MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - More than 150 schools from across the state are joining Direct Admit Wisconsin, a program where qualified high school students from participating schools are automatically admitted to ten of the 13 Universities of Wisconsin without having to submit an application.
Nearly 34,000 high school seniors from 467 schools across Wisconsin recently received admission offers from the Universities of Wisconsin under the second year of Direct Admit Wisconsin, UWs President Jay Rothman announced on Wednesday.
That’s an increase of 155 schools and at least 9,000 students compared to 2024.
“Direct Admit Wisconsin is making it easier than ever to explore an education at the Universities of Wisconsin,” Rothman said.
Last month, the UWs launched the latest round of Direct Admit Wisconsin with the release of automatic offers of admission to high school seniors, the Class of 2026.
“We believe Direct Admit is simplifying access to college and helping lead increased enrollment at our public universities,” Rothman added.
Students must choose to participate in the program and are admitted based upon their grades and coursework after completion of their junior year. They must meet all admissions requirements, enroll for their senior year of high school, and stay on track to graduate.
Rothman says Direct Admit is playing a key role in the future of Wisconsin’s economy with the goal of increasing rates of students going to college after high school.
“I’ve heard a number of anecdotes where parents have told me that their student was not really engaged and not thinking about going to college, wasn’t sure whether or not they were capable of doing college-level work. They get the letter from us saying that you’re accepted into these universities and it changes their perspective,” he said.
Rothman encouraged incoming high school seniors to check their high school email accounts and to follow the instructions for next steps to learn about the Universities of Wisconsin that have admitted them. Students will need to complete a free Direct Admit form to connect with the UWs they are interested in and accept their admission offers.
In addition to email, the admitted students will receive an additional communication through the U.S. mail this month. A second round of admission decisions for another group of seniors will come in October.
All UW universities except UW-Eau Claire, UW-La Crosse, and UW-Madison participate in Direct Admit Wisconsin. Students, including those receiving Direct Admit offers, may still apply to those universities.
Overall, Direct Admit Wisconsin delivered July admission offers to 33,523 Wisconsin high school seniors in 467 participating schools. That compares to more than 24,000 offers of admission sent in the first year of the program in 2024, when 312 high schools participated. The students who accepted offers of admission in 2024 will arrive on UW campuses this September.
The 467 Wisconsin high schools currently participating in Direct Admit Wisconsin educate more than 80% of Wisconsin juniors. About 60% of all high schools in Wisconsin and 70% of all public high schools are participating in Direct Admit Wisconsin.
“I have been tremendously impressed with Wisconsin’s Direct Admit program and its impact on our students,” Waunakee Community School District’s Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction Tim Schell said. “The Universities of Wisconsin Admission Pathway Portal has operated efficiently, creating a seamless experience that has meaningfully eased how our students approach higher education admissions.”
Schell said Direct Admit has successfully raised awareness about university opportunities while reducing traditional barriers that previously discouraged many capable students from fully considering their options for further learning.
“I’m grateful to see Wisconsin leading the way in making college more accessible for all our students,” Sadded.
For a full list of participating school districts, click here.
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