Peer Review Overview

How to Review an Application 

Watch this video to see a visual step-by-step process of completing and editing reviews:  

Here is how to score an application and leave a review:  

1. Go to your email and open the message from donotreply@changemakers.com. 

2. Click on each project name listed at the top of the email you received with your assigned reviews.  

3. Once you are redirected to the review dashboard, click on the "Project" tab to read the application.  

4. Click on the "Evaluation" tab.

5. To score an application: On the "Evaluation" tab, score the application based on the 4 evaluation criteria. Click "Submit Evaluation Criteria" once you've completed putting in your scores.  

6. To provide written feedback on an application: On the "Evaluation" tab, leave written feedback using the evaluation comments text box and click the "Submit" button to save it. Please remember to be kind with your comments and to add one actionable step - we are here to support each other! Please ensure that you click on the "Evaluation" tab as this should be private feedback, NOT a public comment published on the main project page. 

7. IMPORTANT: Don't forget to save your reviews! You must click both the buttons labeled "Submit evaluation criteria" after scoring AND the button after the written feedback box labeled "Submit."  

8. IMPORTANT: Double-check that you have submitted BOTH a score and written feedback for the application before moving on to the next application. You must complete both the scoring and feedback successfully to be eligible to receive the USD $25 / 1,000 Rupees gift card.  

9. To get to the next application to review, go back to the email in step one and repeat the process.   

10. To edit a review you’ve already completed, go back to that same email and click on the project you want to edit. Once you are on the “Evaluation” tab, click (view details) next to your name. Then, scroll down and click "Edit."  

Criteria

Applications are ranked on a scale of 1-5 on each of the following criteria:  

1. Fueled by Community: The applicant’s idea demonstrates a deep understanding of and connection to the problem they are tackling. The applicant is informed by the people most impacted by the problem and is focused on making a difference in a community that is meaningful to them.  

2. Innovation: The applicant is creating something new, addressing an overlooked challenge, or bringing a unique perspective or solution to a well-known problem.   

3. Collaborative Leadership: The applicant has or plans to build a team and form partnerships or mobilize others to join in their initiative.  

4. Commitment: The applicant has concrete plans to grow their idea or venture, including how to access expertise, resources, and more. They demonstrate a commitment to stick with their project with actionable steps. 

How should I score applications? We suggest giving a score of 1 for projects you feel do not at all represent the criteria, 2-3 for projects that somewhat represent the criteria, and 4-5 for projects you feel are really strong. Don’t overthink the ranking; give it consideration but also trust your instincts. For more information on criteria and the scoring scale, visit this page.    

Tips for Leaving Feedback

1. Integrity is an important part of this process: We trust you to evaluate your peers fairly, honestly, and with a commitment to accurately represent them through the score you choose to give and your feedback. 

2. Follow the feedback formula:  

   Kind greeting sentence (Example: Hi Name, thank you for sharing your idea with us!)  

   What you liked the most about the application (Example: I loved how you are incorporating other young people in your work!) 

   One thing the person can improve on (Example: I’d like to encourage you to quantify your goals and add a couple of next steps so we can really see your commitment and vision for the future and what you’re going to do to get there.) 

   Kind closing sentence (Example: I wish you the best of luck!) 

3. Include an actionable step: We want to provide feedback that uplifts and validates each other's work, and we also want this to be a learning experience for each applicant. Make sure to include at least one actionable step that the applicant can take to ensure their idea/initiative reaches the next level. Not sure what feedback to give? See the application as a project plan. What other information would you like to know? What advice can you offer based on their next steps or plans for the future - based on your own experiences?   

4. Make your feedback positive and thoughtful: Keep your feedback thoughtful: Every application was written by someone just like you who is passionate about their project. Your feedback goes directly to the applicant you’re reviewing, so please be thoughtful in what you say and how you say it. Consider writing your feedback like you would write a letter– use “you” rather than “she”, “he”, “they” and use full sentences. Your review is a celebration of your peers’ work, alongside your suggestions for growth. Pro tip: a good tip for reviewing is to write the sort of review you would want to receive! 

5. Rely on your own unique insights: You offer a unique lens for providing support to your peers. Lean on your expertise to validate your feedback and suggestions while focusing on recommendations for the future over critiques of the past. You should also keep in mind that although some projects might seem similar – great minds think alike – that they are all unique and evaluated on their own merits.  

