By Eliana Shenk ’24, staff writer

With the Instant Decision Day event for graduate programs approaching, here is what LVC students need to know to take advantage of this opportunity.

This event is a chance for seniors to apply for a graduate program and receive their admission decision on the same day. Students will meet with program directors to learn more about their program of interest and go through the application process.

Kate Gerdes, Enrollment Specialist for Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS), explained the Instant Decision Day event process and how students should prepare for the opportunity. They must bring their current resumé, then the GPS team will guide them through the remainder of the process.

The first step for students is to submit the online application. There will be computers set up for students to use and the GPS team will be there to guide students through the application. Once they complete this, LVC can pull their transcript and the students will have an admissions interview.

“Usually, you’d have to write an essay, and that conversation with the program director will replace the essay,” Gerdes said. “They’ll have a conversation with the program director and then … we’ll be able to share their admissions decision with them right away.”

There is very little for seniors to do to prepare for the Instant Decision Day event. For the application process, they must have a current resumé. Gerdes also explained that it is beneficial for students to know what program they are interested in, the requirements for the program and if their program of interest is eligible for instant decision, all of which can be found on the LVC website.

“It was super simple, and it was so nice to have familiar faces helping me to navigate the process,” Lois Yeater, an LVC graduate who participated in the Instant Decision Day event last year, said.

This opportunity takes much of the stress out of applying for graduate studies. There is no pre-registration required, and seniors can go through the entire process and receive their decision on the same day, eliminating the dreaded waiting period. It is also a chance for any students interested in graduate programs to come and have their questions answered by the GPS team.

“Any student, even if they’re a first-year or sophomore with questions about graduate studies or graduate programs, they can feel free to come to the event,” Gerdes said. The Instant Decision Day event is Nov. 15 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Bishop Library. Seniors who cannot make this time can submit their application online through the LVC website and will receive their decision within 2-3 business days. Students with questions can email graduateadmission@lvc.edu or call 717-867-6089.