Applying for college can be stressful and confusing for students and their families, particularly for young people who are the first in their family to attend college. Instant Decision Days are simplifying the process and opening the door to college admissions at Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) for GCPS seniors.
Instead of processing admissions applications and related paperwork at GGC, college personnel traveled to schools in the Atlanta Metro area to offer Instant Decision Days to high school seniors. The events allow college hopefuls to meet with GGC’s admissions counselors, who help them fill out GGC application forms and evaluate their transcripts. Students who meet GPA requirements are provided an instant admissions decision on the spot.
At a recent event at Duluth HS, senior Jose was cautiously optimistic. As he waited for GGC counselors to render an admissions decision, the 17-year-old Duluth resident was doing his best to stay calm. A few minutes later, Jose received the news he was waiting to hear. He was in. “I can’t believe it. It’s so unexpected, but I couldn’t be more thankful,” Jose said as the GGC admissions counselor shared the good news. “I can’t wait to see what comes next.”
And news of his acceptance to GGC was important to Jose, who will be the first in his family to study in a U.S. college. He said he wants to study electrical engineering and has plans to help his family in Venezuela once he graduates and begins his career.
Mitzie, another Duluth senior, wants to secure a good job in the finance industry. A friend who has attended GGC for the past two years suggested that she check out the school, which offers courses of study to help her achieve her goal. Shortly after Mitzie submitted her paperwork to the GGC admissions counselor, a decision was rendered. Mitzie smiled broadly as the counselor congratulated her. “I’m very happy, excited, and ready for the fall,” she said.
That excitement is in the air at all the Instant Decision Day events, says John Cash, GGC’s assistant director of admissions. “It’s a great chance to work with students, help them through the process and help them see their future,” he said. “Students at these events are always excited and ready. They’re even more excited when they leave.”
Along with excitement, Duluth HS counselor Mary Catherine Smoke sees hope. “Especially right now when we’re in crunch time, they’ve just been very hopeful and excited about the opportunity to be able to apply to college and get that acceptance,” she says. “It’s been really amazing to watch them see that acceptance for the first time and hear those words.”
Nearly 400 students have been accepted to GGC during Instant Decision Days this spring, which have been held throughout Metro Atlanta and at several Gwinnett high schools.
“Instant Decision Days have become a highlight for me, as well as our school culture,” says Antwawn Sheats, career academy specialist at Berkmar HS. “Students are instantly provided an admission decision within a matter of minutes and they feel accepted and empowered! Georgia Gwinnett College’s Instant Decision Days have removed many barriers when applying to college and have provided our students with Instant Hope for their future!”
Adapted with permission from Georgia Gwinnett College
Photos provided by GGC
About Georgia Gwinnett College…
Did you know?
Known as an innovator and one of the top public colleges in the region, Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) is ranked as the most ethnically diverse Southern regional college, according to 2022 U.S. News & World Report.
GGC offers 20 majors and more than 60 programs of study, including a robust Education program with a number of degree options for prospective teachers and immersive learning opportunities that combine classroom- and field-based learning in GCPS schools.
Many GGC students who graduate with education degrees return to the school district to teach future generations. In fact, GGC graduate Jamie Garcia Caycho, a 1st grade teacher at Arcado ES, is 2022 GCPS Elementary School Teacher of the Year.
GGC currently serves nearly 11,000 students. About 75% of GGC students are from Gwinnett County!
About 84% of GGC students qualify for financial aid.
GGC’s average class size is 18 students, and the college offers flexible scheduling—with weekday, evening, and weekend classes—to accommodates today’s busy students.
Learn more about how a longtime collaboration between the school district and GGC that recently was formalized with an agreement that strengthens collaborative efforts to prepare today’s students to be tomorrow’s leaders.