Direct Admissions: A New Approach to Increasing Enrollment

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A new type of admissions process is being implemented in colleges and universities that Forbes describes as a “flipped system” in which colleges decide to offer admission to applicants without making them go through an extensive admissions process. Instead of submitting an application, essay, test scores, etc. to each school an applicant is interested in attending, they submit one profile with all of their documents, and participating colleges review these profiles and extend offers of admission to those they find would be a strong fit for their program.

Direct admissions is mostly for schools that have high acceptance rates, and it is unlikely we will see schools like Harvard or Yale implementing this type of admissions process in the future. It is important to recognize that direct admissions does not mean that if a student creates a profile on a centralized system, they will automatically be admitted to each college that participates in the direct admissions process. It is simply a new way for college admissions departments to review applications and takes some burden off applicants. The ultimate goal of this new admissions process is to boost enrollment at colleges and universities that have seen decreased enrollment. Can this new process achieve that goal?

Idaho’s success has given way for other programs to participate in direct admissions, which offers a number of benefits to applicants. First, it is more time-efficient for applicants who are applying to multiple schools. Since applicants are bypassing the traditional lengthy application process and don’t need letters of recommendation, they can focus on crafting their profiles and honing their skills and talents for admissions committees. Direct admissions is also more cost-effective compared to paying fees for each school application.

Along with saving time and money, this can immensely mitigate stress for applicants as it takes away the pressure that traditional admissions processes can put on a student. Students can focus less on meeting multiple admissions requirements for various schools and more on their unique qualities and skillsets.

One of the most important advantages of direct admissions is a recent development that comes from the Common Application, which is a single online college application form used by over 900 colleges and universities. This application system is one of the major platforms that utilize direct admissions. In 2019, they launched a pilot program that offers non-binding guaranteed admission for qualified applicants in an effort to remove barriers in the college admissions process. Forbes stated that “In the latest version of the pilot, six participating colleges offered admission to 18,000 students; over 800 students accepted the offer. The impact of the pilot was strongest for Black or African American, Latinx, and first-generation students, according to Common App.” There is no question that implementing this type of program has helped underrepresented students gain entry into various institutions across the U.S.

Additionally, this is a highly competitive process, which means not all students may be eligible for admission or qualify as an option. Though there has been some positive correlation between low-income students and students of color benefiting from the direct admissions process, there are still a lot of applicants that fall below GPA requirements and slip through the cracks by the sheer design of direct admissions. This can be a monumental barrier to entry for underrepresented applicants who fall below eligibility criteria.

Although the process may seem more fair and equitable than the traditional route, there is still unclear communication from programs about the specific criteria for direct admissions and the selection process. Some programs utilize GPAs, others specific talents and skills of applicants, residency, etc. This lack of transparency does not solve the problem that traditional admissions processes already face.

It is incumbent upon colleges and universities to be transparent about their selection criteria and strive to uphold diversity and inclusion through a fair and equitable admissions process, and direct admissions may undermine that process.

This new process has some impact on the higher education landscape, but it is unlikely to overpower traditional admissions processes on its own. Direct admissions plays a role in addressing some challenges facing higher education today, such as declining enrollment. By offering a streamlined admissions process, direct admissions may be able to attract more students who are looking for a simpler and more efficient way to apply to college. It can also help colleges and universities build relationships with high schools and community colleges which may help to strengthen their pipeline of prospective students, but it is not a comprehensive substitute for the traditional admissions process for all colleges and universities.

Overall, while direct admissions may not fundamentally transform this landscape, it may be a useful tool for some colleges and universities to adapt to changing student needs and preferences and to remain competitive in an increasingly competitive higher education ecosystem.