Common App launches third round of direct admissions pilot with 14 colleges and universities

Today, Common App announced the 2022-2023 launch of its direct admissions pilot, which aims to flip the script on college admissions and offer proactive admission to college-interested students. 

“Direct admissions is about changing the narrative of a college education from one of scarcity to one of opportunity,  by ensuring students know that college opportunity is an abundant resource — and one that’s available to them,” said Jenny Rickard, President & CEO of Common App. “No waiting, no wondering if the institution is looking for a specific set of characteristics. While we’re still in the early stages of this pilot, we’re excited about the potential of this work to help more students pursue a college education.”

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 18,000 students at six 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. 

For the third round of the pilot, Common App and 14 participating institutions reached out to nearly 30,000 students with direct admission offers. 

The 2022-2023 pilot class includes:
 

Augsburg University

Austin Peay State University

Frostburg State University

George Mason University

Iona University

Kean University*

Marymount University

Mercy College*

Montclair State University*

New Jersey City University*

Stockton University

University of Maryland Eastern Shore*

Utica University

Virginia Commonwealth University

“Montclair is thrilled to be partnering with Common App's direct admit program again this year. We look forward to admitting many talented students through this innovative initiative and furthering our mission of providing access to affordable, high-quality higher education for all,” said Jordanna Maziarz, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Montclair State University.

"Our institutional commitments to equity and inclusion require that we work to transform inequitable systems in higher education. We jumped at the opportunity to pilot direct admissions through the Common App as part of a comprehensive new approach we call Augsburg Applies to You. Moving away from a gatekeeper model of admissions means we can connect with students who thought college was out of reach. It gives our counselors more capacity to support students through the college selection process and cultivate a sense of belonging even before they set foot on campus,” said Robert Gould, Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management, Augsburg University. 

"The Direct Admissions program from Common App provides Kean University with an additional tool to advance our mission of fostering equity, diversity and inclusion in higher education. We are committed to supporting the academic hopes and dreams of all students, particularly minority and first-generation students, and through the Direct Admissions program, we expect even more students to discover how they can climb higher at Kean,” said Michael Salvatore, Ph.D., Senior Vice President for Administration at Kean University.

*Indicates Minority-Serving Institution status