COLUMBUS, Ohio — In light of the pandemic, colleges and universities are looking for new ways to reach students since they haven’t been able to go inside schools to share information. Ohio Dominican University in Columbus is one of those schools.
What You Need To Know
- A recent snowstorm delayed their first drive through event
- About 15 students participated in the first one, where they also talked to financial aid counselors
- First generation college students Demiyah Finney got accepted on the spot and found out she’d receive a partial academic scholarship too
- The drive through experience is set to make the admission process more efficient
- The next drive through event is scheduled for May 1
As part of a pilot, the university decided to give students two options, take the traditional route and apply or take a new approach and learn in 20 minutes or less if they’ve be admitted or not.
With two sessions set for the day, Ohio Dominican University staff braved the wind and cold on their first official drive through admissions day. Admission officials were hoping the day would serve as a way to close the gap of not being able to connect with students in their high schools like they would have pre-pandemic. For students who choose the drive-through option, they have the ability to submit all of their admissions documents ahead of time, including their financial-aid request for assistance.
It helps to speed up the process, giving admissions staff the ability to confirm they’ve turned everything in and accept a student on the spot.
For Gahanna Lincoln High School senior Demiyah Finney, she couldn’t believe it when she heard the news that she’d been accepted. The 18-year-old said she never thought she’d be going to college. The news for her mom, Tynesha Horton, was a huge blessing.
“I’m a single parent,” Horton said. “So, there’s ups and downs and I have two other kids so we’re at this point and she’s not my baby anymore. She’s grown.”For those students who don’t turn in everything ahead of time, it may take a little longer.
Finding out on the spot can take the edge off of the waiting process. In doing so, it allows them to focus on finishing their senior year of high school, while planning for the next phase of their academic career.
With an official acceptance letter in hand, first generation college student, Demiyah Finney, can breathe a little easier as she also learned she’d be receiving a partial academic scholarship. Although the drive through admissions day was not a conventional one, Horton enjoyed the experience with her daughter.
“It was quick. It was easy and I’m so excited,” she said. “It was like the best news, other than when I found out I was pregnant with her.”
ODU is the first college in central Ohio to implement the method. The hope is that the new initiative will speed up the admissions process and attract more students.
