Western Pa. schools promote 'instant decision' for admission

Some colleges and universities are offering students the opportunity to gain admission in a single day.

The so-called “instant decision” is being offered at California University of Pennsylvania Monday through Friday next week.

At Cal U’s Instant Decision Day, potential undergraduate and graduate students considering enrolling can complete an application, get an admissions decision, schedule classes and receive a university identification card.

“We’ll help you get started on the path toward a college degree. In one session, you can receive an admissions decision and start planning for classes this fall,” said T. David Garcia, Cal U’s vice president for enrollment management.

Cal U has held instant decision days in the past for prospective transfer students. This is the first time the service will be offered for traditional undergraduate or graduate students, said Wendy Mackall, a Cal U spokeswoman.

The instant decision day is a way for colleges to make the enrollment process “as convenient as possible” — and is nothing new in the college admission business, said Dana Bearer, admissions director at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg.

“We all do it,” Bearer said.

UPG does a form quick decision-making by interviewing prospective students at their school and offering them an opportunity to enroll, Bearer said.

The Westmoreland County Community College will hold its Xpress Enrollment Days from 4 to 7 p.m. July 31 and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 3 and 10 at its Youngwood campus and centers in Latrobe, Mt. Pleasant, New Kensington, Murrysville, Uniontown and Indiana.

Xpress Enrollment Day provides a convenient “one-stop shop” for prospective students, the college said. They can complete the application for admission for free, find their classes and register for fall classes offered at any WCCC location or online, all in the same day. New students should bring a copy of their high school transcript.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania has had its own “instant decision days” for several years for both freshman and transfer students, said Michelle Fryling, an IUP spokeswoman.

IUP has a decision day on Friday, , Monday and Aug. 5, as well as off campus, including in Philadelphia, Fryling said.

The university also has decision days throughout the year, Fryling said. Students are asked to apply a week in advance, but also can bring information and apply that day. The admissions committee reviews the information while the applicants are touring campus, so students know before they leave IUP whether they gain admission Fryling said.