Submitting an application is just the beginning of the college journey for most students. With so many questions, forms, and financials to consider, the Methodist University Admissions Office is working to make the next steps faster, more understandable, and more accessible for incoming Monarchs through the new “Fast Track” initiative process.
Andre Richburg, Ed.D, is the vice president of Strategic Enrollment at Methodist University and he says that by following the paperless admissions process at MU, the time to reach application decisions has reduced drastically.
“We have a quicker turnaround in providing a decision for students, usually within about a week or less,” Richburg said.
Once accepted, students receive email notification, a formal decision letter, and correspondence from their respective admissions counselors to help further guide them through the enrollment process. In addition to a running phone campaign featuring over 1,000 calls made to potential Monarchs by MU faculty and staff, personalized postcards are being mailed to students across several North Carolina counties, including Cumberland, Robeson, Harnett, Sampson, Wake, and Bladen.
Students from those counties qualify for their enrollment deposit to be waived, as part of the Fast Track process. This permits those students to fast-forward with advising and registering for classes for the incoming semester.
Methodist University is also participating in the state’s Direct Admit program, which gives students in high school the chance to apply to MU in fewer steps. Under this initiative, students are able to complete a form that would grant conditional admission before submitting their final high school transcript.
“Students basically fill out a quick application,” Richburg said. “They don’t submit a transcript. They’re just admitted.”
The University recently began automatically admitting eligible Direct Admit students and has already welcomed over 300 students through the initiative. After acceptance through the fast-track process, students begin working through the Pre-New Student Orientation process (NSO) steps including academic advising, housing placement, immunizations records, just to name a few.
Admitted students are also encouraged to connect with classmates and colleagues through the Zeemee, platform designed to help admitted students engage, ask questions, and build relationships before they get to campus.
Meet the Counselors
Methodist University’s Admissions counselors help guide Monarchs from acceptance until the moment they step foot on campus by answering questions, helping with housing, and navigating next steps.
Admissions Counselor Olivia Pizzui works with a range of undergraduate and prospective students North Carolina including community colleges throughout the region, as well as students from Virginia and Maryland. She is the University’s ZeeMee liaison, and assists students with last names starting with O through Z.
Pizzuti said many of her student questions center around scholarship availability, financial aid, and housing. Her main goal is helping students feel supported and connected to the right resources.
“The college admissions process can be very overwhelming,” Pizzuti said. “Even if a question is obvious to me, it may not be obvious to a student. I try my best to be kind, considerate, and understanding to all students and parents that I speak to.”
Briana Jackson works prospective students throughout the admissions process. Her recruitment territory includes southern and Central Cumberland County, Southeastern North Carolina, as well as students from South Carolina and Florida. She also works with students whose last names begin with I through N.
Jackson said many of the questions she receives involve transcript submissions, tuition costs, and navigating the enrollment process, and her goal is to help students feel less overwhelmed while navigating their next steps.
“I strive to guide students through the admissions process by listening to their concerns and providing as much information and support as possible,” Jackson said.
Rachael Burwell works with students across Central and Western North Carolina counties including Sampson, Cumberland, Bladen, Hoke, and Moore. She also assists students from Georgia and other areas of North Carolina and works with students whose last names begin with A through H.
Burwell said she hopes to make the admissions process easier for incoming Monarchs by listening and helping them connect with the resources to help with their needs as they through the admissions and enrollment process.
As Methodist University continues to simplify the admissions experience, counselors say the focus remains on helping students feel informed, supported, and connected throughout each step of the process.
For more information about the admissions process, applying to Methodist University, the University’s Fast Track admissions initiatives, or meet the Admissions team, visit methodist.edu/admissions-aid/.