Accessing Profile Information
ERAS programs can log into the Thalamus suite of products directly from the PDWS as shown below:
Accessing Cortex from within Thalamus Core:
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If you are affiliated with a Cortex or Cerebellum account, you can now access your accounts directly in Thalamus.
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Select your "user profile" icon on the upper right-hand corner of the page.
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From the drop-down menu, select the account you would like to view.
Navigating Between Platforms and Programs in Cortex
Once in Cortex, users can toggle between Thalalmus platforms and any programs they have been granted access to in Cortex by selecting the drop-down next to their profile avatar.
Application Screening Tools Available in Cortex for Faculty Reviewers
Filters
Cortex includes Advanced Filter options that allow users to build and apply filter sets to the application review process. These filters include "and/or" as well as the option to group filters for more granular application review. Filters can be combined with any Applicant Index, Blinders, or other sorting options.
Creating & Saving Filters
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To create a new filter, navigate to the Applications, Assignments, Evaluations,
or Selections page in Cortex, click on the "Filters" dropdown, and select
“Manage Filters”.
- You will be prompted to "Select a Filter from the List" or add a new one.
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Select the "Add New Filter" button at the bottom right of the pop-up
to create
a new Filter.
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Name your filter (you have the option to edit this later).
- The filter will default to ALL logic but can be switched to SOME logic by selecting the dropdown at the top right of the screen. More information on ALL/SOME and group logic is detailed below.
- Select a field from the drop-down menu. The full list of fields is detailed below.
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Select a condition. Conditions are dependent on the type of data you
are
filtering, and include, but are not limited to:
- Is/ Is Not
- Greater Than/ Less Than or Equal/ Not Equal
- Select the criteria you would like to filter by. For Example: a filter indicating “Applicant Status is Invite, Reviewed, On-hold” will filter all applicants with a status other than those three.
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Delete Filter criteria by selecting the “trashcan” icon.
- Additional conditions can be added by selecting the “+ Condition” icon.
- Condition groups can be added by selecting the “+ Group” icon.
- Save your filter by selecting “Save”.
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Apply your filter to the current applicant list by selecting “Apply”.
- Additional filters can be created by utilizing the plus sign “+” next to the “Filters” Label.
- Saved filters are now visible under the “Filters” label on the left-hand side of the page. You are able to edit or rename filters by clicking on them from the list, or delete the filter by clicking the trash can icon beside its name.
Applying/ Removing filters:
- A previously created filter can be applied through the “Applications” tab in your Cortex account, without managing your filters.
- Select the “filter” dropdown menu to choose your desired filter.
-
To remove the filter, click the "X" beside its name in the Filter drop-down
menu.
AND/OR and Group filter logic
The Cortex advanced filters come with the following filtering options:
ALL Filters: identify objects that meet all criteria within the filter. For example, if you want to identify an applicant who was Chief Resident and Applicant status "Interview", you can utilize an ALL filter.
SOME Filters: identify objects that meet at least one criterion within the filter. For example, if you want to identify an applicant who received the medical degree of DO or Applicant Status "Interview", you can use a "SOME" filter.
Group Filters: sets the boundaries for an ALL/SOME filter. An ALL/SOME filter can be grouped between two fields within a larger filter. For example, if you want to identify ALL applicants from California AND applicants that are in Interview Status, AND an applicant who is either a member of AOA OR Gold Humanism, you can group the filter for AOA OR Gold Humanism.
Blinders
Programs can determine which application data should be blinded in Cortex. This is designed to promote a holistic review of applications and minimize conscious and unconscious bias in the pipeline. Faculty reviewers will have access to program-created Blinders and can enable them at any time during the application review process.
To apply a blinder view to your applicants:
- Select the preferred blinder from the "Blinder Mode" drop-down menu on either the Applications, Assignments, Evaluations, or Selections page.
- The data view will update automatically.
To remove the blinder, click the "X" beside its name in the Filter drop-down menu.
NOTE: At this time, there is no way to lock that blinded view into place. All reviewers will be able to switch to different views
Applicant Index
Programs can create custom Applicant Index filters that will automatically score and weigh preferred applicant attributes. Faculty reviewers can sort your applicants utilizing these indices.
To enable an Applicant Index:
- Select the "Applications" tab from the top toolbar in Cortex.
- Utilizing the "Index" drop-down, choose your desired index.
- Your list of applicants will be sorted by the criteria identified in your Applicant Index.
- Your applicants will also receive an "Applicant Index" score, which will indicate how closely this applicant resembles your preferred criteria. Note: Your newly created "Applicant Index" score may take a short period to recalculate after it is applied to applicants or upon upload of new applications.
- You can sort by Applicant Index score using the "Sort by" drop-down menu.
To remove your applied Applicant Index, click the X on the Index drop-down menu.
Sort
Users can sort Application Data to allow for an efficient application review. Application Data can be sorted within the Applications, Assignments, Evaluations, and Selections pages.
Application data can be sorted in the following ways:
- Applicant Index
- Keyword Count
- Cortex Score
- Last Name
- Medical School
- AAMC ID
To sort application data:
- Select the "Sort by" menu
- Utilizing the Sort drop-down, choose your desired attribute
- Your list of applicants will be sorted by the criteria identified
- To update your applied selection, click the newly desired sorting attribute the sorting drop-down menu.
Search
Users can search for applicants using the search bar. Applicants can be searched within the Applications, Assignments, Evaluations, and Selections pages.
Application Review for Faculty Reviewers
Applicant Quick View
Within the Applications page in Cortex, users can efficiently begin the application review process using the Application Quick View. The quick view highlights the important application data:
- Name
- AAMC ID
- Application Signals
- Signal Tokens
- Geographic Preferences
- Setting Preferences
- Medical School
- Tracks Applied
- Keyword Count
- Publications
- Core Clerkship Data
- Board Scores
- Interactive Applicant Timeline
Scorecards and Notes Button
Faculty Reviewers will be asked by their programs to submit a scorecard evaluation on each application they were assigned to review. Users can access the program's scorecards and add notes by clicking on the "Score & Notes" button in both the "Quick View" and within the "Details" of the applications page.
The applicant's score drawer will then appear on the right-hand side of the platform. Users are able to select the scorecard they wish to complete - please follow instructions sent by your program when selecting scorecards - and submit once they have answered all required questions. Notes on the applicant can also be added here by selecting the "Add Quick Notes" button.
NOTE: Only Program Directors and Program Administrators will see the submitted scores, notes, and recommendations statuses of Faculty Reviewers. This is to help promote a holistic review of each applicant.
PDF Button
If the program has not enabled any document permissions, users can download the applicant's entire ERAS application using the "PDF" button.
Details Button
Cortex allows users to review each section of the application in full detail by selecting the "Details" button. Once within the full application view, reviewers can click through each section of the application or scorll to navigate to navigate to the next section.
Recommendation Status
Faculty Reviewers will be asked by their programs to submit a "Recommendation Status" on each application after completing their holistic review. Input from Faculty Reviewers will assist Program Directors and Program Administrators in making their "Final Decision" on which applicants they will select to Interview.
Faculty will have a teal "My Recommendation" bar at the top of the application data in both the "Quick View" and within the "Details" of the applications page. Faculty will need to select from one of the following recommendations:
- Interview
- On-Hold
- Waitlist
- Reject
NOTE: Only Program Directors and Program Administrators will see the submitted scores, notes, and recommendations statuses of Faculty Reviewers. This is to help promote a holistic review of each applicant.
Watch the video below to walk you through each of these tools in real time: