - Implement document-sharing features with counselors or mentors. | |
| - Develop collaboration tools like commenting or suggestions on applications. | |
| - Begin optimizing performance for better load times. | |
| -------- | -------- |
| 9 | Conduct extensive testing and debugging. |
| - Perform unit and integration testing for all major features. | |
| - Conduct user testing and gather feedback. | |
| - Fix identified bugs and optimize code. | |
| - Stress test the application under various loads. | |
| -------- | -------- |
| 10 | Finalize the app, prepare documentation, and deploy the app on a hosting platform. |
| - Write comprehensive documentation for users and developers. | |
| - Deploy the app on a cloud service (AWS, Firebase, or Heroku). | |
| - Conduct a final round of testing post-deployment. | |
| - Launch and collect initial user feedback for future improvements. |
- Frontend: Thymeleaf (for dynamic HTML rendering)
- Backend: Spring Boot with Maven (Java 21)
- Database: MySQL
- APIs: REST APIs for data retrieval and notifications
- Version Control: GitHub
- Testing: JUnit and Postman
- Deployment: AWS EC2 or Heroku
- Notification Service: Firebase Cloud Messaging or email notifications via SMTP
Spring Boot (Backend Development)
Thymeleaf (Frontend Development)
MySQL (Database)
Firebase Cloud Messaging (Notifications)
JUnit (Testing)
Hosting and Deployment
Version Control (GitHub)
- GitHub Docs
- Git Basics - Git SCM ### Git Commands
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
git branch |
Lists all the branches |
git branch "branch name" |
Creates a new branch |
git checkout "branch name" |
Switches to the specified branch |
git checkout -b "branch name" |
Combines branch creation and checkout |
git add . |
Stages all changed files |
git commit -m "Testing123" |
Commits with a message |
git push origin "branch" |
Pushes to the specified branch |
git pull origin "branch" |
Pulls updates from the specified branch |
UI/UX Design (Figma)
Build Automation (Maven)
- Common App: Centralized application submission but limited tracking.
- Coalition Application: Includes document storage and collaboration but lacks Axis's task management.
- ApplyTexas: Primarily for Texas public universities, limited in broader application tracking.
- Cappex: College search platform with basic tracking but lacks real-time updates.
- Naviance: Focused on academic planning rather than full application management.
- X-Axis (Project Manager): Shreya S Ramani
- Y-Axis (Industry Mentor):
- Quadrant 1: (Frontend)
- Quadrant 2: (Backend)
- Quadrant 3: (Frontend)
- Quadrant 4: (Backend)