What information will be shared with universities?

What are Connections?

Connections is a feature that allows you to create a “connection” with a university. Imagine being in a university booth or event, this is similar to what you’d do there!

A connection can be created through different actions on Cialfo such as signing up for events, adding a university to your list (longlist, shortlist, applying), and downloading a brochure from a university on Cialfo’s School Search.

How are Connections made?

Connections are made through the following actions:

When you add a university to any of your list (longlist, shortlist, applying)*
Downloading a brochure from a university
When a Direct Apply program is submitted
Events:
1. Signing up for a Cialfo or university Event
2. Attending a Cialfo or university Event
3. Watching an event recording (including on-demand content)
College Visits:
1. Signing up for a College Visit made through Explore

* This is dependent on your school’s settings

What information will be shared with universities?

Before any information is shared with universities, your permission will be requested. The information that may be shared includes, but is not limited to:

First and Last Name
Email Address
Gender
Citizenship
Date of Birth
School Information (e.g., School Name, CEEB Code)
Graduation Year*

How does Connections benefit you?

By connecting you with universities directly, you are able to let universities know that you are interested in applying to their school, allowing you to stand out!
- You are able to create a relationship with the university you’re interested in, coupled with engaging research by attending the university’s events, visits, or applying for Direct Apply programs*
Strengthens your university search: upgrade your university search by staying updated on information directly from universities! This goes from updates regarding the admission process, fees, deadlines, essay prompts and scholarship opportunities.
Cialfo recommendations: Expand your university search! Cialfo can recommend universities based on your interaction with similar universities.

* Availability of Direct Apply programs is dependent on your school’s settings

How do I remove a Connection?

You can remove a Connection through the following actions:

Your counselor turns off the school setting from their Configuration page
Removing the university from any of their lists
Going to the university page on School Search and selecting “Connected” to disconnect the Connection

Improvements and Fixes

Connect Button Visual State

Fixed an issue where the Connect button on university profiles did not consistently update its visual state after being clicked. The button now correctly transitions to the Connected state with:

Blue border
Tick icon
Blue button text

This ensures users receive immediate visual confirmation that the connection action was successful.

Disconnect Confirmation Pop-up

Resolved an issue where the disconnect confirmation pop-up did not consistently appear when users clicked the Connected button to disconnect from a university. The confirmation dialog now displays reliably every time.

Ranking Overlap at Reduced Zoom

Fixed a layout issue affecting browser zoom levels below 100%, where the Ranking metric overlapped with the Global (QS 2026) label in the first fold of the university profile page. Elements now display correctly without overlap at reduced zoom levels.

Extra Scrollbar at Reduced Zoom

Resolved an issue where an unexpected extra scrollbar appeared alongside the disconnect confirmation pop-up when browser zoom was below 100%. The pop-up now displays correctly without introducing additional scrollbars.

Note: If you continue to see unexpected behaviour on the university profile first fold, perform a hard refresh: