All Utah high school students are now guaranteed entrance to higher education schools

The Utah System of Higher Education will now admit all Utah high school students, regardless of GPA, to at least one of the state’s 16 public higher education institutions.

“Admit Utah” is the state’s first simplified and assured admissions effort, serving as a central point for students, families, and educators as they navigate the college admissions process.

“They’re guaranteed admission into at least one,” USHE spokeswoman Trisha Dugovic said. “That could be anywhere from a tech college up to the four-year universities.”

According to Dugovic, the University of Utah and Utah State University are the only public universities in the state with GPA requirements for admission. That means 14 colleges and universities will admit Utah students without a GPA requirement.

“Admit Utah marks a significant milestone in our efforts to ensure that every Utah student has access to a quality college education,” Cydni Tetro, a 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 confidently.”

Along with guaranteed college admission, the platform contains other features to simplify the college application process for kids.

This new platform is intended to help students in several ways, including providing counsel for indecisive pupils. The portal provides resources to help undecided students explore their options while also providing financial aid information, allowing them to find the greatest fit among in-state public institutions.

Additionally, the effort improves the integration of college preparation into Utah’s K-12 education system, “ensuring students are better informed and prepared for the next steps in their academic journey,” according to a USHE announcement.

The initiative’s introduction comes at an excellent time, since October is College Application and Financial Aid Awareness Month, providing seniors with real-time admissions information and help on completing college applications throughout October and beyond.

“This initiative paves the way for students to pursue their academic goals without unnecessary obstacles,” Geoffrey Landward, commissioner of higher education, stated. “We firmly believe that every Utah student deserves the opportunity to succeed in college and we are confident that ‘Admit Utah’ will be instrumental in making that a reality.”

As the effort progresses, it seeks to further streamline the admissions process by enhancing data connection with the state’s K-12 schools, as well as incorporating AI technology to provide students with real-time aid in navigating the typically difficult application process.