Revolutionizing College Admissions: Schools Embrace Direct Admissions Approach
In an effort to alleviate the pressure associated with college applications, some institutions are adopting a novel strategy known as direct admissions. This innovative process allows colleges to offer admission to students who have not formally applied, reversing the traditional application dynamic.
SARAH MCCAMMON, HOST: For many students, applying to college is a daunting task compounded by financial concerns. Imagine a scenario where colleges reach out to you instead. This is the reality for some students, thanks to direct admissions. Kirk Carapezza from member station GBH reports on this emerging trend.
KIRK CARAPEZZA, BYLINE: Ndilei Lukulay, whose mother emigrated from Sierra Leone, grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts. She recalls her anxiety about the college application process.
NDILEI LUKULAY: I didn’t know where to start and I was very stressed out about the whole thing.
CARAPEZZA: The high cost of tuition further compounded her worries.
LUKULAY: When you see the prices going up until, like, the six-figure range for the total of, like, four years, I was like, I don’t know how I’m going to be able to pay that off.
CARAPEZZA: Western New England University, located in her hometown, offered her automatic admission and a scholarship without a formal application. Initially, she questioned the offer’s legitimacy.
LUKULAY: So I was, like, is this a scam? Is this real?
CARAPEZZA: It was indeed genuine. Western New England, a private university with over 2,000 students, extended offers to more than 2,000 potential students. This approach bypasses traditional elements like essays and interviews, relying instead on criteria such as GPA and intended major.
LUKULAY: I just never heard anything about it and I was like, it’s that easy? They already got back to me?
CARAPEZZA: At least ten schools in Massachusetts, along with institutions in states like California and Minnesota, have adopted direct admissions. The movement addresses concerns about the value of a college degree amid declining numbers of high school graduates pursuing higher education.
ANGEL PEREZ: The movement is growing.
CARAPEZZA: Angel Perez, CEO of the National Association for College Admission Counseling, advocates for this simplified process.
PEREZ: And the way to ensure that we have more students in the pipeline to higher education is by removing some of the barriers.
CARAPEZZA: With at least 16 nonprofit colleges closing this year, the strategy is pertinent. Luke Skurman, CEO of Niche, assists colleges in implementing direct admissions to fill available seats.
LUKE SKURMAN: Frankly, there is more supply than demand.
CARAPEZZA: Skurman notes that today’s students prefer quick and transparent processes.
SKURMAN: This is a generation that’s used to Uber to show up at their doorstep and not wait six to nine months for an admissions acceptance letter.
CARAPEZZA: While direct admissions empowers families, its impact on enrollment varies, as explained by Jennifer Delaney.
JENNIFER DELANEY: It’s not always able to move the needle on the enrollment side of things.
CARAPEZZA: Delaney, who teaches higher education policy at the University of California-Berkeley, evaluated Idaho’s pioneering direct admissions program. Her findings revealed a 4% increase in full-time undergraduate enrollment and an 8% boost in in-state enrollment.
DELANEY: Having a bird in the hand in Idaho meant that you stayed in Idaho for school, and you didn’t go out of state.
CARAPEZZA: For low-income students, however, admission alone is insufficient.
DELANEY: Admissions isn’t enough. You’ve got to be admitted and be able to pay for it.
CARAPEZZA: Consequently, more schools are integrating direct financial aid offers into their admissions strategies.
In Western New England University’s student center, the atmosphere is lively with students engaging in games like pingpong. Freshman Marykate Agnes, who benefited from direct admissions and financial aid, is among over 200 students who accepted similar offers.
MARYKATE AGNES: I think that it’s just an awesome thing, and it takes stress off of the students.
CARAPEZZA: Agnes isn’t concerned about attending a less prestigious institution, emphasizing the significance of the college experience over the institution’s reputation.
From NPR News, this is Kirk Carapezza reporting.
