Direct Admissions Best Practices
From researching options, to navigating various application processes and deadlines, the college admissions process can be complex. Direct admissions policies vary across states, but the central theme is that high school students, particularly high school juniors and seniors, receive letters of admission to postsecondary institutions before they ever apply to them. Students receive their admission letters based on academic metrics such as GPA, standardized test scores, and coursework, helping them see that they are college material and also preventing students from undermatching.
Direct admissions policies are rapidly expanding among states, communities, and higher education institutions. In fact, 400,000 first-generation and low- and middle-income
students across 28 states received direct admissions offers for the 2024-25 school year.
The potentially motivating aspect of direct admissions policies is important. Before students take any of the steps associated with applying, they need the belief that college is a postsecondary option for them and the motivation to pursue it. For students
who hadn’t previously considered a college pathway following high school, direct admissions can be the spark that kickstarts this process.
Early research analyzing the effectiveness of these policies is promising. An analysis conducted for the Common
App’s direct admissions program found that direct admissions increases students' likelihood to apply to college, especially among students from low-income backgrounds, first-generation students, and students of color. Direct admissions can also impact
enrollment. Idaho, for example, increased first-time undergraduate enrollment by 4-8% through its statewide direct admissions program.
It’s worth noting that much of this research was conducted during or shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic, and more current studies are needed to understand its effects in a typical year. Future research should be conducted on additional states’ direct
admissions policies to further explore the effects of various program types on students' college application and college-going behaviors.
States looking to adopt a direct admissions policy should consider the following set of
principles.
The National College Attainment Network (NCAN) recommends that states:
- Streamline or eliminate additional application processes. Upon receiving a direct admissions letter, students should be eligible to enroll and allowed to bypass typical college application requirements such as personal essays and letters of recommendation.
- Start communication with students early. For some students, receiving an admissions offer in their senior year might be too late if they haven’t previously considered
college. Beginning outreach as early as middle school can plant the seed that college is for them, which could impact academic performance and planning leading up to senior year.
- Attach financial aid award estimates and/or scholarships to direct admissions offers. Regardless of whether students are directly admitted, the cost of college is a major barrier for many students. Providing financial aid estimates
and scholarships can help students see a realistic path forward.
- Waive college application fees. For direct admissions programs that require students to complete an application, breaking down additional financial barriers, such as application fees, can make the path to college clearer.
- Inform students that they have met the admissions criteria for colleges and universities. At the heart of direct admissions is a proactive message to students that they have been admitted to one or more institutions while clearly
communicating the next steps and additional information required to accept that offer of admission.
- Follow student data privacy laws. Direct admissions programs rely on student-level data (e.g., GPA, test scores, and course completions). Ensure compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
- Inform and involve school leaders in the process. Teachers, counselors, and other education professionals can provide additional context and support about their students’ offer(s), and encourage further instruction about college-going.
States with Direct Admissions Policies