By Annie Gombiner

This January, 22 New Rochelle High School seniors, accompanied by guidance counselors, Ms. Giselle Martinez and Mr. Kevin Austin, visited Mercy College at the Dobbs Ferry campus for an instant decision day. All 22 seniors were accepted on the day of the visit, after admissions officers reviewed their transcripts and conducted personal interviews.

Participants were able to meet with current Mercy College students, eat a lunch provided by Mercy College, and look at some of their facilities, including a music production studio and mock stock exchange area.

This opportunity was offered to students who met Mercy’s typical admissions criteria. Some students had already applied to other colleges, others had not applied to any schools, and a few had never visited a college campus before. 

This was the third year that Mercy hosted an instant decision day for New Rochelle High School and the first time that it has happened since the COVID-19 pandemic. In past years, typically six or seven students from the trip would matriculate to Mercy College. Because instant decision days generally result in high student enrollment, Mercy waived all the application fees and paid for a bus from New Rochelle High School.

Students liked that the campus was small but had a variety of programs. This year, the NRHS participants were particularly interested in the music production, nursing and business programs.

Nicolas Montenegro, a participant on the field trip, recalled: “I really liked the music studio; we got to hear some people making beats. All the students in general had a calm vibe and the campus was pretty spaced out. I’m not sure if I am going to attend Mercy yet, but I’m glad I have a choice to possibly go there.”

Ms. Martinez similarly reflected: “It brings opportunity and options to the students. They don’t have to choose to attend Mercy, but now they have that option.” 

Given that Mercy’s three campuses (Dobbs Ferry, the Bronx, and Manhattan) are close to New Rochelle, Mercy is also a strong option for students who plan to commute to college. In fact, according to US News, only 9% of Mercy College students live in college owned/affiliated housing.

Ms. Martinez hopes to plan more instant decision days with other local institutions, such as Iona University.