No application needed: UWGB first in state to admit all 2024 Green Bay School District graduating seniors
Danielle DuClos
GREEN BAY ― Starting next year, no Green Bay School District seniors will need to apply to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. They will already be admitted.
UW-Green Bay is the state's first higher education institution to do away with the application process for an entire school district of students. About 1,325 students will be directly admitted next year.
UWGB and the district announced a the partnership Monday where university career counselors will help students enroll in classes and degree programs right in the high schools.
The university "believes that is the goal of the university to make sure that people who want education can get it," said the university's chancellor, Michael Alexander.
UWGB is ahead of other UW System campuses which have considered direct admissions but have yet to implement the practice.
It is also one of the few UW schools that is experiencing enrollment increases.
While the system saw a 1% overall decrease in enrollment compared to last year, UWGB has grown by 3% across its four campuses; it's seventh year of continued growth. At its locations in Green Bay, Marinette, Manitowoc and Sheboygan, there were 10,115 total students enrolled for the fall 2022 semester, according to first day of class enrollment counts.
The university had a direct admissions pilot program this year for 31 students, of which 21 have committed to attend UWGB with the other 10 selecting different colleges.
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Direct admissions is for all students in the district, but the university is especially focused on eliminating barriers for students who want to stay in the Green Bay area, can't afford the cost of living on campus and want to work while pursuing their degree.
"UW-Green Bay's direct admissions initiative removed the application process that for some students may feel like an overwhelming barrier to overcome in order to pursue any type of higher education dream, especially for students who may be the first in their families to graduate from high school," said Green Bay School District interim Superintendent Vicki Bayer.
While the university doesn't have an application fee for undergraduates and removed the $50 payment a few years ago, direct admissions removes the burden of having to fill out a traditional college application that focuses on grades, school involvement, coursework and work experience.
"If you've tried to fill out a higher education application, or to fill out FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) financial aid form, it can be complicated, right?" Alexander said. "And rather have a student worry about whether or not they're getting in, what we're saying is a student can now raise their hand and say, 'I'd like to come.' And then we have amazing career coaches and advisers who can work with them."
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What should parents and students do if they want to take advantage of the direct admissions?
More information about direct admissions is scheduled to go out to district families in May, according to Jennifer Jones, assistant vice chancellor for enrollment management at UWGB.
But for those students who are interested in going to UWGB, Jones said they should let their high school counselor or teacher know they're interested in learning more about enrolling.
UWGB has career counselors who will come to the the district's high schools multiple times a week to talk with students and families about what it would entail to enroll, financial support and degree options that are available for them.
"Students need to raise their hand and say, 'Hey, I'm interested in learning more.'" Jones said. "That's kind of a scary step, so influences in their lives like their parents, their family, their grandparents, aunts, and uncles, you can be the people to walk alongside them in that journey."
Danielle DuClos is a Report for America corps member who covers K-12 education for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Contact her at dduclos@gannett.com. Follow on Twitter @danielle_duclos. You can directly support her work with a tax-deductible donation at GreenBayPressGazette.com/RFA or by check made out to The GroundTruth Project with subject line Report for America Green Bay Press Gazette Campaign. Address: The GroundTruth Project, Lockbox Services, 9450 SW Gemini Dr, PMB 46837, Beaverton, Oregon 97008-7105.