By Alessandra Cipriani-Detres, Senior Associate, Strategic Initiatives
Reading time: Five minutes
The goal of direct admissions is…well, what should it be? Too often, we think of college and career readiness (CCR) policies and programs as cure-alls for college access and completion. But if college access is like a puzzle with the pieces being
affordability, academic preparedness, guidance, and support, direct admissions is just one piece. Its purpose is important: to simplify complex admissions processes by proactively admitting high school seniors to colleges, eliminating the need for
students to apply on their own.
Direct admissions programs vary in how they function. National programs such as the Common App extend admissions offers to students based on information already in their profiles. State-led models
range from homegrown programs such as Idaho’s Campus Choice, to those implemented in partnership with third parties, such as Alabama and the Match platform. Local programs also play a critical role in states without statewide policies, often involving partnerships between high schools or districts and colleges or university
systems, like UP Partnership’s work in San Antonio, TX. If you’d like to learn more about some of these programs work, take a look at the National College Attainment Network’s (NCAN’s)
webinar recording, Does Direct Admissions Work? Insights and Strategies from the Field.
Over 400,000 students received direct admissions offers for the 2024-25 school year. With so many states adopting direct admissions policies, you might be wondering,
how does direct admissions impact students’ college-going behavior? Recent research has begun to shed light on this very question.
Idaho’s Approach Increases College Enrollment
Starting at the state level, Idaho’s Campus Choice direct admissions program guarantees acceptance to specific state-funded colleges for every graduating senior. Students simply complete a free application on Apply Idaho, the state’s direct admissions
website, and colleges determine admittance using state standard achievement test scores and GPA.
Idaho was the first state to adopt a direct admissions program in 2015 and has since influenced numerous other states to follow suit. To date, NCAN has identified 15 states with statewide direct
admissions programs. The research conducted on Idaho’s Campus Choice program was one of the first to analyze the efficacy of a large-scale state direct admissions program, and researchers uncovered
the following impacts on institutional enrollment:
Direct admissions boosted first-time undergraduate enrollment by 4–8% (an average of 50–100 students per campus)
In-state enrollment increased by 8–15% (about 80–140 students per campus)
There was minimal to no effect on the enrollment of Pell-eligible students
Most enrollment gains occurred at two-year, open-access institutions
Idaho’s approach meaningfully expanded enrollment, particularly among in-state students and at open-access institutions. These findings demonstrate that simplifying the admissions process can draw more students into the postsecondary pipeline, but Idaho’s
direct admissions program having a minimal impact on the enrollment of Pell-eligible students suggests that the policy alone might not be enough to shift access for low-income students. Taken together, these findings point to Campus Choice as a powerful
tool for increasing overall enrollment, but one that must be paired with additional supports to help students overcome other barriers, such as affordability, to college enrollment.
Common App’s Approach Increases Applications
The Common App is best known for streamlining the traditional college application process by having students complete one “common” application for all colleges and universities that partner with the platform, in addition to any supplemental materials
required by the institutions. The Common App’s direct admissions feature uses data that students have added to their profiles, such as GPA, and extends admissions offers to first-generation and low- and middle-income students.
A study of the Common App’s direct admissions program pilot year yielded more modest results. When it came to the
program’s impact on college applications, students who received direct admissions offers were:
Nearly twice as likely to apply to the college that admitted them
2.7% more likely to apply to any college. Interest was highest for offers from large, high-quality schools
3–6% more likely to apply if they were underrepresented minority students
4% more likely to apply if they were first-generation students
5% more likely to apply if they were students from low-income backgrounds
However, increased applications did not lead to statistically significant enrollment changes. About 86% of applicants enrolled somewhere, but direct admission had no effect on whether they chose the partner institution over another school.
Although the college enrollment outcomes were less impactful, this research underscores a critical point: direct admissions is not a silver bullet. It removes a barrier, but students still face challenges related to affordability, advising, and understanding
their options. Each incremental improvement matters, and learning how to refine and adapt interventions like direct admissions is essential.
One example of this refinement is underway in Tennessee. This November, graduating high school seniors received direct admissions letters showing which in-state universities have already accepted
them. Some of these students received financial aid estimates along with their letters. By collaborating with researchers, this pilot program will uncover whether including financial aid information with direct admissions offers impacts students’
college-going behavior. This type of evidence building is key to optimizing the effects of direct admissions for more students.
What to Watch in the World of Direct Admissions
With direct admissions expanding nationwide, NCAN is keeping an eye on states adopting new policies. Recent states include:
Illinois, which has partnered with the Common App to launch the One Click College Admit program. Students simply create a Common App account, complete their profile, and enter
information such as GPA and an in-state address.
Hawaii, whose Direct2UH program invites students to confirm basic information and GPA before receiving admissions offers from the University of Hawaii system’s seven community colleges
and two four-year institutions.
To support the field, NCAN has launched a new Direct Admissions Best Practices hub, which is designed to help states, institutions, and partners understand the programs and policies that are already
in place across the country. This resource brings together states with a direct admissions program as well as practical guidance for those considering implementation.
Direct admissions is reshaping the way students move from high school to higher education. The emerging research makes it clear that while direct admissions can open doors for many more students, especially when thoughtfully designed, it works best as
part of a broader ecosystem of support. When paired with clear communication, affordability information, and intentional outreach to students, direct admissions can meaningfully strengthen college-going pathways.
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