Nov. 14, 2023 -- For many seniors, the process of applying to college is not only intimidating but even the prolonged wait to hear back from the school that you applied to if you were accepted or not is stressful. Removing these two barriers was the goal of Tiesha McEwen, the College and Career Readiness Counselor at Cleveland Heights High School, who organized Instant College Application Days for Cleveland and Youngstown State University.

Over the course of two days back in September and October, nearly 50 seniors took advantage of the opportunity to receive help from Mrs. McEwen and representatives from CSU and YSU with accessing their transcripts and to troubleshoot any issues the students had filling out or submitting their applications. And for 35 of those seniors, they received the exciting announcement that they were instantly accepted into Cleveland State University or Youngstown State University.

Michael Robinson is a senior who attended and had the unique opportunity of being accepted by both universities saying that “it took the anxious feeling away.” Even though he is an excellent student, Michael was “still nervous filling out the applications but excited to know that I was accepted.” Especially since those letters from CSU and YSU were the first acceptance letters he has ever received.

For other seniors, being accepted into Cleveland State or Youngstown State University could very well be their dream school, the most affordable option available to them or even allow them to be the first person in their family to have the opportunity to go to college. And it is vital for these opportunities to be made available to students and supported through creating events such as the Instant Application Day.

“It builds up your safety net for local schools but also gives you a chance to compare schools to see what they have to offer,” Michael highlights. “And then you can make your decision based on the schools you have applied to.”

The two Instant Admission Days that have taken place this semester is the result of the success of the very first Instant Day back in the fall of 2022 and the 29 seniors that were accepted to CSU. This year’s expansion makes it so Heights High can continue to provide students with the opportunity to receive help to get into college and further break down the barriers that prevent students from pursuing their goals. 

Applying for college can be stressful and the fear of not being accepted to your dream school or one of your back-ups can be overwhelming. But Michael advises his peers to not let that fear consume you and to take advantage of all of the opportunities that are being offered. “To a classmate hesitant of going to Instant Admission Day," said Michael, "‘you only live once’ so apply to the college! You never know what will happen and you could potentially get accepted and who knows, it could be the school you will be going to in the fall.”

Heights High’s next Instant Admission Day will take place November 15 with Central State University from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in room 129, the College & Career Readiness classroom. Seniors who have a GPA of 2.2 or greater are encouraged to attend and apply. For additional information, please contact Tiesha McEwen at [email protected].

Congratulations to the following seniors who received admittance into Cleveland State University and Youngstown State University during Instant Application Days:

Cleveland State University
Karim Azzam
Treasure Bonner
Aniyah Chaney Rondo
Sean Egbert
Jordan Evans
Fahness Freeman
Patrick Gabor
Alahna Gainer
Ka’Niyaa Goodson
Vanessa Green
Samuel Hagesfeld
Harrison Holland
Caila Johnson
Ka’Niya Johnson
Miah Lewis-Kelly
Julianna Madlock
Randi McClellan
Kamyah McDonald
Bimah Mitchell
Gionni Mitchell
Jacob Moore
LeeAsia Peterson
Keyandra Phillips-Wanton
Quintez Pratt
Jayla Putnam
Michael Robinson
Kyera Scott
Harlan Williams
Kasside Wilson
Isaiah Woodard

Youngstown State University
Keira Britt Hunt
Chauntelle Jacobs
Kamyah McDonald
Savona Paradise
Michael Robinson
Britni Thomas
Dashara Turner