Get direct admissions to college
Complete your Common App profile, and you may receive admission offers from participating colleges before you even submit an application.
Get direct admissions to college
Complete your Common App profile, and you may receive admission offers from participating colleges before you even submit an application.
1. Complete basic information in Common App
First, you’ll answer questions about your education, family, GPA, citizenship, Common App fee waiver eligibility, and your parents' education. Participating colleges use this information to determine whether you meet their admissions criteria.
2. Receive direct admission offers
Once you complete these questions, you could receive offers from participating colleges in as little as one week if you qualify. You'll find your offers in the direct admissions section of your Common App account, and you will also receive an email notification. Each offer is based on the individual college's admissions criteria.
3. Explore your options
Review each college to learn more about their academic programs, campus life, location, scholarships, financial aid opportunities, and application requirements. Take your time deciding which colleges are the best fit for your goals. Your offers may include guaranteed financial aid!
4. Complete and submit your application
When you're ready to accept an offer, submit your Common App to the college. Applying to colleges where you’ve received direct admission is free. Requirements vary by institution, so be sure to review the details of each offer. After you submit your application, colleges verify your information and will respond with an official notice confirming your admission.
5. Choose what's right for you
A direct admissions offer isn't binding, so you are not required to enroll. You can still apply to other colleges, compare your options, and decide which school is the best fit for you before making your final enrollment decision.
You may be eligible if you plan to start college in the fall or spring of the upcoming school year and your permanent home address is in the U.S. or one of its territories. To qualify, you need to answer questions in Common App about your citizenship, GPA, Common App fee waiver eligibility, and your parents' education. Participating colleges use this information to determine whether you meet their admissions criteria.
It can take up to a week after you complete your profile, family, and education questions. New offers go out from September through May, so it’s worth checking back more than once.
Not yet. An offer means a college believes you meet their basic requirements, not that your spot is official. To move forward, submit your application before that college’s deadline, and the college will verify your information before finalizing anything. Every offer is non-binding, so you’re never required to enroll.
It depends on the college. Some send an acceptance email within a few days, while others wait and send all their acceptance letters together in the spring. Check with each college to learn their specific timeline.
Take a look at the list of colleges participating in Common App Direct Admissions to explore college-specific perks and other details.
You can still apply the traditional way. Direct admissions is one more path, not the only one.