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Before You Even Apply: Common App Direct Admissions
August 28, 2025
Imagine getting an email from a college that says, "You've been pre-approved for admission. Simply complete your application to secure your spot." With the Common App's Direct Admissions Program, this is now possible. This new program flips the application process on its head.
Traditional applications can feel like a black hole. You submit your materials, pay fees, and then wait for months. Direct Admissions takes away that stress by automatically giving you conditional acceptances. In this new program, the Common App works like a matchmaker for college. Instead of you searching through endless college profiles and hoping for a response, colleges reach out to you first. What makes this different is that you know the college will admit you before you even apply. Now, instead of worrying if you will get in, you can focus on whether the school is the right fit for you.
Who is Eligible?
Direct Admissions is specifically designed for students who traditionally face the biggest barriers to higher education:
First-generation college students
If you are the first in your family to earn a four-year degree, this program was built with you in mind.
Low- to middle-income families
Instead of requiring complicated income documentation, the program uses application fee waivers and zip codes as proxies for family income. If you qualify for a Common App fee waiver, you are automatically eligible. If not, your home zip code helps determine your eligibility based on the economic profile of your area.
Currently, only permanent residents of the U.S. with a minimum GPA are eligible.
Last Year's Impact
Last year's pilot program showed that the Direct Admission Program has had a real impact on thousands of students.
733,000+ students received direct admission offers
22% of these students added colleges to their list that they had never considered before
3 out of 4 students who received offers actually submitted applications
Students with the biggest barriers (fee waiver eligible, underrepresented minorities, first-generation) were nearly twice as likely to engage with offers
2025-26 Program Roll-Out
This application cycle marks the program's full roll-out:
With 225 participating colleges, including over 65 public universities, you have more opportunities than ever to be accepted at a school that fits your goals.
Rolling offers throughout the year
Direct Admissions offers start coming in mid-September and continue through May 2026. You may hear from schools throughout the cycle, and if your GPA improves senior year, you could receive more offers.
Sweet perks
Participating colleges don't just waive the application fees; they often sweeten the deal with additional benefits such as:
Waived application requirements like no letters of recommendation or essays
Guaranteed financial aid packages or minimum scholarship amounts
Priority consideration for honors programs or special opportunities
Participating Colleges in 2025-26
Source: College Board Counselor Webinar, August 2025
Getting Started
Getting started is simple:
Create your Common App account (if you haven't already)
Fill out the key eligibility information:
Your GPA, grading scale, and whether it is weighted
Permanent U.S. address
Parent education levels
Fee waiver question
Keep checking your dashboard and email account
Review your offers as they arrive
You will see all the details, perks, and requirements clearly laid out. Remember, all offers are conditional and will be confirmed once colleges review your official transcript and supporting documents.Add Direct Admission colleges to your list
Apply fee-free
Conclusion
Direct Admissions isn't about lowering standards; it is about removing barriers. The program addresses a harsh reality: talented students often don't apply to college simply because they don't think they belong.
When a college proactively says, "We want you," it can be the confidence boost that changes everything. These offers don't commit you to anything. Think of them as VIP invitations to explore schools you might not have considered. You can receive multiple offers, compare them, and make the choice that is right for you.
Participating Institutions
Public Universities
(Alabama - Nevada)
Public Universities
(Alabama - Nevada)
Alabama:
Alabama State University*
Auburn University at Montgomery
Alaska:
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Arizona:
Northern Arizona University*
Colorado:
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Georgia:
Georgia State University
Savannah State University*
Illinois:
Purdue University of Fort Wayne*
Vincennes University*
Maryland:
Coppin State University
Towson University
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Massachusetts:
Salem State University
University of Massachusetts Boston
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Westfield State University
Maine:
University of Maine at Fort Kent*
Michigan:
Central Michigan University
Grand Valley State University*
Lake Superior State University*
Minnesota:
University of Minnesota Morris*
Missouri:
Missouri University of Science and Technology*
Truman State University
University of Central Missouri*
New Hampshire:
Keene State College
Plymouth State University*
New Jersey:
Kean University
Montclair State University*
Stockton University
Nevada:
University of Nevada, Reno
*Joined the Common App Direct Admissions program this season.
Public Universities
(New York - West Virginia)
Public Universities
(New York - West Virginia)
New York:
Purchase College SUNY*
SUNY Buffalo State University
SUNY College at Brockport*
North Carolina:
Elizabeth City State University
University of North Carolina Asheville
Western Carolina University*
Ohio:
Shawnee State University*
Oklahoma:
East Central University*
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma*
Oregon:
Oregon Tech
Portland State University
Western Oregon University*
Pennsylvania:
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania*
Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)
Pennsylvania Western University
South Carolina:
South Carolina State University*
Tennessee:
The University of Memphis
Texas:
Lamar University*
Texas Woman’s University*
The University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Dallas*
Utah:
Utah State University*
Virginia:
Christopher Newport University
George Mason University
Old Dominion University*
Richard Bland College of William and Mary
The University of Virginia’s College at Wise*
Virginia Commonwealth University
Vermont:
Vermont State University
West Virginia:
Marshall University*
*Joined the Common App Direct Admissions program this season.
