Personal touches convinced incoming student to attend UC

The Walnut Hills High School senior had narrowed her college choices down to three — UC’s Lindner College of Business and two impressive out-of-state business schools that were recruiting her. All of them offered outstanding higher education resumes and college experiences, including enticing opportunities to study internationally. 

Only UC and the Lindner Honors program, however, made it personal. Very personal.

This “where-are-they-now” series of stories is designed to catch up with the newly admitted students who were lucky enough to be part of UC’s first Decision Day surprise to find out how their life has gone since UC literally showed up on their doorstep with news that they had been admitted.

Feb. 4, 2021, was a typical pandemic Thursday for Grayson, who like so many other high schoolers had spent the day in front of a screen doing remote learning. While her parents were in on the surprise, she had no idea that a UC shuttle and members of the media had just pulled up outside their East Walnut Hills home. 

Neighbors watched as UC leaders and the Bearcat mascot piled off the bus, crossed the street and made their way up the Mentzel’s sidewalk toting two giant mylar “UC” balloons and armloads of swag.

Grayson opened her door to be greeted by Jack Miner, UC’s vice provost for enrollment management, and Marianne Lewis, dean of the Carl H. Lindner College of Business.

“We have gotten such great feedback from the Decision Day surprises,” says Miner. “We decided to add the surprises this year to make this a special day for students who had experienced a tough year of hybrid and remote learning under COVID. It clearly resonated with the entire community. This became a chance for not just the family and UC to celebrate Grayson but the whole community.”

By that evening when Grayson’s surprise video began circulating, the attention grew.

“I actually had a huge amount of people reaching out to me,” Grayson says. “Everybody on our street and people who I’d never even met before would find me on social media to say ‘Congratulations.’”

Suddenly she had dozens of new Instagram followers including members of UC’s student government who she had never met. UC alumni connected with her on LinkedIn as Grayson began to realize the massive network associated with her city’s largest university. “I was like, ‘Wow, this is really awesome.’”

For Grayson, UC’s personalized approach and all the opportunities coupled with the benefits of the co-op program became a no-brainer that she should become a Bearcat.

“In the modern-day setting to have experience and to build your resume before you graduate business school is unparalleled,” she says. “UC is the inventor of the co-op program.”

Soon after her visit, Grayson formally confirmed her admission by logging into UC’s “Check My Status” page and walking through a few simple steps. All incoming students are encouraged to confirm as soon as possible and ahead of UC’s May 1 confirmation deadline.

“The University of Cincinnati and the Lindner College of Business was by far the leading institution through the whole process,” says mom Burroughs. “UC has been welcoming, and they’ve been so supportive and proactive in providing us with relevant information.

“The leadership team, oh my goodness, went above and beyond by making this personal. While we’ve seen multiple emails from other institutions and gifts in the mail or letters that come embossed with Grayson’s name on them, all of those are just things. Where UC stands out and the Lindner College of Business stands out is the people. 

“They took the time to connect with Grayson and to help her forge those first relationships within the school. Those special connections made UC the obvious No. 1 choice.”

Read the Alex Lewis "Where are they now?" story