6. Finally, ask for support: Our goal is to make this community review process a fun way to uplift each other as changemakers. Please feel free to reach out to our challenge team at ambition@ashoka.org if you have any questions about accessing the reviewer platform, understanding the reviewer form, or any other concerns! 

Feedback Template

Find an example feedback template below. Feel free to take the template and personalize it with your own thoughts and comments! 

Hi Name, thank you for sharing your idea with us! I love how you are incorporating other young people in your work. I’d like to encourage you to quantify your goals and add a couple of next steps so we can really see your commitment and vision for the future and what you’re going to do to get there. I wish you the best of luck! 

 

This template follows the feedback formula: 

1. A kind greeting statement (Example: Hi Name, thank you for sharing your idea with us!) 

2. What you liked the most about the application (Example: I loved how you are incorporating other young people in your work!) 

3. One thing the person can improve on (Example: I’d like to encourage you to quantify your goals and add a couple of next steps so we can really see your commitment and vision for the future and what you’re going to do to get there.) 

4. Kind closing statement (Example: I wish you the best of luck!) 

Tech Questions

I can’t locate the email with the peer review assignments. What do I do?

• Check your Spam and Promotions folders for an email from the email address donotreply@changemakers.com. 
• Check any other email accounts the peer review assignments email could have been sent to. For instance, if you listed an email address that is different from the email address you used to create an account to submit an application, check both email addresses for the email. 
• If after these steps, you are still unable to locate the email from donotreply@changemakers.com with the peer review assignments, please email us at ambition@ashoka.org or if based in the U.S., text us at (571) 622-1066.  

I can’t log in to my account to do the peer review assignments. What do I do?

• If you’re logging in through the application portal (https://home.solutions.changemakers.com/challenge/63927a67720a4b35a3db2fb971ee913e ), make sure you’re logging in with your email address and password.  
• If you’re logging in through the main application website (https://changemakers.com/en/challenge/ambitionaccelerator), make sure you’re logging in with your username and password. 
• Please also double check that you are logging into the account that is tied to the email address you received the peer review assignments email from.  
• If after these steps, you are still unable to log into your account, please email us at ambition@ashoka.org or if based in the U.S., text us at (571) 622-1066. 

I was sent the peer review assignment email to an email address where I don’t have an account created already. What do I do?

• We sent the peer review assignment email to both email addresses – the one you listed on your application, and the one linked to your account that you used to submit an application. We suggest you do your peer review assignments on the account you used to submit your application from, or you will have to create a new account.  
• Please also submit your reviews only once, on one account only.  

I did my application reviews on a new account that I created. Will this be a problem, and can you merge the two accounts for me?

• This will not be a problem at all, as we have all the information on the back end of who has created each account – we'd be able to know who the account belongs to.  
• We are unable to merge the two accounts, and there will be no issue with the application process that you have two accounts.  

I’m really confused and don’t know what to do. What should I do? 

• Please email us at ambition@ashoka.org or if based in the U.S., text us at (571) 622-1066. 

Timeline

• Peer Review from Thursday (03/21) to Monday (04/08)* 
  • All assignments have been sent and if you haven't received them, please email or text us. 
• Peer Review Info Sessions* 
  • Best suited for India Applicants 
    • (For English Speakers) Wednesday, March 27, 2024 (6-7 p.m. IST): Register here  
    • (For Hindi Speakers) Thursday, March 28, 2024 (6-7 p.m. IST): Register here 
  • Best suited for U.S. and U.S. Territories Applicants 
    • Tuesday, March 26, 2024 (8-9 p.m. EST): Register here 
    • Thursday, March 28, 2024 (8-9 p.m. EST): Register here 
• Reference Checks (Due Monday, April 8th at 8 a.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT / 6:30 p.m. IST). 
  • We have contacted your references directly to fill out a short Microsoft form! Please email us or text us if your references have not received the link to the reference check form.  
• Gift Cards will be sent out by June  
• Virtual Problem-Solving Sessions* (Spring & Summer 2024)   
  • More info and invites to come!  
• 250 Seed Prize Awardees Announcement (The Week of April 29th)   
• 75 Summit Semi-Finalists Announcement (The Week of May 27th) 
• You’ll receive an email with the feedback you’ve received from your peers in June, after the Summit Semi-Finalists Announcement 

*These are optional experiences. Participation has no impact on your eligibility or chances in the Taco Bell Ambition Accelerator 2024 program. 

You are now a super reviewer! Give yourself a big high-five: by reading through this guide, you’re one step closer to uplifting your peers and strengthening your feedback skills.