Common App launches direct admissions program with 70 colleges and universities

Arlington, VA- Today, Common App launched its direct admissions program with 70 member colleges and universities. This month, over 200,000 first-generation and low and middle-income students who are college-interested will receive proactive admissions offers. Common App Direct Admissions also includes outreach and resources to families and counselors with students receiving direct admissions offers. With the launch of this program, 1 in 8 first-year applicants in the U.S. with a Common App account who plan to attend college in Fall 2024 will receive at least one direct offer of admission.

“From the beginning, Common App's approach to direct admissions has been grounded in our mission of access, equity, and integrity and in research. Over three rounds of pilots, we have learned through data that the greatest promise of direct admissions is its power to change the narrative of higher education from one of scarcity to one of opportunity,” said Jenny Rickard, President & CEO of Common App. “With today's launch of our full-scale Common App Direct Admissions program, even more students will know they are worthy and welcomed on a college campus.”

Common App has piloted a direct admissions program since 2021, offering admission to students who created a Common App account and provided enough academic information– but had not yet completed all–of their open applications. The latest iteration of the pilot offered admission to 33,000 students at 14 participating institutions, and over 800 students accepted the offer. Results showed the impacts of the intervention were strongest for Black or African American, Latinx, and First-generation students. 

Colleges and universities participating in Common App Direct Admissions include:

Arkansas
Hendrix College

California
Mount Saint Mary's University Los Angeles
Woodbury University

Colorado
Regis University

Florida
Eckerd College
Stetson University

Georgia
Brenau University

Illinois
Millikin University
Western Illinois University

Indiana
University of Evansville
University of Saint Francis

Kentucky
Thomas More University

Massachusetts
Hampshire College
Lasell University
Lesley University
Regis College
University of Massachusetts Boston
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Western New England University

Maryland
Capitol Technology University
Towson University
University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Michigan
Central Michigan University

Minnesota
Augsburg University
The College of St. Scholastica
Concordia University, St. Paul

Missouri
Truman State University

North Carolina
Wingate University

New Jersey
Centenary University
Kean University
Montclair State University
Rider University
Stockton University

Nevada
University of Nevada, Reno

New York
Iona 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
Wells College

Ohio
College of Wooster
Wittenberg University

Oklahoma
Oral Roberts University

Oregon
Oregon Tech
Portland State University

Pennsylvania
Allegheny College
Arcadia University
Immaculata University
Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)
Neumann University
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
St. Edward's University

Virginia
Christopher Newport University
George Mason University
Marymount University
University of Lynchburg
Virginia Commonwealth 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 1,000 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.