Bearcat dreams come true on Decision Day
UC officials surprise first wave of accepted students amid record-breaking application year
It's Decision Day, and the newest Bearcats are learning they’ve been accepted into the University of Cincinnati.
It’s a good time to check those mailboxes, phones and computers for an admissions notice.
Anna Horgan is the very first student this year to get her acceptance letter from UC. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
For many like Anna Horgan, a senior at Cincinnati-area Seton High School, it was a dream come true. She’s wanted to become a Bearcat since seventh grade.
And she got her wish and an extra surprise when a UC team — admissions officials, the Bearcat mascot and members of the cheer and dance teams — visited her school to celebrate Horgan’s admission with her parents, teachers and classmates. She was awarded a $2,000 grant and offered a gift package full of UC swag.
Horgan was the first Bearcat offered admission this year.
“It is really nice seeing all the support,” she said. “I’m very excited and a little overwhelmed.”
Horgan is a member of the National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society and the National Art Honor Society and is a senior leader on the Seton Varsity Dance Team.
She plans to study communication design in UC’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning.
“The DAAP program at UC has always been at the top of her list,” said Tim Horgan, Anna’s father and 2014 UC alum. “She was looking at the top programs in the country for art and design.” DAAP Dean Timothy Jachna was on site for the surprise.
“I appreciate UC reaching out and acknowledging her hard work,” said Jen Horgan, Anna’s mother. “I am sure she will excel.”
Cincinnati surprises continue
University officials also surprised students at Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) with news of their acceptance:
- Helen Dawit, Western Hills University High School
- Jaylen Green, Withrow University High School
- Jamiah Mixon, Withrow University High School
- Kailei Brown, Woodward Career Technical High School
Officials at UC regional colleges UC Blue Ash and UC Clermont also offered pleasant surprises for area students on Decision Day.
Follow media coverage from the day
Media from across Cincinnati covered the day’s events:
Why choose UC?
“Decision Day is one of the most exciting days of the year,” explains Jack Miner, vice provost for enrollment management at UC. “We are literally making dreams come true. Please pay attention to these students, Cincinnati. These will be our teachers, entrepreneurs, doctors, nurses, engineers, artists and community leaders for years to come.”
Roll out the welcome wagon! UC officials and students traveled to area high schools to surprise students on Decision Day. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
So far UC has received 32,000 applications for all of its campuses — a 22% increase over last year.
About 56% of those applications are from women and 44% from men. The university has seen a 43% increase in applications from Black students, a 38% increase from Latinx students and a 38% increase from first-generation students.
Miner says applications from CPS students have jumped by 28%. The Cincinnati Pride Grant has been instrumental in providing financial assistance to CPS students who are eligible for the federal Pell grant.
“We are on track to have yet another year of record enrollment and our largest, most diverse, and academically strongest freshman class in UC’s history,” says Miner.
UC has been in the spotlight in recent years, giving families near and far a reason to consider the benefits of becoming a Bearcat. UC athletics and a move to the Big 12 are a draw for some, while others are attracted to a top-ranked co-op program.
Niche, a college ranking and review service, ranked UC No. 45 among the top public universities in the country and gave UC the top spot in the best college locations in Ohio category. U.S. News & World Report named UC among the most innovative national universities in 2022.
This is life-changing.
Helen Dawit Marian Spencer Scholarship recipient
Meet UC's newest Marian Spencer Scholars
Four students surprised today were awarded the Marian Spencer Scholarship. First announced in 2021, the scholarship covers undergraduate tuition, housing, service-learning opportunities and much more for high-achieving CPS students.
Read about last year’s inaugural class of Marian Spencer Scholars.
Dawit couldn't hold back the tears as the UC crew surprised her at school with not only news of admission, but the Spencer scholarship.
“This is life-changing,” said an emotional Dawit. “I didn't have the easiest time in high school. My family really pushed me.”
“Helen is dedicating her life to changing the world,” said Miner. “She is a perfect example of Marian Spencer.”
Emotions ran high as Helen Dawit was surprised at Western Hills University High School. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
Dawit is passionate about social justice and plans to study political science and calls Spencer one of her role models.
Despite working more than 30 hours a week, she still has a strong commitment to service. She volunteers to serve food at local churches and pantries and has helped organize a blood drive. Dawit is also a member of the Western Hills University High School safety team, which advocates for student mental health and emotional intelligence.
“Helen stands up for what is right,” said her older sister, Hemen Aklilu. “It doesn’t have to be a popular opinion but as long as she believes it is ethical, moral and something worth fighting for, it doesn’t matter if she is by herself or with others.”
Dawit has been admitted into the Bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies: Law and Society major offered through the UC College of Arts and Sciences.
