53 Students Accepted to Area Colleges on James Caldwell High School Instant Decision Day

More than 25 percent of the senior class at James Caldwell High School in West Caldwell, can breathe a little easier this holiday season, following the school’s annual Instant Decision day on Thursday, Dec. 4, where 53 members of the graduating class received the news that they were accepted into one or more of eight area colleges or universities.

Coordinated by Barbara Cieremans, supervisor of guidance, the event included Caldwell University, East Stroudsburg University, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Johnson and Wales University, Montclair State University, Ramapo College of New Jersey, Seton Hall University and William Paterson University.

“Our first Instant Decision day held last December resulted in 43 students knowing that they were going to a college or university,” Cieremans said. “This year, that number increased to 53. It was a really great day for the students and the schools.”

Many students were also offered scholarships based on academic merit during the instant decision day. Scholarships ranged from $3,000 to $30,000 per year for all four years. Some of the universities require the students to apply for scholarships online, however, nearly half of the accepted students were also offered scholarships.

The school plans to schedule additional Instant Decision Days, in the hopes of attracting even more schools to the event.

“The Instant Decision Days have been a huge success,” Cieremans added. “Senior year can be stressful when students are waiting to hear back from colleges. Instant Decisions help students make the plans a little sooner, and will hopefully make their holidays a little brighter.”

Pictured: JCHS Senior Erin Davison shakes hands with Seton Hall Director of Undergraduate Admissions Mary Clare Cullum at the James Caldwell High School Instant Decision Day on Dec. 4.

For more information on James Caldwell High School, click here.

Photo courtesy of Christine Corliss