High school students can submit their grade point average, class rank, and standardized test scores to determine which Texas public universities would accept them. Credit: Aswad Walker

Texas high school students now have a new way to navigate the often daunting college admissions process. Thanks to a tool called Direct Admissions, launched by state leaders, students can determine which of the state’s public universities will accept them based on their academic credentials before applying.

This innovative platform is designed to simplify the college application experience and reduce some of the barriers that keep students from applying. Higher education officials believe it will encourage more students to pursue higher education, regardless of their background.

As Sarah Keyton, Interim Commissioner of Higher Education, said in an official statement, “Direct Admissions can reduce time, boost confidence, and increase transparency, encouraging Texans who might not otherwise consider college to take the next step.”

How It Works

Students can enter key academic data, such as their class rank, GPA, and standardized test scores, into the state’s college and career website, My Texas Future. From there, they will receive a list of participating universities automatically accepting them.

This feature becomes available to students by the end of their junior year, giving them ample time to assess their options before senior year applications. While Direct Admissions can show students where they’re already qualified for acceptance, they still need to complete the official application process to verify their academic details.

Traditional applications remain an option for students who may not qualify for automatic admission at certain schools. This allows them to apply based on other aspects of their profile, such as extracurricular activities, essays, or letters of recommendation.

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

The tool is expected to make applying to college less intimidating, especially for first-generation college students or students from underrepresented backgrounds who may not know where to start. By providing clear-cut information on which schools will accept them based on their credentials, the hope is that more students will feel confident about applying to college.

Thirty-one of Texas’ public universities are participating in the Direct Admissions program. This includes major flagship schools like the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, and most regional public universities. The widespread participation of schools across the state means students have a broad range of options to consider when planning their next steps after high school.

The Lumina Foundation provided a $250,000 grant to support the Direct Admissions project as part of The Great Admissions Redesign initiative. The initiative addresses recent changes in college admissions, including the Supreme Court’s ban on race use, test-optional policies, and declining enrollment rates. Texas also launched My Texas Future, a comprehensive college planning website.

Thirty-one universities currently participate in Direct Admissions:

  1. Angelo State University
  2. Lamar University
  3. Midwestern State University
  4. Prairie View A&M University
  5. Sam Houston State University
  6. Stephen F. Austin State University
  7. Sul Ross State University
  8. Tarleton State University
  9. Texas A&M University-College Station
  10. Texas A&M University-Commerce
  11. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
  12. Texas A&M University-International
  13. Texas A&M University-Kingsville
  14. Texas A&M University-San Antonio
  15. Texas A&M University-Texarkana
  16. Texas Southern University
  17. Texas State University
  18. Texas Tech University
  19. Texas Women’s University
  20. The University of Texas at Austin
  21. The University of Texas at Dallas
  22. The University of Texas at El Paso
  23. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
  24. The University of Texas Permian Basin
  25. The University of Texas at San Antonio
  26. University of Houston
  27. University of Houston-Clear Lake
  28. University of Houston-Downtown
  29. University of Houston-Victoria
  30. University of North Texas
  31. West Texas A&M University

I've been with The Defender since August 2019. I'm a long-time sportswriter who has covered everything from college sports to the Texans and Rockets during my 16 years of living in the Houston market....