SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. — With the college application process ramping up across the country, three Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education schools are rolling out a new admissions process.
On Thursday, Kutztown University, Shippensburg University and Pennsylvania Western University announced a brand-new direct admissions program for the high school graduating class of 2025. The program would allow students to be automatically accepted and receive scholarship offers from all three schools without turning in applications.
The three schools are partnering with Niche Direct Application for this program.
“It allows us to introduce financial offers much earlier in the application process and get them to feel comfortable with that process," said Dr. Charles Patterson, president of Shippensburg University.
Shippensburg University had completed a one-year trial of the direct admission program with the previous graduating class. Dr. Patterson believes the new program will continue growing in popularity across the US.
“I think you’re going to see it adopted more at other universities across the country as a way to expedite admissions and reduce the barrier to entry for many of these processes," said Dr. Patterson.
Under the program, students will be accepted to all three schools, as long as they meet the admission requirements.
Aaron Walter, a guidance counselor at Red Land High School, believes the program will help reduce anxiety among students applying to college.
“To know instantly that you are a college student and we want you should be reassuring to a student and their family," said Walter.
So far, 41 Red Land seniors have applied to Shippensburg, while 13 have applied to Kutztown this fall. Walter said the direct admission program could also impact whether a student chooses to attend college.
“Knowing you can qualify for some automatic scholarship might put them in the financial ballpark that they’re looking for," said Walter.
PASSHE leaders say the goal of the program is to reduce barriers for students and streamline the process to receive a higher education in Pennsylvania.
"We look forward to committing to our students the great customer service we expect at the front of the application process, all the way through graduation," said Dr. Patterson.