Inspiration
Choosing the right college is one of the most important decisions for students, yet the process can often feel overwhelming and stressful. I wanted to create a solution that makes the journey not only easier but also engaging and interactive. Inspired by modern matchmaking apps, I envisioned UniMatch a platform that helps students find their ideal university in a fun and intuitive way.
What it does
UniMatch simplifies the college search process by offering:
- Personalized College Matches – Swipe through universities tailored to your preferences.
- Future plan Virtual Campus Tours & Video Chats – Connect with current students to get real insights.
- Future plan Campus Tour Scheduling – Easily book in-person visits.
- Future plan Upcoming Events – Stay updated on key events from your favorite schools.
- Future plan Popular Majors & Programs – Discover top areas of study at each university.
- Future plan Application Deadlines – Never miss an important date.
How I built it
- Frontend: Built with React (TypeScript) and styled using MUI (Material-UI) for a clean and modern UI.
- Backend: Firebase Firestore for storing user data, liked universities, and preferences.
- APIs: Integrated the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard API to fetch real-time university data.
- Navigation: Used React Router for seamless page transitions and dynamic routing.
Challenges I ran into
- Data Accuracy: Some universities had missing or incomplete data, requiring additional filtering.
Accomplishments that I proud of
- Successfully built a user-friendly and visually appealing interface.
- Enabled personalized college recommendations with real-time API data.
- Created an idea of scheduling system for campus tours, improving accessibility for students.
- Designed a feature to connect prospective students with campus ambassadors and life idea.
What I learned
- User Experience Matters: Simplicity and clarity make a huge difference in engagement.
- APIs Can Be Tricky: Handling and formatting large datasets efficiently is crucial.
What's next for UniMatch
We have big plans for UniMatch! Some upcoming features include:
- Would be trying to include AI-powered university recommendations based on user behavior and preferences.
- In-app messaging & forums to connect students with alumni and faculty.
- Scholarship Finder to help students discover funding opportunities.
- Augmented Reality (AR) Campus Tours for an immersive college exploration experience.
We believe UniMatch will revolutionize how students find and explore their dream colleges. This is just the beginning!
Built With
- college
- firebase
- mui
- react
- typescript
- wikipedia
Log in or sign up for Devpost to join the conversation.