Have you received an offer of admission from a college you did not apply to? You’re not alone! Colleges and universities across the United States are utilizing the Common Application’s direct admission program to reach students who may not otherwise know they are a great fit for their school. Allow an offer like this to motivate and encourage you during your college search and application journey.
What is Common App Direct Admissions?
Common App Direct Admissions was developed to extend college admission offers to eligible first-generation and low- and middle-income students, based on information students have entered through the Common App.
How Does it Work?
Before a student applies to a specific school, 117 participating colleges can proactively offer admission based on eligibility criteria determined by the college. Offers can be received by email or by a notification on the student’s Common App dashboard.
If a student chooses to apply to the school, the application fee is waived and the school will need to verify the accuracy of the information submitted on the Common Application, often through the submission of official documents like school forms and transcripts.
Once the school verifies that the student meets all requirements, they will then present a formal offer of acceptance to the student. The offer will be non-binding, meaning the student can decide whether or not to enroll at a later date.
What are the Benefits of the Program?
In addition to waiving application fees, colleges and universities may choose to waive other admissions requirements, such as the personal essay, teacher evaluations, and/or counselor recommendations. Some schools also provide merit-based aid to applicants that officially apply and are accepted to the schools.
To learn more about the benefits provided by schools in the program, reference each participating college’s offer details.
What about Other Direct Admissions Programs?
The Common App is not the only source for direct admissions. There are some colleges and universities that have partnered with companies like Niche and Concourse to offer their own direct admissions programs with varying criteria. States such as Idaho, Minnesota, and Hawaii have implanted statewide direct admissions programs, as well. No matter what kind of direct admissions offer you may receive, be sure to understand the requirements you need to fulfill to officially apply.
How Will Direct Admissions Impact You?
Direct admissions programs may pave the way for your acceptance to a fantastic college with a great financial aid package you may not have considered otherwise—a huge and positive impact!
But these programs may not impact you at all, as you may not meet the eligibility criteria and receive these offers. It’s also important to note that certain degree programs may require additional application requirements, and you may not qualify for admission even if you were extended a direct admissions offer.
The most important thing to understand: a direct admissions offer is not an official offer of acceptance from a college or university.
If you have any questions about direct admissions offers you receive, you can speak with your school counselor or the admissions offices of the colleges you’ve received offers from for more specific information.
And if you would like to learn more about how colleges utilize Common App Direct Admissions, check out our podcast episode on the topic, watch this short video explanation, or refer to the FAQ Page on the Common App’s website. If you have any further questions, reach out to our college planning team at [email protected] or (800) 449-MEFA (6332).