Jack Miner with Jaylen Green right before he learns the news. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
Green takes his desire to help in the community seriously by volunteering in local food drives and fundraisers for charitable causes. At Withrow University High School, he works as a peer tutor and is an advocate for promoting healthy bodies and minds for students.
“This is a young person who will go far in life because he has what it takes: heart, motivation and intelligence,” said Monica Magliocco, guidance counselor at Withrow. “I have no doubt he will find success at the postsecondary education level.”
Green has been admitted into the first-year engineering program in the UC College of Engineering and Applied Science.
John Weidner, CEAS dean, was on hand to congratulate and welcome Green to UC as were members of UC Bearcat Bands and UC dance and cheer teams.
Mixon was all smiles once she saw the celebration was for her. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
Mixon is captain of the varsity volleyball team at Withrow and uses her leadership skills to organize tutorials and fundraisers for her team. She has been part of the Young Scholars Program at CPS and is a student ambassador. She works 25-30 hours weekly at a big-box store, but still found time to volunteer at UC Medical Center during the summer.
Mixon is “wise beyond her years,” said her grandmother, Darlene Tyler. “She is amazing. She has this drive and determination that is rare in her age group.”
Mixon has been admitted into the Carl H. Lindner College of Business. Marianne W. Lewis, PhD, dean of the College of Business, was on hand to welcome her to UC.
Both Green and Mixon were surprised by their awards and all the hoopla in Withrow’s gymnasium. School officials used a ruse to keep them in the dark.
“I honestly didn’t know,” said Mixon, about the scholarship. When she and Green were called to the counselor’s office, they thought they were in trouble. "I was so confused and I didn’t know what was going on. I got down here and everybody started jumping, applauding and hugging me and saying, 'congratulations,'" Mixon said.
When she realized what was really going on, she was thrilled by the day’s events, to say the least.
Mixon hugs her grandmother, who surprised her at school. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
The Bearcat escorted Brown into the gym for the surprise. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
Brown started her own business doing nails at the age of 14 and it has flourished ever since, so it’s no surprise her team won first place in the Young Entrepreneurs of Color competition. She also participates in programs sponsored by CPS’ Girls to Women Leadership Collaborative.
Her mother, Tanique Smith Brown, said her daughter has an interest in business and fashion, but also being an advocate for others.
“She can do whatever she puts her mind to,” Smith Brown said. “She’s very compassionate to others. She has a heart for people. She was raised in church so a lot of her foundation and what she pulls on is that, and I am so proud of her for that. She allows God to let her light shine through to be a blessing to others.”
Brown has been admitted to the exploratory studies program offered through the UC College of Arts and Sciences. She said UC was attractive because it was close to home and her older sister, Aryian Brown, is studying public relations at the university.
Aryian along with her grandparents and parents were on hand to congratulate Kailei.
“I have a support system to assist me on my journey and I have individuals to network with at UC,” said Brown. “I haven’t figured everything out, but I am hoping going to UC will help me figure out my next path.”
Families, friends and reporters were on hand to be part of the celebration. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
Horgan's parents — and the Bearcat — surprised her at school to celebrate. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
Green is shocked by the exciting news. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
Kailei Brown is excited to learn she received a Marian Spencer Scholarship. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
Regional Decision Day surprises
Officials from UC Blue Ash College and UC Clermont College also hosted Decision Day surprises for area students:
- Sophia Clark, West Clermont High School
- Kristen Lammrish, Batavia High School
- Brooke Hewitt, Sycamore High School
- Ava Hartmann, William Mason High School
Featured image at top: UC officials surprise Helen Dawit at Western Hills University High School. All photos/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
Become a Bearcat
Whether you’re a first-generation student or from a family of Bearcats, UC is proud to support you at every step along your journey. We want to make sure you succeed — and feel right at home.
Tags
- Impact
- College bound
- Experience-based Learning
- College of Arts and Sciences
- Student Experience
- Faculty Staff
- Blue Ash College
- Clermont College
- College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning
- Admissions
- Diversity
- Lindner College of Business
- #UCtheGood
- CPS Strong
- Athletics
- Next Lives Here
- College of Engineering and Applied Science
- City of Cincinnati
Related Stories
Bearcat dreams come true on Decision Day
January 23, 2023
The newest Bearcats learn they’ve been accepted into the University of Cincinnati on Decision Day, and UC officials surprised area students at their high schools with admission, scholarships and more.
UC surprises future Bearcats on Decision Day
January 24, 2022
Decision Day marks the moment when thousands of incoming Bearcats learn they’ve been accepted to the University of Cincinnati. University officials surprised four area high school seniors at their schools and homes, making them among the first to be accepted into UC in 2022.
Classes begin for increasingly diverse student body at UC
August 23, 2021
The first day of classes for the fall semester at the University of Cincinnati starts Monday, Aug. 23, and more than 46,700 students are expected to begin instruction with a more traditional fall term, focusing on in-person instruction and activities.