What is Direct Admissions?
The Direct Admissions Minnesota program is designed to encourage all high school seniors on track to graduate to view themselves as “college ready” and “college material.” The program is now entering its third year. The purpose of Direct Admissions is to help alleviate some of the anxiety around the college application process by proactively informing students of the 2- and 4-year community, technical, tribal, public and private Minnesota colleges and universities that are committed to admitting them. Students will receive a personalized letter indicating that they have met the academic criteria for proactive general admission to participating colleges and outlines the steps required for students to select their institution(s).
Do students still have to submit an admissions application?
This will depend on the colleges/universities the student selects. The student will be asked to do one of the
following:
Complete the full application – The student will receive a link in an email to complete the college’s application, and will be asked to submit additional materials (letter of reference, personal essay, etc). The student should supply the requested materials.
Complete a partially completed or simplified application – The student will receive a link in an email to complete the college’s application, but it will ask fewer question and they may not be required to submit additional materials (letter of reference, personal essay, etc). The colleges have eliminated these requirements for Direct Admissions students. That said, some of these materials are used to determine institutional scholarships, so it would still be in the student’s best interest to submit them if they need financial aid.
Complete an additional information form, but not the application – The student will receive a link in an email to complete the college’s “additional information requested form” but not an application and will not be asked to submit additional materials (letter of reference, personal essay, etc.). The colleges haveeliminated these steps for Direct Admissions students.
Which colleges/universities are participating in this program?
There are 55 Minnesota colleges and universities participating, including all of the Minnesota State community and technical colleges and universities; tribal colleges; the University of Minnesota campuses at Crookston, Duluth, Morris, and Rochester; Dunwoody College of Technology; Northwestern Health Sciences University; and
many of the state's private, non-profit colleges. The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Macalester, Saint Olaf, and Carleton are not participating.
For additional questions, see link here