Check it out: The University of Wisconsin system is considering automatically enrolling high school graduates into their system. That may sound insane, but there’s some logic to it.
Here’s Five Fast Facts on UW’s Automatic Enrollment:
- 🎓Hol’ Up - To be clear, they’re considering it. There is no plan yet. But it would be valid at all 13 colleges in the UW system. The practice is called “Direct Enrollment.”
- 🎒Algebra - Prior to 2013, 32% of Wisconsin high school grads enrolled immediately after they graduated. That was down to 27% in 2020. They’re trying to turn that number around.
- 📉Terms and Conditions Apply - Before you head to Facebook to rage post about handouts, there are some standards in play. Automatic enrollees must meet GPA or standardized test score requirements. So yes, you will need an IQ that is above room temperature.
- 👪Autofill - Officials say in the past, college applications were put onto students and parents to fill out applications and the process could be difficult. With the direct admission process, students, parents, and high school counselors are notified about an available spot. Guidance counselors also benefit because it gives them something to actually do for a few weeks.
- 🥔Been Done - Idaho, Hawaii and Minnesota all have direct admissions programs. Idaho’s started back in 2015. Wonder if they let you major in “potato?”
🔥Bottom line: Admit it: your immediate reaction is probably one of disgust. But if you look just under the surface, you’ll see this is about declining enrollment at Wisconsin colleges. Declining enrollment means less money coming into the system. It certainly gives everyone an equal chance to get into college, but it also gets that UW revenue back up. So it’s a win-win?
What do you think of Direct Enrollment?
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