Utah Launches Broad-Based College Admission Guarantee

The State of Utah Guarantees College Admission for High School Graduates

The state of Utah is guaranteeing every high school graduate in the state can gain admission to one of its public higher education institutions for next year.

Introduction of “Admit Utah” Program

Introduced last Friday, “Admit Utah” promises high school grads they will be admitted to at least one of the 16 public universities, colleges or technical colleges in the state. The offer appears to be the most expansive of any state’s guaranteed college admission programs.

Admission Requirements and Platform

Because the institutions have different GPA admission requirements, the AdmitUtah.org platform will prompt students to enter their GPA and then direct them to those public institutions where they will be guaranteed admission.

Eligibility and Application Process

To be eligible, a student must have graduated from high school or earned a GED and complete applications to those schools that he or she is considering.

Importance of “Admit Utah”

“Admit Utah marks a significant milestone in our efforts to ensure that every Utah student has access to a quality college education,” Cydni Tetro, Utah Board of Higher Education member, said in a statement. “This platform will provide students with even more clarity and simplicity in the college application process, empowering them to pursue their educational aspirations with confidence.”

Additional Resources and Integration

In addition to guaranteed college admission, the new platform includes other resources to assist undecided students explore their college options, provide guidance about financial aid, and help them find the best fit among in-state public institutions. The program also integrates college preparation into Utah’s K-12 education system and promises stronger data integration with those schools.

Similar Programs and Questions Raised

Utah becomes the latest state to offer some form of direct or guaranteed admissions to its public colleges. Idaho was the first state to do so, starting its program in 2015. Two major questions raised about these streamlined admissions programs are whether they increase an institution’s yield and how they affect the admission and enrollment of traditionally underrepresented minority students.

Conclusion

According to Niche, its direct 2024 admissions program, in which 91 institutions participated, resulted in nearly 930,000 students receiving at least one acceptance and scholarship offer, with the average number of offers per student at just over five. One large-scale study suggests that direct admissions can boost applications, but, by itself, has only a small effect on enrollment. The jury is also still out on how well students who enroll through direct admissions perform academically once they are in college. That’s a crucial question, and the scale of Utah’s program makes it a good candidate to provide some answers.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The article discusses the state of Utah’s initiative to guarantee college admission to high school graduates, which is directly related to SDG 4 – Quality Education. The program aims to provide every Utah student with access to a quality college education, reducing inequalities in higher education opportunities (SDG 10).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university.
• SDG 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and action in this regard.

The initiative in Utah aligns with SDG 4.3 as it aims to provide equal access to affordable and quality higher education for all high school graduates. It also contributes to SDG 10.3 by reducing inequalities in college admissions and promoting equal opportunities for students.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of high school graduates admitted to public higher education institutions in Utah.
• Percentage of high school graduates from different demographic backgrounds admitted to public higher education institutions.
• Reduction in the number of discriminatory practices and policies in college admissions.

The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators, but potential indicators to measure progress towards the identified targets could include the number of high school graduates admitted to public higher education institutions in Utah, the percentage of high school graduates from different demographic backgrounds admitted to these institutions, and the reduction in discriminatory practices and policies in college admissions.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: forbes.com