Direct Admissions: Is It College Admissions Newest Trend?

Direct admissions aims to simplify and enhance the admissions process by offering admission to qualified students prior to their application submission, usually based on GPA. Students who receive direct admission offers experience relief and increased confidence, knowing that a college has extended an offer based on their submitted information.

There are two types of direct admissions opportunities during the 2024–2025 admissions cycle:

• Common App Direct Admissions, which extends offers to first-generation and low- and middle-income students

• State partnerships with the Connecticut Automatic Admissions Program and the Illinois “One Click College Admit” Direct Admission Program

How It Works

• Participating colleges set their own admissions standards, such as a minimum GPA, and provide perks like waiving the essay requirement.

• Common App identifies first-generation, low- and middle-income students who meet these standards based on their Common App answers.

• Students are notified of direct admissions offers through their Common App accounts and via email.

• If a student decides to apply using this non-binding admissions offer, they are not required to pay an application fee and are not obligated to enroll if they apply.

• Colleges will review student applications to verify their accuracy. They will also ensure the applications meet their specified criteria, including any exceptions for college-specific programs and academic majors.

Common App Direct Admissions launched in September with 117 member colleges and universities (listed on the announcement news release). Niche has provided an additional list of colleges that currently offer Direct Admissions.

If you think Direct Admissions may be of interest to you, reach out to your College Hive Consultant today.