University of Memphis joins Common App’s Direct Admissions program

The University of Memphis campus as seen on a recent autumn afternoon. Photo credit: Wendy Adams

UofM First University in State to Offer Program Connecting More Students to Postsecondary Opportunities

November 14, 2023 – The University of Memphis recently became the first Tennessee institution of higher education to participate in Common App’s Direct Admissions program, giving students an accessible and equitable college enrollment experience. Common App is now available at 70 universities across the country, providing over 200,000 first-generation and low- and middle-income students who are college-interested with proactive admissions offers.

“Providing opportunity for all through access to higher education is a core tenet at the University of Memphis,” said University of Memphis Provost Dr. David Russomanno. “Common App will help us further advance that tenet, and we look forward to the many positive outcomes this partnership will create.”

Common App’s Direct Admissions program also includes outreach and resources to families and counselors who have students receiving a direct admission offer.

“We are excited for the University of Memphis to join our Direct Admissions program, where even more students will now know that they are worthy and wanted on a college campus,” said Jenny Rickard, President & CEO of Common App. “Overall, Direct Admissions is about changing the narrative of a college education from one of scarcity to one of opportunity by ensuring students know that college opportunity is an abundant resource—and one that’s available to them.”

Common App has piloted its Direct Admissions program since 2021, offering admission to students who created a Common App account and provided enough academic information but had not yet completed all their open applications. The latest iteration of the pilot offered admission to 33,000 students at 14 participating institutions, and over 800 students accepted the offer. Results showed the impacts of the intervention were strongest for Black, Hispanic and first-generation students.

To date, the University of Memphis has extended 3,130 offers to direct admission-eligible applicants. The UofM will release another round of direct-admission offers in the coming weeks. 

Nestled in the center of the city, the University of Memphis offers degrees in over 220 areas of study with nearly 50 nationally ranked programs. Students receive the perfect blend of excellence and affordability at an institution that values the student experience. With over 350 student clubs and organizations, Tigers never miss a beat inside or outside the classroom.

For more information about the University of Memphis or the admissions process, visit memphis.edu/admissions.

###Media Contact:

Jennifer Godwin

Director of Media & Public Relations

jcgodwin@memphis.edu
(o) 901.678.4822

(m) 501.529.7482

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