Common App launches 2024–2025 direct admissions program with 117 colleges and universities

Arlington, VA – Today, Common App launched its direct admissions program for the 2024–2025 application season with 117 member colleges and universities. Beginning this month, first-generation and low and middle-income students who are college-interested will receive proactive admissions offers. New to the direct admissions program this year is the ability for students to regularly see, learn, and act on their offers directly in the application. Common App Direct Admissions also includes outreach and resources to counselors and families with students receiving direct admissions offers. 

“As we continue to work toward our moonshot goal of increasing the number of low- and middle-income students applying to postsecondary opportunities, it’s imperative that we find ways to change the narrative about college from one of scarcity to one of opportunity,” said Jenny Rickard, President & CEO of Common App. “With today's launch of our 2024–2025 Common App Direct Admissions program, even more students will know they are worthy and welcome on a college campus.”

Common App has piloted a direct admissions program since 2021, extending admission offers to students who created a Common App account and provided enough academic information– but had not yet completed all–of their open applications. The organization launched its full-scale program last year, offering over 400,000 first-generation and low-income students direct admissions from 71 colleges and universities. Results showed that 3 out of 4 students who added a school to their college list upon receiving a direct admission offer applied to that school.

Common App’s direct admissions program is one of the many ways the organization is expanding the students it serves through its Next Chapter, with a moonshot goal to close its equity gap for low- and middle-income students accessing postsecondary opportunities by 2030. 

The participating Direct Admissions members come from 35 states.

Alabama
Auburn University at Montgomery

Alaska
University of Alaska Fairbanks

Arkansas
Hendrix College

California
Menlo College
Mount Saint Mary's University Los Angeles
Saint Mary's College of California
University of the Pacific
Whittier College

Colorado
Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver)
Naropa University
Regis University

Florida
Eckerd College
Saint Leo University
Stetson University

Georgia
Brenau University
Georgia State University
Oglethorpe University

Illinois
Columbia College Chicago
Elmhurst University
Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois Wesleyan University
Millikin University
Monmouth College (IL)

Indiana
University of Evansville
University of Saint Francis
Wabash College

Iowa
St. Ambrose University

Kansas
Kansas State University

Kentucky
Spalding University
Thomas More University
Transylvania University
University of Kentucky

Maryland
Coppin State University
Towson University
Washington College
University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Massachusetts
Fisher College
Hampshire College
Lasell University
Merrimack College
Regis College
Salem State University
University of Massachusetts Boston
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Western New England University
Westfield State University

Michigan
Central Michigan University
Madonna University

Minnesota
Augsburg University
College of St. Benedict
Concordia University, St. Paul
Hamline University (MN)
Saint John's University (MN)
The College of St. Scholastica

Missouri
Maryville University of St. Louis
Truman State University

Nebraska
Nebraska Wesleyan University

New Hampshire
Keene State College

New Jersey
Centenary University
Felician University
Kean University
Rider University
Saint Elizabeth University
Stockton University

Nevada
University of Nevada, Reno

New York
Iona University
Manhattan College
Manhattanville University
Mercy University
Nazareth University
New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)
Niagara University
Paul Smith's College
St. Thomas Aquinas College
SUNY Buffalo State University
The New School
Wagner College

North Carolina
Methodist University
University of North Carolina Asheville
Wingate University

Ohio
College of Wooster
Hiram College
Wittenberg University

Oklahoma
Oral Roberts University

Oregon
Oregon Tech
Portland State University

Pennsylvania
Allegheny College
Arcadia University
Chatham Universit
Immaculata University
King's College
Lincoln University (PA)
Moravian University
Neumann University
Pennsylvania Western University
Robert Morris University (PA)
Rosemont College
York College of Pennsylvania

Rhode Island
Salve Regina University

South Carolina
Spartanburg Methodist College

Tennessee
The University of Memphis

Texas
Austin College
Houston Christian University
McMurry University
Southern Methodist University
St. Edward's University
University of Texas Arlington

Virginia
Christopher Newport University
Emory & Henry University
George Mason University
Marymount University
Richard Bland College of William and Mary
University of Lynchburg
Virginia Commonwealth University

Vermont
Vermont State University

Washington
Whitworth University

Wisconsin
St. Norbert College

About Common App

Common App is a not-for-profit member organization committed to the pursuit of access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process. Each year, more than one million students apply to college through the Common App’s online application. In January 2019, the Common App united with Reach Higher, the college access and success campaign started by former First Lady Michelle Obama during her time at the White House.

By joining forces, Common App and Reach Higher accelerated progress toward our joint goal of supporting all students, especially low-income and first-generation students, in achieving their higher education dreams. 

Founded in 1975, Common App serves over 1,100 member colleges and universities worldwide. In 2023, the organization launched its Next Chapter with the goal of closing its equity gap in low- and middle-income students applying to college by 2030. To learn more, visit commonapp.org and follow @CommonApp and #CommonApp on social media.