University of Texas Launches Direct Admissions Tool for Students

University of Texas Launches Direct Admissions Tool

AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — Texas high school students will now be able to see which of the state’s public universities would accept them based on their credentials before they fill out a college application, state leaders announced Friday. The new tool, called Direct Admissions, is meant to streamline the college application process and remove some of the challenges that can make students hesitant to apply, higher education officials say.

“Direct Admissions has the potential to reduce time, boost confidence, and increase transparency, encouraging Texans who might not otherwise consider college to take the next step,” Interim Commissioner of Higher Education Sarah Keyton said in a press release. Students can plug their class rank, grade point average, and standardized test scores into the state’s college and career website, My Texas Future, to get a list of the participating universities to which they’d be accepted. Students can access the information starting at the end of their junior year of high school.

Once a student learns which schools would admit them via Direct Admissions, they still need to apply to verify their academic information. If they don't qualify for direct admission at a specific university, they may still apply through the traditional application process.

Participating Universities

• Thirty-one public universities in the state are participating, including:
• University of Texas at Austin
• Texas A&M University
• Most regional public universities

Governor Greg Abbott emphasized that “with the launch of Direct Admissions, the college application process will be made easier for young students and their families to choose the best Texas college or university for them to lead successful lives in our state.”

This initiative was developed with a $250,000 grant from the Lumina Foundation as part of a competition called The Great Admissions Redesign, reflecting significant changes in admissions processes across the nation.

Additional Resources

Last summer, the state launched My Texas Future, a website to advise prospective students about financial aid, explore careers and programs, and plan for college. This new tool and resources aim to empower Texas students and support their educational journeys.