Top high school seniors about to get University of Utah spots without applying

A statue of the University of Utah logo is pictured on campus in Salt Lake City on Monday, January 15, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

This fall, some of Utah’s highest performing students will receive notice of a guaranteed spot from the state’s flagship university — before they even apply.

The unorthodox admissions are part of “Utah Direct,” a new model the University of Utah is testing this year. High school seniors with a GPA of at least 3.5 in the Canyons, Granite, Davis and Provo school districts qualify for the pilot, according to a news release .

Approximately 5,000 students are expected to be eligible for the guaranteed admission.

“We know the act of just applying to college can be daunting,” Steve Robinson, vice provost for enrollment management at the university said in the release. “Hopefully letting students know their admission to the U. is guaranteed before they even apply will reduce anxiety about the admissions process and help them feel better about going to college.”

The school districts are partnering with the U. in this effort, with counselors guiding students who receive the letter to ensure they take the credits necessary to graduate.

Though there’s a spot guaranteed for these students, they still need to apply to the university to kickstart their college journey at the University of Utah. Those who complete their applications early are scheduled to receive their official admission letter mid-fall, according to the release.

Applications are already open with a Dec. 1 deadline for early action date and merit scholarship consideration. Feb. 1 is the financial aid and scholarship priority deadline.

Some school districts praised the pilot, highlighting the impact it could have on students that face barriers while entering a higher education institution.

“Utah Direct is a really powerful message to our most at-risk students,” said Ben Horsley, Granite School District superintendent in the release. “The message is ‘we see the great work that you’re doing, you have incredible potential and we’d love to see you become a member of this fine institution and brighten your future.’”

DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST