CWU On The Spot Events To Help Area High School Students Realize College Dreams

Kentwood High School students show their pride after being admitted to CWU at one of more than 30 On The Spot events this fall, sponsored by CWU Admissions.

Central Washington University will make the college application process easier for dozens of students this week when it hosts the final CWU On The Spot events of the season at four Yakima Valley high schools.

Now in its fourth year, the CWU Admissions program works with 30-40 high schools across Washington every year to admit students who don't meet automatic admissions requirements but are recommended by their school counselors.

CWU Admissions counselors will complete a busy season of recruitment - including a series of On The Spot events - on Tuesday and Wednesday when they visit Sunnyside, Grandview, Toppenish and Wapato high schools.

On Tuesday, the Admissions counselors will be in Sunnyside from 9-11 a.m. and Grandview from 12:30-2 p.m. On Wednesday, they will be in Toppenish from 9-11 a.m. and Wapato from 12:30-2 p.m. Additional local events were held this fall at Davis and Eisenhower high schools in Yakima.

By attending these in-person visits, dozens of Central Washington youths will be presented with an opportunity to attend CWU next fall, joining hundreds more from around the state since September. Overall, the Admissions team sponsors more than 1,000 recruitment events per year, including 600 during the fall quarter.

"We're one of only a few schools in the state that has increased our admissions numbers, and On The Spot has been a big part of that effort," said Myndee Ronning, CWU's director of admissions and recruitment. "We are doubling down on our efforts to provide pathways to college, and we have put a lot of programs in place that are helping. But this particular program has been incredibly successful."

Ronning said the university admitted about 600 students at CWU On The Spot events in 2018, and the program has experienced similar success this year. The on-site admissions events are so popular that some schools wonder why CWU representatives aren't able to show up every year. Instead of returning to the same schools every year, the Admissions counselors try to involve as many schools as possible.

The events range in size, with the Davis High School event drawing 90 applicants. Others may attract as few as 12 students. No matter how many applicants attend, the Admissions team knows they are making a difference - both in CWU's admissions numbers and in the lives of young people around the state.

"These events have been extremely successful because many students run into challenges when applying online and they don't know they can still be admitted," said Andres Moreno Benito, CWU's associate director of admissions-diversity, inclusion and access recruitment. He will attend this week's events with admissions counselors Alma Castillo and Faith George.

"By strategically offering these events around the state, we get to show these young people that college really is possible for them," Moreno Benito said.

Students who attend CWU On The Spot events are recommended by their counselors after showing the aptitude to succeed at a higher-education institution. Attendees are given the opportunity to ask questions about CWU and get to know their admissions counselors. Upon completion of the application process, students are given a certificate and T-shirt that they can show to their families and friends. They receive an official admissions letter at a later date.

"Getting into college is a big deal for these kids, and it can be an emotional experience for them," Ronning said. "By going to their school and meeting them in person, we show them that we are really excited for them to come to Central. It gives the students a chance to connect with us face-to-face, and we've seen how much that can make a difference."

Ronning added that this "high-touch model" supports the Admissions department's new vision statement, which emphasizes creating a one-of-a-kind college search experience for prospective students and their families.

"We have counselors based around the state who are focused on customer service," she said, "and On The Spot is just one more layer that shows our students and their families how much we value them."

CWU Admissions officials credit others on campus and outside the university for helping students realize their dream of achieving higher education.

"The buy-in from the high schools, as well as many stakeholders on campus - including housing, academic advising, financial aid, and the Registrar's Office - all make it possible for students to be successful as they prepare to come to CWU, and once they get here," Ronning said.

The university will continue to accept applications into 2020, with a priority application deadline of February 1. Anyone interested in applying can visit cwu.edu/apply.

Media contact: David Leder, Department of Public Affairs, 509-963-1518, David.Leder@cwu.edu.

Related Stories
CWU Tops Washington in Student Application Growth
CWU Announces Fall Quarter 2019 Enrollment Figures