Dec. 8, 2025
By Farah Afifi
Editor
The media center buzzed with excitement on Nov. 21 as Instant Decision Day welcomed 26 seniors to meet one-on-one with college representatives from eight New Jersey colleges: Caldwell University, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Felician University, Montclair State University, Ramapo College, Seton Hall University, Stockton University and William Paterson University.
School counselor Mrs. Stacy, who organized the event, said the greatest aspect of Instant Decision Day was that students who submitted the necessary paperwork — comprising their application, high school transcript and recommendation letters — could receive immediate, non-binding acceptances.
“You’ll get to hear back sooner if you do the Instant Decision Day than if you just apply normally and wait for the decision. It’s also an event where [multiple schools are] here at one time,” Stacy said.
She said that regardless of whether a senior only applies to a few schools or upwards of 20, it is important for the schools to vary in their selectiveness.
“You should have a safety school, [where] you are above their requirements, and it’s easy to get into, a target school [which] means you’re right on what the requirements are and a reach school, [which] is where you’re slightly below the requirements,” Stacy said.
Senior Ava Woolis said she took part in Instant Decision Day to receive a prompt response to her application.
“I wanted to hear back from the other schools I was waiting on, so I could make my decision on what college I wanted to go to, and this event helped with that,” Woolis said.
Woolis, who had already been admitted to Bergen Community College in Paramus and Felician University in Rutherford, said she walked away from Instant Decision Day with an offer from Montclair State University.
“I actually came on the first day that Mrs. Stacy sent out the email of Instant Decision Day because I thought it was amazing that you get to talk with the college representatives and get accepted right there on the spot.”
“Montclair is very close. My brother goes there, and he has learned a lot, from what I’ve seen. They have my [mental health counseling] major, and it looks like a good New Jersey school to me,” Woolis said.
Although she said Montclair is a good option, she is leaning towards attending Felician because it offered her a generous scholarship. She said the cozy campus, kind students and academic opportunities also appeal to her.
Senior Isabella Pluchino, who was admitted to all seven schools to which she applied, said that as soon as she heard about Instant Decision Day, she knew she wanted to participate.
“I actually came on the first day that Mrs. Stacy sent out the email of Instant Decision Day because I thought it was amazing that you get to talk with the college representatives and get accepted right there on the spot,” Pluchino said.
Pluchino, who plans to major in nursing, said that during her interviews with college representatives, she was asked about her strengths and weaknesses as a student and about the impact her personal life has on her schoolwork.
“I was really nervous going to sit and be interviewed with the college representatives, but it wasn’t all that bad,” Pluchino said. “When I was getting out, I was honestly so happy. I didn’t know what to do with the acceptances in my hands. I wanted to call my mom and tell her the good news.”
Senior Ceapar Mabande said he is glad he participated in Instant Decision Day because he was accepted to Ramapo College. Nonetheless, he said he is strongly leaning towards attending Seton Hall University, his dream school to which he was accepted prior to Instant Decision Day.
“It has a strong academic reputation and an excellent criminal justice program, which is the major I want to pursue. I really like the internship and career opportunities the school provides, especially being so close to New York City, because it can open doors for real-world experience in law enforcement and legal fields,” Mabande said.
He said he is glad LHS hosted Instant Decision Day because he appreciated getting support on his application, meeting with an admissions officer and getting a prompt response.
“Instant Decision Day motivates students to stay on track with deadlines. It makes the college application process easier, more organized and more encouraging for seniors,” Mabande said. “It gives students confidence going into the rest of their senior year.”
