Guessing what to offer
You timetable options nobody picks, and turn people away from the ones everyone wanted.
Interest checks
Ask what people want, then place them
Not sure which electives, workshops or activities to run? Let people rank the options you're considering first. You see real demand, keep what's worth running, and turn the same link into the sign-up.
The problem
Deciding what to offer is guesswork
Two links, twice the chasing
A survey first, then a separate sign-up. People answer twice, and the survey's answers go nowhere.
Ticked boxes hide what matters
When people tick everything they'd consider, you can't tell what they want most.
How it works
From "what should we run?" to final groups
Create an interest check
List the options you're thinking of running, how many people should rank, and when it closes. No seats or rounds yet. Add groups if you'd like to see interest by year group or team.
Share one link
People rank on any phone or computer, with no app and no account. They see only their own picks, and can change them until it closes.
See what people want
For each option: how many ranked it, put it 1st, and put it in their top 3, in order of a points score. Filter by group, or download it as a CSV.
Turn it into an event
Keep the options worth running and give each one seats. Then reopen so people can check their picks, or place everyone straight away. The link stays the same.
Place everyone
From here it's a normal PickAndRank event: place everyone fairly within the seats, review the groups, and publish.
Reading the results
What the numbers mean
Ten students ranked their top 3 of four electives. Options are listed by score.
- Ranked it: how many put it anywhere on their list. That's its reach.
- 1st choice and Top 3: how many put it there, and what share of everyone who ranked.
- Score: with four options, a 1st choice is worth 3 points, a 2nd 2, a 3rd 1, and an option left off a list nothing. Higher on more lists scores more.
Cooking and Chess each got one 1st choice, but Cooking was on more lists, so it scores higher. Robotics was on every list and is clearly worth running.
| Option | Ranked it | 1st choice | Top 3 | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robotics | 10 | 5 (50%) | 10 (100%) | 23 |
| Drama | 9 | 3 (30%) | 9 (90%) | 18 |
| Cooking | 6 | 1 (10%) | 6 (60%) | 11 |
| Chess | 5 | 1 (10%) | 5 (50%) | 8 |
Groups under 5 people are combined or left out, so nobody's ranking can be picked out.
Turning it into an event
Everyone keeps their link and their picks
Dropped options come off every list
The rest move up, in the same order. Someone who ranked Chess, Drama, Robotics keeps Drama, Robotics if you drop Chess.
People are told
Anyone whose list changed sees a note when they come back. On upgraded events, people who gave an email get one when the options are set.
Short lists are caught
If dropping options leaves someone with fewer picks than the event asks for, Place now isn't offered. Reopen, and they rank again before anyone is placed.
The numbers stay with the event
The interest check's table is kept on the event's results, including options that didn't go ahead. Counts only, never names.
FAQ
Questions
Does the top score decide what runs?
No. It shows demand, and you decide what runs. Nothing is decided by the score on its own.
Do participants see the results?
No. Each person sees only their own picks, and a note that this isn't a place yet.
What does it cost?
Interest checks have the same limits as events: free for up to 30 people and 15 options. If you upgrade a check, the event it becomes keeps that plan.
Can I keep it open longer, or reopen it?
Yes. You can close it early or reopen it any time before you turn it into an event.
Can I add options when it becomes an event?
Yes, in Setup afterwards. A new option reaches people when they next edit their picks, so reopen for changes if you add one.
Can I undo turning it into an event?
No. The interest check's numbers stay with the event, so you can always see what people asked for.
How are small groups protected?
Groups under 5 people are combined, or left out, so nobody's ranking can be picked out. If fewer than 5 people ranked at all, the numbers are deleted when anyone is erased.
Ask first. Then place everyone fairly.
Interest checks are free for up to 30 people, like every event.