Select Rising Seniors Earn Early Admission to UTEP
New direct admission program sidesteps application process, guarantees high schoolers a spot
EL PASO, Texas (July 2, 2024) – Select rising seniors will soon receive a surprise in their mailbox — an admission offer to The University of Texas at El Paso. With the help of their high schools, the students were identified as high achievers who meet UTEP’s admissions requirements and have the potential to succeed in college.
“This offer of admission is extended to select students — without even having to apply,” said UTEP President Heather Wilson. “I hope it gives them the confidence to take that next step and pursue a bachelor’s degree.”
The admission offers are part of a new Direct Admission Program launched by UTEP in partnership with the El Paso and Ysleta Independent School Districts, as well as Harmony Public Schools and Northwest Early College High School.
The program, which allows top performing students to sidestep the application process, was created to remove barriers for students interested in pursuing a higher education.
“Over 90% of students in the region submit applications to attend UTEP,” said Vice President for Enrollment Management Amanda Vasquez-Vicario, Ph.D. “However, too many are not completing the application process and securing admission. I am excited to partner with our school districts to make the process easier for those who are academically prepared for college, so that we remove barriers and students take an important step toward earning a college degree.”
This July about 5,300 students preparing to start their senior year will receive admission offers for UTEP’s entering class of fall 2025. Those who accept the offer will be prompted to explore UTEP’s baccalaureate programs and share what major they are interested in pursuing. Students can then start their senior year of high school knowing they have already been accepted to college.
"We are fortunate to partner with UTEP on this impactful program as it empowers our hardworking seniors to pursue their dreams of postsecondary education by offering a clear pathway from high school to university," said Xavier De La Torre, superintendent of the Ysleta Independent School District. "By identifying qualified students early for admission to UTEP and allowing them to bypass the traditional hurdles of applying to college, this program creates an ideal opportunity for Ysleta ISD graduates to continue striving for success beyond high school."
“Harmony’s mission is to prepare each and every student for college and a career by providing a collaborative atmosphere with a strong emphasis on STEM,” said Harmony West Texas Area Superintendent Kamil Yilmaz. “UTEP has been enabling us to realize this mission. With the new Direct Admission Program, the process will be much smoother, and more importantly, it will be student centered to minimize the college admission stress to one of the best affordable universities in Texas.”
Canutillo Independent School District Superintendent Pedro Galaviz, added, “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with UTEP in our mutual efforts to streamline college-level instruction to students completing early-college coursework. Thanks to this collaboration, more students at Northwest Early College High School have direct access to high-quality instruction at the University and are therefore better prepared to tackle the challenges of post-secondary education. This program is transformative and will make a huge difference in the lives of our students and their families.”
“EPISD is profoundly appreciative of UTEP’s generous initiative to offer direct admission to 3,000 local rising seniors,” said Esther Hughes, facilitator of Advanced Academics at El Paso ISD. “This remarkable opportunity reflects UTEP's unwavering commitment to fostering academic excellence and creating pathways to higher education for our students, exemplifying the true spirit of collaboration and support. This partnership enriches the educational journey of our students and strengthens the bonds between our institutions, paving the way for continued success and shared achievements.”
About The University of Texas at El Paso
The University of Texas at El Paso is America’s leading Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, 84% of our 24,000 students are Hispanic, and more than half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP offers 170 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America.
Last Updated on July 02, 2024 at 12:00 AM | Originally published July 02, 2024
By MC Staff UTEP Marketing and Communications
