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Administrator’s Corner by Jeff Halverson

We’re excited to announce the return of the Direct Admissions program at Albert Lea High School. This initiative, now in its third year at the state level and second year at ALHS, has seen great success across Minnesota by streamlining the college application process. Currently, 119 state high schools and 55 Minnesota colleges and universities are participating.

During the 2023-24 school year, 63 seniors at Albert Lea High School participated in the Direct Admissions program. This initiative simplifies the college acceptance process, making higher education more accessible to our students.

The Direct Admissions program, coordinated by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, is a collaborative effort between the Minnesota Department of Education, select high schools and participating colleges and universities. This program is funded by the state of Minnesota, and we are enthusiastic about the positive impact it will have on the college admissions experience for our ALHS 12th graders.

The primary objective of the Direct Admissions program is to ensure that graduating seniors are well-informed about their multiple college options within Minnesota. The program encompasses 55 public and private two-year and four-year colleges and universities across the state. These institutions offer various educational pathways, including vocational training, associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees. With Direct Admissions, our aim is to alleviate the anxiety associated with accessing higher education. Through experience in the Direct Admissions process pre-identifying schools, students can rest assured that once they apply to the specific school(s), they have already met the admissions standards for the colleges specified in their Direct Admissions acceptance letters.

Eligibility for the program is determined by students’ progress towards graduation and their performance in core high school academic courses throughout their high school years. In the coming weeks, students will have the opportunity to choose from a list of schools based on their academic record and personal interests. These selections will then be sent to the Office of Higher Education for review. Subsequently, students will be notified of the schools that have offered them ‘direct admission.’ While students will still need to complete the traditional application process with their chosen school(s), they will do so with the confidence of having been ‘pre-selected.’ Additionally, students participating in the Direct Admissions process will not be required to pay application fees for any of the colleges they explore through this program.

Current 12th-grade students who are on track to graduate will receive a survey during their October FLEX Advisory classes. This survey allows students to express their college admissions interests.

Participation in the Direct Admissions program is entirely voluntary, with no consequences for those who choose not to take part.

We’re excited to offer this program again this year to our ALHS 12th grade students.

Jeff Halverson is executive director of careers, technology and innovation.