Private Colleges
(Alabama - New Hampshire)
Private Colleges
(Alabama - New Hampshire)
Alabama:
Tuskegee University*
Arkansas:
Hendrix College
California:
Drew University of Medicine & Science*
Dominican University of California*
Menlo College
Mount Saint Mary's University Los Angeles
Point Loma Nazarene University*
Saint Mary's College of California
University of the Pacific
Whittier College
Colorado:
Naropa University
Regis University
Connecticut:
University of Saint Joseph*
Florida:
Eckerd College
Saint Leo University
Stetson University
Georgia:
Brenau University
Oglethorpe University
Piedmont University*
Reinhardt University*
Wesleyan College*
Illinois:
Columbia College Chicago
Elmhurst University
Eureka College*
Illinois College*
Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois Wesleyan University
Millikin University
Monmouth College (IL)
Roosevelt University*
Indiana:
University of Evansville
University of Saint Francis
Trine University*
Wabash College
Iowa:
Cornell College*
Drake University*
St. Ambrose University
Upper Iowa University*
Kentucky:
Brescia University*
Spalding University
Thomas More University
Louisiana:
Xavier University of Louisiana*
Maryland:
Capitol Technology University*
Goucher College*
Mount St. Mary’s University*
Washington College
Massachusetts:
Curry College*
Dean College*
Fisher College
Hampshire College
Lasell University
Lesley University*
Merrimack College
Nichols College*
Regis College
Western New England University
Maine:
Thomas College*
University of New England*
Michigan:
Andrews University*
Baker College*
Madonna University
Minnesota:
Augsburg University
College of Saint Benedict
Concordia University, St. Paul
Gustavus Adolphus College*
Hamline University (MN)
Saint John's University (MN)
The College of St. Scholastica
Mississippi:
Belhaven University*
Missouri:
Cottey College*
Maryville University of St. Louis
Nebraska:
Nebraska Wesleyan University
New Hampshire:
Southern New Hampshire University*
*Joined the Common App Direct Admissions program this season.
Private Colleges
(New Jersey - Wisconsin)
Private Colleges
(New Jersey - Wisconsin)
New Jersey:
Centenary University
Felician University
Rider University
Saint Elizabeth University
Saint Peter’s University*
New York:
Hartwick College*
Iona University
Manhattan University
Manhattanville University
Mercy University
Nazareth University
New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)
Niagara University
Paul Smith's College
Roberts Wesleyan University
St. John Fisher University*
St. Thomas Aquinas College
The New School
University of Mount Saint Vincent*
Utica University*
Wagner College
North Carolina:
Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte*
Lenoir-Rhyne University*
Methodist University
North Carolina Wesleyan University*
Salem College*
Wingate University
Ohio:
Art Academy of Cincinnati*
College of Wooster
Denison University*
Hiram College
Mount Vernon Nazarene University*
Ohio Wesleyan University*
Tiffin University*
Wittenberg University
Oklahoma:
Oral Roberts University
Pennsylvania:
Allegheny College
Arcadia University
Carlow University*
Chatham University
Chestnut Hill College*
Duquesne University*
Gannon University*
Immaculata University
King’s College
La Roche University*
Lebanon Valley College*
Lycoming College*
Moravian University
Neumann University
Pennsylvania College of Art & Design
Robert Morris University (PA)
Thiel College*
York College of Pennsylvania
Rhode Island:
Johnson & Wales University-Providence*
Salve Regina University
South Carolina:
Spartanburg Methodist College
Tennessee:
Fisk University*
Tusculum University*
Texas:
Austin College
Houston Christian University
Lubbock Christian University*
McMurry University
Schreiner University*
St. Edward's University
St. Mary’s University*
Texas College*
University of Incarnate Word*
Virginia:
Eastern Mennonite University*
Hollins University*
Mary Baldwin University*
Marymount University
University of Lynchburg
Virginia Wesleyan University*
Vermont:
Norwich University*
Washington:
Pacific Lutheran University*
Saint Martin’s University*
Whitworth University
Washington D.C.:
George Washington University*
Wisconsin:
Milwaukee School of Engineering*
St. Norbert College
*Joined the Common App Direct Admissions program this season.
Free Tuition Institutions
Free Tuition Institutions
Some participating colleges offer completely free tuition programs with specific eligibility requirements:
New Jersey (Kean, Stockton, Rider Universities)
Garden State Guarantee covers tuition and fees for families earning up to $65,000Nevada (University of Nevada, Reno)
Nevada Guarantee covers tuition, fees, and books for Pell Grant-eligible in-state studentsNew York (Buffalo State University)
Excelsior Scholarship covers tuition for families earning $125,000 or lessOregon (Portland State University)
Tuition-Free Degree program covers tuition and most fees for Pell Grant-eligible in-state studentsPennsylvania (Allegheny College)
Free tuition and fees for families earning $50,000 or less (must submit FAFSA by May 1)Tennessee (University of Memphis)
Memphis Promise covers tuition for students with Hope Scholarship and Pell Grant eligibility
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