Ask Lightning

Hi, I’m Lightning Chat, the new chatbot virtual assistant for the OneStop, Admissions, Advising, Student Life, and Veterans Center. I provide support for your general questions related to the above departments any time, any day. Below is a video along with a few tips to get the best out of your interaction, and use me more effectively.

Keep it simple

I do best when asked one question at a time. Complex, lengthy, or several questions at once make it harder to support you.

Use question format

I support you best when you speak to me in question format. For example, “I am a high school student and cannot figure out how to apply”, is better said as “How do I apply to MTSU?”

Use my Suggestions Button

My suggestions can be really helpful and may phrase your question in a way that I better understand it.

For example: When you ask a more complex question like “Are there payment plans if I do not qualify for financial aid?”,  I may offer you a better way to ask the question, and that can get you to a response, i.e., “Do you offer a payment plan?”

Be specific…but limit identifying details

I cannot access account or person-specific information. Please DO NOT include Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in your questions. However, I learn by identifying keywords and can provide relevant information and links. The links I direct you to saves time for both you and me, as many common questions are answered on our website.

Be sure you are asking questions about the offices I support

I support the OneStop, Admissions, Advising, Student Life, and Veterans Center. Middle Tennessee State University is a large university, and I know you will have many questions about our many departments, programs, and services. If you need graduate school admissions assistance or any of MTSU’s other departments and services, please visit their websites, or contact them directly.

I speak four languages

Click the globe icon at the top of my window if you need English, Spanish, Vietnamese or Simplified Chinese.

I am not a human 

While I am very intelligent and can support a lot of your general questions, I use artificial intelligence and work best when you follow the tips I have shared.