Wisconsin Expands Direct Admit Program to Boost College Enrollment

MADISON, Wis. (Civic Media) — There’s increasing efforts to get more kids in college. Several more Wisconsin school districts are joining in on the effort to streamline college admissions for high school students. The program, launched by the Universities of Wisconsin, aims to increase college enrollment by eliminating application barriers.

Recently added to the Direct Admit Wisconsin program was Racine Unified. That district joins Hartford Union High School, Milwaukee Public Schools, and about 300 other districts among those participating in the initiative.

The program allows qualified students to be admitted to participating University of Wisconsin schools without submitting a traditional application. Students only need to opt in to the program during their junior year. Admission decisions are based on unweighted GPA and academic coursework, with offer letters sent in the summer before senior year.

Ten UW campuses are participating, including UW-Superior, River Falls, Stout, Platteville, Whitewater, Parkside, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Stevens Point, and Green Bay.

A website says the program aims to remove barriers in the college application process, particularly for underrepresented students. By simplifying admissions, Direct Admit Wisconsin hopes to encourage more high school students to pursue higher education.

Students interested in participating should contact their school counselors for more information and opt-in instructions. Here’s a list of partcipating school districts.